Post-metal powerhouse O ZORN! will release its profoundly introspective album Vermillion Haze on March 15 via Hard Drugs/Seeing Red Records. Beyond the glitz of Los Angeles, the band delves into the city’s darker, chaotic underbelly, magnified by the pandemic’s aftermath.
Fronted by the charismatic Bill Kielty and backed by a formidable lineup, O ZORN! crafts a sound that captures the essence of a dystopian reality, echoing the struggles of addiction, loss, and resilience. Their lead single, “Never Saw It Coming,” is a raw tribute to the unseen battles of mental illness and the devastating impact of addiction, inspired by the tragic loss of a friend.
Kielty tells Decibel, “Our last record was released on March 20, 2020, during the pandemic. We were just waiting to get our show on the road, but unfortunately, that wait was too much for the other two members. One relapsed into drugs, and the other had to leave with his mental demons. Thankfully, I secured another drummer and figured I’d start writing the next album. We hashed it out for roughly a year, and then, in December 2021, headed to Tampa to work with our friend Ryan Boesch at Candor Studios. 18 months of cross-country trips later, we were tracked, mixed, and wrapped up.”
“As for the writing itself,” he continues, “Everything that was going on when we put this record together weighs heavily on the album’s overall vibe. Los Angeles and Florida were insane. The political atmosphere, the riots, the division, and the COVID deaths. It was a stressful, confusing time for everyone. For me, the sound of this album represents that period well.”
A testament to the band’s evolution, Vermillion Haze offers a heavy yet melodic exploration of life’s darker shades. It reminds us that amidst hardship, there’s hope, and through its music, O ZORN! shines a light on the authentic lived experience of Los Angeles, far from its shimmering facade.
Hear the excellent Vermillion Haze ahead of its Friday release, right here, right now: