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Still operating under the radar at the start of 2022 and strikingly omnipresent in 2024, Bad Omens became a global sensation almost overnight and with that come enormous expectations, responsobilities and obsession. That is not to say they were not a fantastic band with three exemplary metalcore albums prior to that, but what The Death Of Peace Of Mind did for them is almost unparalleled in the modern metal and alternative scenes. Easily one of the best releases not just in 2022 but in quite some time, it catapulted the band to the world of multiple chart-topping hits, record-breaking sales, cover stories, Tik-Tok trends and uncontainable fan hysteria reserved only for the biggest names in the industry.
The way things are now, one could argue the only other band to attract such attention in 2024 is Bring Me The Horizon, and although the Sheffield juggernauts seem unreachable at this point, they have a pretty solid successor in Bad Omens and their respective positions might not remain the same for much longer. Following the surprising and dominating premiere of NeX GEn last week now comes another huge and scheduled release, the only one that could possibly rival it for attention in the upcoming months - Bad Omens' hugely anticipated CONCRETE JUNGLE [OST] special drop. And with that comes all the euphoria, criticism, misunderstanding, confusion, hype and blind dedication you can expect.
Everyone that is remotely aware of the band already knows that aside from a charismatic frontman and brilliant musician, Noah Sebastian is also an extremely talented and artistic person overall, and has created a series of graphic novels based on their TDOPOM masterpiece, with CONCRETE JUNGLE acting as the official soundtrack album. As such, one might expect a sort of a deluxe collectable reissue more than a standalone release, with fair share of remixes and alternative versions of their recent hits as well as live performances. However, alongside them Bad Omens have prepared several new tracks, most of them easily some of the best the alternative metal scene has to offer so far this year, and for this reason I will treat it as a fresh LP and dive right into its rich soundscapes.
The remix and live parts are conveniently divided by instrumental interludes, with a perfectly wonderful "new" side of Bad Omens kickstarting CONCRETE JUNGLE. Named after one of their most complete and exemplary tracks, and suceeding a record that changed the game in 2022, this collection might appear irrelevant and sidetracked by major relases, but plays a huge role in the band's development, growth and positioning. Some people have been following them since their thunderous early days of self-titled metalcore excellence through the Finding God... era and rise to fame, whilst others joined in for all their recent alternative genre-defying sensual 'baddiecore' viral hits. Either way, boths camps are about to discover there are other sides to their favourite band and the choices aren't just between 'Dethrone' and 'Just Pretend' and Bad Omens can offer so much more.
Even from the few promo singles, one could smell the universal upset and general midunderstanging of what CONCRETE JUNGLE is meant to be, for it is absolutely brilliant for reasons that normally cause mass online upheaval in recent years. Fans of the past shouldn't get their hopes up for this is Bad Omens going deeper into territories as far away as conventional metalcore as possible. The Tik-Tok crowd will likely feel uneasy too, mostly about how experimental and unapologetically eclectic this collection is, contrary to algorithm-driven formulaic "octanecore" chart-toppers. This is not meant as pretentious or elitist, but Bad Omens are notorious for one of the absolute worst cult-like followings, so they need to be called out at every opportunity, even by Noah... Ironically, this is the crowd that sums up everything that is bad and rotten in modern metal world, but supports the one band that embodies everything good and hopeful in the contemporary scene.
And what is good is the ridiculously catchy collab with Poppy for the dystopian single 'V.A.N' executed to perfection and performed live with infectious ferocity, followed by the industrial masterclass in the vibey 'THE DRAIN', flirting ever so slightly with TDOPOM's main themes and backed by cult heroes HEALTH. It is the gritty realism and street swagger displayed by Bob Vylan on 'TERMS & CONDITIONS' over the subtle echoes of 'Artificial Suicide', seamlessly transitioning to the electrifying team-up with WARGASM for the uplifting 'HEDONIST [RECHARGED]'. It is the ominous yet beautiful goth rave in 'NERVOUS SYSTEM' and it is also the much more straightforward but equally brilliant 'ANYTHING > HUMAN', a collab with ERRA that is long overdue and will surely become the focal point of the relase. And it is also so much more as you dive deeper into the remix and then live parts of the OST.
All in all, CONCRETE JUNGLE is one of the best release of 2024 so far, without even being a "proper" LP or EP. It covers everything that has turned Bad Omens from talented but mediocre something-core enthusiasts into global trendsetters. about the playful disregard for all established rules, the recovered curiosity for cross-genre possibilities, the pop-centric mindstet in composition in general, the indie approach to all creative ideas, the healthy blend of available resources abd outlets, the DIY attitude to experiment and do what moves you as a band and not what the tastemakers will have you become.
Embracing Bad Omens heavy past and melodic present, CONCRETE JUNGLE is a dissection of the band's mindset, creative goal and approach as they propel their career into the future. Displaying a jawdropping array of influences and profficiency across countless music genres, it is also packed with subtle hints to previous album classics and hidden gems, as well as powerful collabs and exciting reworks. Sadly, when a band approaches the top of the game so sudden, unhealthy infatuation and aimless hatred are to be expected, but when a band drops a collection that is as risky and experimental with such confidence, it is also a clear sign that we are dealing with one of the future greats.
Bad Omens - 'CONCRETE JUNGLE [THE OST]
Country: United States
Released: 31 May 2024
Label: Sumerian Records
Tracklisting:
1. C:\Projects\CJOST\BEATDEATH
2. V.A.N (ft. Poppy)
3. THE DRAIN (ft. Health & Swarm)
4. TERMS & CONDITIONS (ft. Bob Vylan)
5. HEDONIST (RECHARGED) (ft. Wargasm)
6. EVEN0
7. LOADING SCREEN0
8. ANYTHING > HUMAN (ft. Erra)
9. DIGITAL FOOTPRINT
10. NERVOUS SYSTEM
11. C:\Projects\CJOST\FINDPEACE
12. ARTIFICIAL SUICIDE (UNZIPPED)
13. THE GREY (UNZIPPED)
14. THE DEATH OF PEACE OF MIND (WE ARE FURY PATCH)
15. THE DEATH OF PEACE OF MIND (SO WYLIE PATCH)
16. BAD DECISIONS (LOFI)
17. JUST PRETEND (CREDITS)
18. C:\Projects\CJOST\CLEARMIND
19. ARTIFICIAL SUICIDE (LIVE 2024)
20. LIKE A VILLAIN (LIVE 2024)
21. THE GREY (LIVE 2024)
22. WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM ME? (LIVE 2024)
23. NOWHERE TO GO (LIVE 2024)
24. V.A.N (LIVE 2024)
25. THE DEATH OF PEACE OF MIND (LIVE 2024)
26. JUST PRETEND (LIVE 2024)
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