The Ongoing Concept Is Back (Again)

By Phil Hawkins

It feels like it has been eons since The Ongoing Concept hung it up back in 2017. However, it’s only been 6 years. To some that may seem like a lengthy amount of time and for a band that released their first album in 2013 it is definitely longer than the time between their first and third albums (which was only a 4 year span). Regardless of the amount of time they have or have not been an active band the important point is that they are back.

The Ongoing Concept have once again partnered with Solid State Records to release their latest album, Again (out March 31st). While it has been a few years it feels like TOC have picked up right where they left off without skipping a single beat. The group once again present their brand of an unpredictable and undeniable hybrid of metal, hardcore, prog, and alternative that stands out against their contemporaries.

Vocalist Dawson Scholz affirms; “Thematically, the songs are continuations. Every single song has its own vibe even though some of the lyrics may be connected to older tunes.” This unique approach provides a bit of an interesting concept to the album as a whole. Opening track, “Again” serves as an intro to the album so there is no real “meat” to it, but it sets the stage for what ensues beyond this point. “Amends Again” follows and quickly gives insight that the band is not playing around and you can feel the reignited passion that come from being a cohesive unit once again. “Feel Again” (the latest single) keeps things on the heavier side while presenting a solid contrast within the verse/chorus structuring of the track.

“Failures & Fakes Again” takes a bit of a jazzier turn that stands out amidst the preceding tracks and leads in to the onslaught that is “You Will Go Again.” However, the onslaught is not brutal guitar riffs or spine breaking drums, but just a genuinely solid composition. It is obvious from the track listing that the band integrated lyrics and “Easter eggs” from their prior albums, but something about “You Will Go Again” really resonates that aspect. “Prisoner Again” (the album’s lead single) follows and is a roller coaster ride with fair amounts of ups and downs with a few loops thrown in for good measure. “It’s about being a prisoner inside of your head,” Dawson elaborates. “The lyrics are metaphoric. You’re just trying not to feel the pain of everything around you.”

“Melody Again” takes a more “radio friendly” or “poppy” approach than the rest of the album, but still carries some solid hooks and melodies that blend in the chaos of the rest of the album (kind of like the eye of a storm). “Unwanted Again” plays well off of “Melody Again” and gives another glimpse of the jazzier elements of the album. Both tracks fit better this late in the album as they would feel really out of place earlier in. “Saloon Again” shows that the album had not fully lost it’s steam as it leans fully in to the chaos and embraces it. The album concludes with “Falling Again” which fits as the perfect cap on a fairly diverse album. Where the track lacks in chaos it makes up for in a more atmospheric approach that leads in to a soundscape similar to what it heard at the beginning of the album bringing it full circle.

Overall, Again is a solid return for band. However, the only real shortcoming is that it feels abruptly short (plus there is no “Cover Girl Again” paying homage/tribute to their breakout single “Cover Girl”).

Again will be available this Friday on all major digital and streaming platforms or you can order physical copies via the Solid State Records webstore.

The Ongoing Concept have some tour dates line up in April, but will be on the road this summer with Lightworker and Bloodlines leading up to playing a Saloon 10th Anniversary set at AudioFeed Music Festival in Urbana, IL.