The Ongoing Concept

Longtime Solid State fans will probably remember the band Once Nothing, an act who took metalcore and added a distinct Western tinge to it. It was a lot of fun, but they broke up not long after. Now, they have a spiritual successor of sorts with a brand new act, The Ongoing Concept, and boy are they fun. This is breakneck, all stops out metalcore with just the right amount of country western swagger. It's hard not to break into a smile after hearing the first thirty seconds of "Cover Girl." While the band isn't instrumentally very unique, they make up for it with speed, attitude, and a really solid and diverse vocal approach. Their free-wheeling vocal and lyrical style reminded me a lot of classic Showbread. Thankfully, the western saloon-style touches (like the occasional banjo and honky tonk piano) legitimately add to the music and don't seem gimmicky. The Solid State band lineup of late has been a little stale, so we can be thankful for The Ongoing Concept taking it up a notch with their off-the-wall yet extremely fun music.