Progressive metal band Oni recently released their heavy-hitting single, "Barn Burner", and today you can watch superhuman Xylosynth player Johnny D shred through the track - with two mallets in each hand!

Johnny D explains the design and sound of his unique instrument: "Everyone is always asking me at our shows, "what the hell is a Xylosynth", so I'm glad that our fans can finally see the instrument demonstrated clearly. It's definitely built and played like a xylophone, but it's essentially a traditional synthesizer which allows me to play with a wide range of sound options. Everything from solo/lead parts to more textured stuff, like when I'm riffing with the guitars. This "Barn Burner" video is a really good example of what I bring to the table in Oni.”

“Barn Burner” is the lead track from Oni’s new album, Ironshore, out on Black Friday, November 25th, via Blacklight Media/Metal Blade Records. Pre-orders here.

Blacklight Media is a new label launched this past February by Chris Santos, executive chef and managing partner of the New York City restaurants Vandal, The Stanton Social and Beauty & Essex, in partnership with Metal Blade Records CEO/founder Brian Slagel. Santos states, "One of the things that I think will make Blacklight Media a label to watch for years to come is the diversity of our roster. Oni is our first crushingly heavy signing that matches their heaviness with incredible progressive precision and classically brutal breakdowns. I'm very excited to have them as part of the Blacklight Media family!"

Vocalist Jake Oni adds, "We are excited to announce our signing with Blacklight Media/Metal Blade Records. It is an honor to be on the same roster as so many amazing bands. With the support of this legendary label at our side, the world is ours!"

Featuring the already-buzzing single "Eternal Recurrence", an uncompromising anthem that upon release gave metal fans an early look at Oni's undeniable technical talent, Ironshore takes listeners on an absorbing ride that provides ample opportunity for head-banging, singing along and deep introspection. Watch the official music video for the track below.

Tracklisting:

“Barn Burner”
“Eternal Recurrence”
“The Only Cure”
“The Science”
“Spawn And Feed”
“Chasing Ecstasy”
“Kanvas”
“Thrive”
“Coast To Coast”

“Barn Burner” lyric video:

“Eternal Recurrence” video:

Formed in 2014, the initial vision for Oni was, "to be the band I never got to see", explains Jake Oni. With their influences rooted in progressive metal, Oni's sound can be compared to the genre's heavy hitters - The Human Abstract, Protest The Hero and Between The Buried And Me - yet they remain truly unique. With Jake Oni handling vocal duties, Martin Andres and Brandon White on guitar, Chase Bryant on bass and Joe Greulich on drums, they are also perhaps the first metal band to feature a Xylo-synth player, in the form of Johnny D, which adds an intriguing dynamic to the nine tracks found on Ironshore.

Oni will join the I Worship Chaos Tour lineup, beginning November 23rd and featuring headliners Children of Bodom and fellow special guests Abbath and Exmortus (the latter of which they will perform five off dates with prior).

Oni tour dates can be found here.