For those of you who miss the vibes of the late-90s and early-2000s but prefer the production values of 2021, Ovlier might just be the band to check out. The band’s sound sits at the intersection of metalcore and alternative metal, with the slightest hint of nu-metal. This places them along the same lines as Chimaira, Soulfly, and Devildriver, harnessing some of the harshness of metalcore while adding in clean choruses that would sit well alongside much of the radio rock from the turn of the century. That said, the guitar tone owes a great deal to the Sumerian Records-sound from djent’s heyday in the early 2010s.
The band’s new video for “Bulletproof” has some clear parallels to the late-90s well, as Fight Club comparisons are unavoidable. As for the overall message, the singer Joey Arena states that:
“We live in an age where everything has become politicized; from image to virus. I have watched both bands and people label and segregate one another solely based on a difference of not character but opinion. We are force-fed so much false information by the media, although many are aware, we still have lost some humanity.”
He goes on to say that
“I look forward to the day people can look to grey area and realize there’s more to it all. “Bulletproof” is a call to my fellow man to remove the veils and look into the grey. These corrupt politicians are playing you. I don’t care what side you stand on or what biased feelings you hold to your “party.” … Our “leaders” don’t want unity, for that becomes a threat to their agenda. I’m fed up. I want the old model to fall so we can build in its stead. It’s time for change and that starts with us.”
A timeless truth for sure. The more we hate and despise each other, who are we really helping? What class benefits the most from reductionist, Manichean thinking? Something to think about.
Anyway. Check out the video below:
