UNDER BLACK SKY – A CONVERSATION WITH ONYX – THE SEER
By Ralph Beauchamp
Under Black Sky is a four piece modern rock/metal ensemble based out of New Orleans. The band just released a new single entitled “I’ll Show You” off their upcoming debut album Bad Blood. Under Black Sky‘s sound hits hard. It is full of infectious riffs and devastating melodic vocals. Every one of their songs carries a death punch. In addition, Under Black Sky uses Bad Blood as an avenue to foster their dystopian glimpse of the universe. A message definitely fit for the times.
Under Black Sky consists of Krysis (The Prophet -Vocals), Beast (The Executioner – Drums), Onyx (The Seer – Guitar) and Jaxx (The Redeemer – Bass). Each musician is an excellent player capable of laying down monstrous grooves and cinematic licks. “I’ll Show You” is a intense track with edgy inflections. Krysis’ vocals are imposing while still remaining accessible.. The guitars deliver subtle sonic explosions. The backbeat is huge with a dramatic feel. A previous single, “Firefly” showcases Under Black Sky‘s musical range. The vibe is crushing while the anthemic chorus is spectacular. Under Black Sky will be on top of your playlists in the very near future.
Onyx was kind enough to sit with AMP for this in-depth conversation.
AMP: Can you give our readers a brief history of the band?
ONYX: The band formed in 2023. Originally we were part of another group and reformed as Under Black Sky after Covid. We decided to rebrand not only the band but also created a whole new concept and identity. With our new team, we experimented with a new band persona. We first started out with painted faces but eventually we decided that wasn’t what we wanted. Then we tried the mask route which worked out fine. Definitely more our speed. Now, we try to cultivate a full immersive experience for our audiences with cool props and an imaginative storyline. We constructed an outline where the band is a beacon of hope in a post-apocalyptic world.
AMP: Your music truly has a brazen feel. How would you describe your sound?
ONYX: Melodic choruses with heavy guitar riffs. There is some screaming but it’s still understandable. We try to keep the dirty vocals to a minimum in order to have a wider appeal. Just recently, we lost Ozzy. What we try to do with our music is honor those amazing bands that came before us while remaining fresh and current. In addition, it’s nice to be able to pivot in many different directions. It makes us flexible and fluid. You never know what to expect.
AMP: Do you feel the mysterious personas the band has adapted enhances your singularity?
ONYX: We are just trying to distinguish ourselves in a crowded arena. Bands like Ghost and Sleep Token have seen success with this motif. It may seem like “follow the leader” but this option felt right for us. The anonymity of it creates the illusion we try to foster with our overall narrative. Plus, the mysteriousness of the whole vision is engaging.
AMP: “I’ll Show You” is your new single. Can you give us a little insight into the track?
ONYX: “I’ll Show You” is kind of what the title says. It’s kind of a “put up or shut up” moment for someone who is backed into a corner. The funny thing is that people see our image and immediately think dark and menacing but if you listen to our lyrics, they leave a positive message even though they are draped around heavy riffs. The whole message of “I’ll Show You” is for people who are treed upon to come out swinging and change the game. The song is totally alive with a fabulous intro and dynamic chords.
AMP: In similar fashion, your debut album, Bad Blood, drops 10/24. How psyched are you?
ONYX: The concept for our album and our other single “Firefly” came from the HBO series, “The Last Of Us”. “Firefly” embodies where the entire record is heading. The tracks on the full length fall under our plot line of a post-apocalyptic scenario. The world we created is called “The Order” We flipped the notion of being a “firefly” into a positive rebellious force to revolt against “The Order”. Bad Blood just took on a life of its own. We are really excited to have our music finally out.
AMP: What’s the band’s internal energy like?
ONYX: It’s great! We all fill certain roles. Jaxx is the joker. Krysis is more of the mouthpiece, on and off stage. Our drummer Beast is like the muscle tech. He creates a lot of our behind the scene tech requirements. I’m the logistic guy. We also have a touring member, Torch, who rounds out the lineup. It’s a fantastic vibe, both in the studio and on the road. We all have been battle tested, so we know what to expect. We’ve been through it all.
AMP: What are your thoughts on the current hard rock/metal scene?
ONYX: I believe people need to give new music a chance. The fans have to give the same energy and love to current bands as they do to Metallica and AC/DC. Otherwise the industry is setting itself up for disaster. Contemporary groups, like ourselves, have to push that torch forward. The music listening public has to embrace the new rock scene in order for it to survive.
AMP: How does Under Black Sky approach the use of social media?
ONYX: We push on quite a few social media platforms with Instagram being the major outlet. You have to learn how to utilize your content in a meaningful way in order to achieve the maximum exposure. We have become pretty adept using editing to our advantage and hitting the right spaces. It’s definitely a tool worth using. You just have to be able to use it correctly.
AMP: If you could collaborate with any current band, who would it be and why?
ONYX: I think Sleep Token just because they fit well with what we are currently doing. We both exude dark concepts with heavy music yet still remain melodic.
AMP: What’s next for Under Black Sky?
ONYX: We have a short tour coming up later this month to promote the new album, Bad Blood. Bad Blood drops on the 24th. Then, we will probably use the winter to further expand our ideas on “The Order” and how to bring those thoughts to life. Hopefully we figure it all out and the spring brings more live dates and festivals. Our music is ready and we are so jacked to play our songs out to as many people as we can. It’s a truly exciting time.
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