Review by Saxy S for Bad Omens - The Death of Peace of Mind (2022)

I must admit, I was less than impressed by the new Bad Omens album when I heard it initially. The record has quite a drastic whiplash effect that I was not prepared for, nor did I want in my alternative metalcore album. The first half of the record is solid with bangers like "CONCRETE JUNGLE" "Nowhere To Go" and "THE DEATH OF PEACE OF MIND". But about halfway through the record, Bad Omens hit a detour and split the second half between more alt-metalcore and quasi Billie Eilish elctropop and cyber metal.

At first it was very strange as these ideas were kept mostly isolated from one another. You would no doubt hear elements of the atmospheric electronics and synths during the softer verses on the first half, but then the record throws the dichotomy out the window and produces full blown elctropop songs like "bad decisions" and "somebody else." "What do you want from me?" might be the most interesting track on the album as it goes more cyber metal. This leaves the last two tracks "ARTIFICIAL SUICIDE" and "Miracle" to close out the album on an odd note. The former is a alt-metalcore slammer while the later is a hybrid of sorts. I thought "What do you want from me?" was the hybrid to close out the album, but the last two tracks came out of nowhere and left the record feeling unfinished.

Upon repeated listens however, I started noticing other elements. Mostly production wise, where the alternative metalcore sound that has become popularized by Bring Me The Horizon makes its presence felt early. However, unlike so many BMTH clones (and even BMTH themselves) Bad Omens are pretty decent songwriters with a knack for productive flare. Sure the kick drum is overpowered and the guitar/bass independence is severely lacking, but the melodies are fruitful, the vocals don't take a backseat to instrumental wanking, and the -core breakdowns are sparse, making each one, especially on the back half with its fewer metal tracks, feel rewarding to the listener. That being said, the album runs a tad too long, the final two tracks feel like addendum's to the real closer "What do you want from me?" and leave the album feeling unfinished as a whole, and the songs "Like A Villain" and "IDWT$" are a little too cringy for my taste.

Bad Omens do not have to worry about the wrath of metal fans rejecting them for commercializing since they were already here from the start. And I appreciate the progression that Bad Omens put on display with THE DEATH OF PEACE OF MIND. It's a solid listen for alternative metalcore fans, but structural issues and a lackluster back half may keep you from enjoying it any more.

Best Songs: CONCRETE JUNGLE, Nowhere To Go, THE DEATH OF PEACE OF MIND, Just Pretend, Somebody else.