OMAATUQ, whilst being a band with an extremely long name (made specifically to mess with the formatting of my website I’m sure) are also the brainchild of ex-The Crown lead man Johan Linstrand. “21st Century Killing Machine” is their first full-length release since the band’s original demo last year, and whilst not being spectacularly original, it certainly packs more than enough metal punch to flatten you like a steamroller.
Featuring Johan’s rasping vocals, and mixing elements of titanic thrash metal with the melodic sensibilities of the Gothenberg sound, “OMA” have created a delightfully crushing heavy metal machine. The beauty is there’s something for everyone here – with influences apparent from the likes of ENTOMBED or THE HAUNTED, right through to melodies of ARCH ENEMY and DARK TRANQUILLITY.
Album opener “Killing Machine” has to be one of the first truly immense metal anthems of 2006, featuring riff-work that could put your head in a vice and crush it like a watermelon. Whilst the rest of the album doesn’t quite live up to this sort of level, it certainly isn’t far off, only really dipping slightly in the middle section – due to some of the songs being a little too similar in tempo. Things soon pick up with the menacing “Behind the Church”, the sludgy army-invasion of “Branded By Iron” and the triple-deluxe nailgun-to-the-face that is “So True So Grim So Real”. (A song title proving at least the band have a sense of humour – I hope).
Another special mention has to go the fabulous production – making this sound one of the heaviest, clearest, pristine slabs of face shredding metal to pass my earlobes in a long while. Whilst not being particularly original or new in direction, what it does do - it certainly manages with style. One Man Army and the Undead Quartet see in the new year with an excellent start, and a well deserved kick up the arse for 2006. Definitely one to catch supporting CHILDREN OF BODOM on their upcoming UK tour.
Standout Tracks: Killing Machine, Behind the Church, So Grim So True So Real.
