EP Review: Omnivide – Arise (Seek and Strike)

Canadian progressive metal band Omnivide return with a brand new EP, Arise, set for release on 10th October via Seek & Strike.

Omnivide introduced themselves tot he world in 2024, with their debut album, A Tale of Fire. That record was self-produced and a real labour of love as the band took years refining their sound, building up to it’s release. It was worth it, with Omnivide really hitting the ground running as that album was met by critical acclaim and launched an extensive tour across Canada. It also saw the band receive nominations for Music NB Awards in ‘Breakthrough Artist’ and ‘Song of the Year’ categories as well as picking up a record label, in Seek & Strike.

Omnivide play a blend of progressive and melodic/symphonic death metal and here on Arise, they look to refine even further pushing deeper into progressive and symphonic territory while maintaining the technical edge that has become their signature. Drawing influence from acts such as Between The Buried and Me, Opeth and TesseracT, Omnivide fuse brutality and beauty in equal measure.

Best explained by Omnivide, who state:

“Arise is a major evolution from our debut album A Tale of Fire. We took the elements we loved most from that first release and cranked them up another level. We really wanted to outdo ourselves on this one and we all felt ready to make something better in a shorter time frame. People can expect more techy riffs, bigger orchestral arrangements, more progressive song structures and more clean singing to complement the harsh vocals. The EP also has a lot of ups and downs in intensity, going from all-out brutal riffs to chilled-out, subdued clean sections throughout each song.”

Omnivide is composed of Samuel Frenette on guitar and vocals, Nicolas Pierre Boudreau on guitar, Samuel Lavoie on keyboards, Marc-André Richard on drums, and Alex Cormier on bass.

Omnivide deliver five new tracks on Arise, starting with the aptly named opener, Prelude. It’s a one-minute introduction built from atmospheric orchestral elements — a nice start that adds intrigue and a bit of flair.

From there, we head into Void, the first single from the EP. The band’s technical side is immediately on show, with big riffs, sharp lead guitar work, and impressive drums backed by wild symphonic touches. Growled vocals kick in early, then everything suddenly drops into a folk-tinged verse with gentle melodies and clean singing — a bold contrast.

The guitars and drums build back in, and the vocals start shifting between harsh and melodic. All the elements are here — symphonic sections, death metal, progressive and melodic influences — but it’s not subtle. As the band said, they’ve leaned harder into some aspects, and that comes through. The transitions aren’t smooth; they’re more like sharp turns, which can be a bit jarring at first. It’s challenging in a good way, and as the track goes on, I found myself syncing with it.

Each element works well on its own. I really like the lead guitar melody that threads through the song. The vocals — both clean and harsh — are solid, and the rhythm section adds real weight. The symphonic parts are well-used and never overpower the track. It all comes together in a meaningful way, even if it takes a moment to adjust to what Omnivide are doing.

Now I think I get it — it makes listening to tracks like Tyrannical Saviour less surprising. I’m prepared this time. And this one is a banger. All the familiar elements are here, but now there’s a superb chorus too. The vocals are excellent, with real depth and power on the harsh end. The solo and instrumental section is tight, with a solid rhythm and beat that makes it perfect for a good headbang. The orchestral lift before the lead guitar takes over works brilliantly, and once again, the drums and bass are huge — adding weight and a touch of menace that keeps everything feeling powerful and heavy.

Omnipotent brings more of the same — in a good way. Initially, a rhythmic opening with orchestral flair leads into a mix of blasting drums and winding guitar melodies. This then gives way to a heavier section, where the riffs tie everything together nicely. Meanwhile, the vocals are powerful and mostly in the death metal style, at least until a sudden shift into their more symphonic side. At this point, we get a verse of epic proportions with soaring vocals, ringing guitars, and cinematic orchestration. However, Omnivide don’t stop there — instead, it sets up what’s probably the heaviest section on Arise so far, with thunderous drums and razor-sharp guitar work delivered at full speed and precision.

Arise closes with the title track. Although nearly nine minutes long, and despite the band already cramming a lot into five-minute songs, I was a bit wary. Nevertheless, this turns out to be a rollercoaster in the best way. The intro fully embraces their cinematic side — beautifully composed and genuinely striking. Furthermore, the transition into guitars, drums, and orchestral backing is smooth, leading into a heavy, menacing section with strong riffs, pounding drums, and fierce vocals. The chorus hits hard, and the lead guitars go wild. Meanwhile, the cleanly sung middle section is phenomenal and keeps building — layering drums, backing growls, and orchestral swells. It’s a lot, but ultimately, it works.

From there, the music briefly softens — gentle piano, tapping drums, and subtle bass offer a well-timed breather. The song then builds into a beautifully delivered verse and a fiery extended solo. A huge final chorus drives the song, and the EP, to a powerful and memorable close.

Arise takes listeners on a rollercoaster ride, showcasing talent and technical skill. It can feel like a lot to take in at first — especially across the opening tracks — but the experience improves with each listen. On repeat plays, you notice finer details you may have missed the first time around.

The drumming stands out throughout, and the contrast between clean and harsh vocals adds real depth to each track. The guitars often steal the spotlight technically but never dominate — they serve the songs without overshadowing them. The band also uses masterful orchestration to add cinematic flair and elevate key moments without overdoing it.

Arise represents a confident and accomplished release. If Omnivide continue in this direction, they have a bright future ahead.

Preorder Arise from the band, here.

Tracklist:

1 – Prelude
2 – Void
3 – Tyrannical Saviour
4 – Omnipotent
5 – Arise

Omnivide Links

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