New York’s genre-blending livewires Oxymorrons announced will join Corey Taylor on his November UK and European tour. They will be starting the party in the UK, where they drop down into Leeds on 8th November and rip their way through Wolverhampton, Manchester, Glasgow and London on 14 November before they jet off to Europe.
You can get tickets from here.
Melanin Punk, the new album from the ban is due on 20th October via Mascot Records, and ahead of that, and out now, is their latest single and video taken from it, in ‘Look Alive (Netic)’.
Described as a testament to Oxymorrons‘ “undeniable talent and unwavering commitment to breaking barriers and defying expectations”. The track captures the essence of their hybrid sound and never say die attitude.
The band explained, “’Look Alive’ is the perfect sonic representation of our unique blend of Rock and Hip-Hop. It hits hard, exudes energy, and lives authentically in both spaces. With swaggy, unapologetic vibes, it simultaneously uplifts while delivering a powerful message: “Hard times get better. Stay focused, stay active, and push forward, always look alive.”
The new single also pays tribute to a fallen member of their chosen family, explaiining, “For those who wonder what (Netic) is – Netic Rebel, a founding member of the band Game Rebellion, was an integral part of the AfroPunk movement, playing a vital role in building the festival’s legendary legacy. More than just a musician, he was a guiding force, a brother, and a mentor to all who knew him, leaving an indelible mark on the universe.
“Without Netic, there would be no Oxymorrons, as he not only inspired but also empowered POC bands to remain authentic and true to themselves. He embraced imperfections and was a perfect soul in his own unique way. Netic was a gift from the universe, and for this gift, we are forever grateful. His spirit lives on in the music, the memories, and the hearts of those he touched, and his legacy continues to resonate through the power of music and the unity he fostered.”
Available digitally, you can check out the video here at RAMzine.
It is the band’s fourth single from the new album, the previous one being ‘Graveyard Words’.
When asked about the inspiration behind ‘Graveyard Words’, Oxymorrons collectively explained, “It’s about speaking with intentions. Words carry weight and you can manifest positivity but also negativity with the things you say – on the extreme side of the spectrum it could cost you your life. It’s about the laws of attraction through words. The chorus sounds like a threat coming from an individual – like ‘Yo watch yer mouth or I’ll f*ck you up’ – but it was really written from the perspective of the universe/karma warning us humans.
“A small example is we try not to use the word ‘hate’ in our vocabulary when describing something we don’t like. We’re not always successful, but just trying to remove that word so that we don’t attract hatred into our life and leave that portal open for hate to come through. You attract what you project, and we project positivity.”
The single is available here and you can checkout the video right here at RAMzine.
In February, the band came to UK for the first time on a run of 28 sold-out shows as support to Bad Omens. Their last single ‘Enemy’ was one of Metal Hammer’s Tracks of the Week, it was playlisted on Kerrang Radio – making the Fresh Blood Featured Artists of the Week – and was played on Daniel P Carter’s BBC Radio 1 Rock Show, plus given multiple spins on BBC Radio 1’s Future Alternative Show.
The band’s upcoming album derives its name from the concept of melanin as a unifying force transcending mere skin tone. Oxymorrons define melanin punk as an emblem of culture, a rebellious ethos, and a celebration of the shared human experience. The band sees themselves as representatives of the people, embracing the diversity that exists within humanity and using their music as a catalyst for unity.
“It’s about community, not division,” said the band. “Oxymorrons is for us, but the project represents the people and what brings us together. Our whole human existence is about connection. It’s everyone in the band’s uniqueness that makes us the crazy melting of sound and that’s a great analogy to how we feel about the world as a whole.”
The band described their Melanin Punk album as “a cinematic experience” and “the most unique mixed baby you have ever seen” that builds upon the foundation laid by their EP, Mohawks and Durags. While the EP introduced listeners to an array of energies and vibes, the album takes fans on an immersive journey within each individual song. Melanin Punk symbolises the culmination of the band members’ diverse backgrounds, eccentricities, and imperfection to create their personal artistic vision.
Melanin Punk features the following tracks: ‘Enemy’, ‘Last Call’ featuring Troi Irons, ‘Graveyard Words’, ‘Look Alive’ featuring Netic, ‘Head For The Hills’ featuring Kid Bookie, ‘Melanin Punk’, ‘Mike Shinoda Flow’ featuring Hyro the Hero, ‘Insomnia’ ‘Re-Up’ featuring Kanner and ‘Moon Chasers’. It can be ordered by clicking here.
