''Omen'' is the third
EP by American
metalcore
Metalcore (also known as metallic hardcore) is a fusion music genre that combines elements of extreme metal and hardcore punk. As with other styles blending metal and hardcore, such as crust punk and grindcore, metalcore is noted for its use of ...
band
Within the Ruins. It was released on May 24, 2011 through
Victory Records. It features two new songs and two covers. ''Omen'' would be the band's last release featuring Mike Beaujean on bass and Mike Van Schelt on guitar. Additionally, it would be the last release to feature two guitarists, with Cocchi taking over sole guitar duties in the third studio album ''
Elite
In political and sociological theory, the elite (french: élite, from la, eligere, to select or to sort out) are a small group of powerful people who hold a disproportionate amount of wealth, privilege, political power, or skill in a group. D ...
''. It would also be the band's last release for
Victory Records, as they would go on to sign with
eOne Music and
Good Fight Music in November 2012.
Following ''Omen''s initial release,
Victory Records released limited edition
vinyl pressings in three colors, all of which included an
MP3 download card. Of the three colors offered, only 600 red, 300 green, and 100 "clear with black smoke" were pressed.
On October 11, 2011, the band released a music video for the song "Controller". The video featured scenes of the band performing the song and performing a ''
Reservoir Dogs''–inspired
getaway scene.
Background
Beginning on March 2, 2011,
Victory Records posted a series of videos to their YouTube channel following the band through pre-production of their new EP, which would become ''Omen''.
On the band's choice to cover
Metallica
Metallica is an American heavy metal band. The band was formed in 1981 in Los Angeles by vocalist/guitarist James Hetfield and drummer Lars Ulrich, and has been based in San Francisco for most of its career. The band's fast tempos, instrume ...
's "Fight Fire with Fire", Cocchi stated:
"Of course, Metallica was up there on the list, and after spending some time going through their discography we thought 'Fight Fire With Fire' would suit us best. It's a fun song, fast as fuck, and a bit challenging. It's also not as popular as a lot of their other songs. We wanted to choose a Metallica song that no one's really done before."
On the band's choice to cover
Kansas' "
Carry On Wayward Son", Cocchi stated:
"I don't think it's something that anyone would expect us to do, which is why we chose it. We spent a good amount of time arranging the song and attempting to add some new elements to it without completely 'butchering' it. It's definitely going to be a challenge for us, but that's the point after all."
Critical reception
''HeavyBlogIsHeavy'' writer Jimmy Rowe gave the EP a 4/5, calling "Controller" and "Infamy" his favorite two Within the Ruins songs to date. Conversely, he found the
Kansas cover out of place following the two "insane tracks" that preceded it. He stated:
"Even though the two covers (which are half of the EP) are quite lackluster, the two new songs are the best two songs the band has written, so this EP is definitely worth a listen, just treat this like a 2-track EP. If anything, it made me look forward to their next release, which is bound to be amazing."
Track listing
Personnel
;Within the Ruins
* Tim Goergen – vocals
* Joe Cocchi – guitars, production
* Jay Van Schelt – guitars
* Mike Beaujean – bass
* Kevin McGuill – drums
References
{{Within the Ruins
2011 EPs
Within the Ruins albums
Victory Records EPs