Earth Stands Still: Examining No Omega, one of hardcore’s most underappreciated bands

In 2013, melodic hardcore upstarts Capsize and Swedish hardcore/screamo/metal band No Omega embarked on a US tour. While both bands were at the time relatively small, seeing them play in a tiny venue at the Skatepark of Tampa was a surreal experience I treasure to this day. No Omega in particular struck me as a special band. While their sound is hard to pin down, it combines elements of black metal, screamo, post-metal, post-rock, and post-hardcore that often coalesces into violent and dissonant climaxes. Imagine a more post-hardcore version of older Deafheaven, and you’re somewhat close to what No Omega sounds like.

No Omega’s 2013 debut sophomore full-length Shame is full of these moments of violence. For instance, the one-two punch of “Earth Stands Still” and “Vacants” from Shame are rife with some of the most incendiary yet emotive blackened post-hardcore you’re likely to hear. Yet, there are moments of ambience as well. Listen to the ending of “Woodlands, Part II” for instance. If No Omega really wanted to, they could easily expand tracks like this into slower, more expansive and lengthy post-metal sections, a la Cult Of Luna or Isis.

Generally, though, that’s not No Omega’s tagline. 2017’s Culture, while maintaining a marked consistency to their older work and previous EP’s, does contain a track that might fit this description. One of the rare No Omega songs to reach 4+ minutes in length, tracks like this are where they really display a keen sense of ebb and flow, of darkness with a tiny bit of light reaching in, or whatever cliched metaphor you’d like to insert here.

With their passion for animal rights and a vegan lifestyle, not to mention sociopolitical discussion of the world at large, No Omega have already made their mark on the heavy music landscape. This is before even discussing their music which, while abrasive and crushing at times, is a sort of soul catharsis for the listener. Long after Shame and Culture run through their playtimes, one thing is for certain – No Omega’s passionate brand of hardcore will make a mark on you.