Ontologic’s latest album Heading To The Outer Realm marks a continuation of the quirky, funky prog-rock they have forged with their advanced musical abilities. Playing their instruments at speedy tempos coupled with rangy lead vocals and soulful raps is a winsome feature of this duo. Yes, Ontologics is made up of two guy, Ian Campopiano and Matthew Walshe, Providence, Rhode Island based musicians weaned on 1970s and 1980s progressive rock bands like Genesis, Yes, and King Crimson.
Opening track “Upside In Downside Out” is a tightly woven piece of music. The rhythm section keeps its compact groove constantly in fluid motion. That creates a fantastic push for a racing lead guitar line, a burbling synth line, funky vocals, and even a rap. All of these moving parts come at the listener with exciting stabs. One can picture a fiercely talented drummer pounding the skins as if he had several arms. Amidst the beats, rolls, and fills this outfit continues to unleash adventurous vocal and instrumental lines.
With a hint of grunge in their tone on “Use Your Utopia Or Lose Your Utopia,” the rhythm section pumps out a gorilla strong groove that rises and stomps back down with machine precision . A lead vocal carries the song’s thoughtful, twisty lyrics without ever pausing its breakneck pace. The most exciting part here is the tightness maintained by a rhythm section tightly wound around the racy upper register instruments.
Featuring guest bassist P-Nut of 311, Ontologics take us into the knobby fun of “Thought Crimes.” This one offers a balance between Campopiano rapping and a tricky, speedy groove from P-Nut. There is a also a balance here between the mid-tempo upper register instruments and a gushing rush of low end riffs. This crescendos into invigorating lead guitar, swiftly moving drum fills, and that jumpy P-Nut style rap.
“Assemble Them” bops in with a thick, perky bass line and some fancy stick work. The rhythm section are stars here and they keep this thing hopping. A boastful rap matches the cadences of the groove, and the lead vocal strikes with a defiant attitude. A listener can move his feet to this one while be entertained but the high octane entertainment coming from the upper registers.
An extra snappy groove and a twisty, high-pitched lead guitar phrase guide “Try To Get Along” through a hopscotch of motion The lead vocal atop it all ponders life in a neo hippie vibe before a rapper becomes the attitude focal point. One of the changes reminds of 1970s Genesis, a slippery synth line or two are too soft and pliant to grip but the drum patter beneath feels strong and motivational
“Cliff Or Lift I: Sepulcher” is an instrumental that finds a good home in between the vocal parts. Its electric guitar tones and the six strings’ light phrasing pulls one into this world where art rock reigns supreme. The two Ontologics guys pack a lot of instrumentation into this piece.
Title track “Heading To The Outer Realm” feels wide and full in its sweeping motions. The lead guitar keeps reaching ever higher in effort, arcing just in time for this duo to inject a rap. The drums fills being slapped around that rap give this tune plenty of smacking action. Meanwhile, the rap bounces around the drum work, a counter balance of motion that works well as stabs of electric guitar and synths also dance around the multitude of fills.
Spearheaded by a wily lead guitar phrase, “Around The Fire We Sit And Wait PT I” becomes a vocalist’s playground. The singer describes things well in his lyrical free for all as a lead guitar spirals upward with a mind of its own. The vocal takes turns, once again, with a rapper who rhymes in tight sync with the groove. It’s hard to decided what the coolest thing is about this song.
Commencing with a gypsy flavored lead guitar into, “It’s All In The Numbers” offers all sorts of tasty nuggets for the ear: its weepy lead guitar line and a wedge of bass guitar that continuously bounces along. The lead vocal carries the chorus theme like an anthem before making room for a hyperactive rapper who has a rock attitude. There is a careful construction within this song. A layer of synths in here gives lift to this piece, unobtrusive while serving as an essential backbone.
“Around The Fire We Sit And Wait PT 2” returns to the previous Part 1 themes with a vengeance. This sequel moves quicker, jumps higher, and seems to have an axe to grind. Get out of the lead guitar play’s way or he just might slice you in half with his fierce, laser sharp phrase.
Reaching its climax with an intense rhyme scheme from Campopiano, “Hindsight Mind’s Right” becomes a riveting experience. Rapping and drumming become counterweights to each other, moving swiftly to make their cases. Instrumental filling between the rhythmic clicks, including P-Nut back on bass, spice things up with wedges of crunchy lead guitar phrasing and a synth bleating out a counter melody.
Closing out with “Mitigated Moments” Ontologics play an amalgam of all that came before on this album. It reminds of the opening overture and closing theme of a musical or film score. It also feels like a perfect ending to a recording of so many exceptionally good passages.
Ontologics continue to do well for themselves. This new Heading For The Outer Realm album continues the soaring prog rock combined with rap rock that made their previous album so much fun and so popular with local fans.
