REVIEW: Ómoia - What Lies Beneath
We are living in a political hell that scapegoats the queer community and minorities, allows greedy, gluttonous billionaires to eradicate entire civilisations, land, and violate nature while slapping us lowly peasants with the bill, and tells us to thank the polished brogues crushing our windpipes - if you're not angry, you're not paying attention. ÓMOIA isn't just angry, they're unleashing an unquenchable rage on their breakthrough EP What Lies Beneath, delivering an eviscerating sound that screams viciously for anyone who feels they have no voice, and channels the white-hot fury many of us feel but struggle to articulate into words.
ÓMOIA are unapologetic, and too fucking right. The Leeds band, who centre their sound around “queer core”, are advocating for everyone being stamped down by the oppressive authorities and elite using unforgiving riffs and scorching vocals. There's a frenetic pace throughout the EP, but the heavy weight of the ragged guitars and solid drum beats keep it from running amok, keeping the topics fixed in their own rights and giving them their appropriate airtime while still maintaining the overall anger fuelling the passionate sound.
What Lies Beneath is driven by very current and horrifying affairs, but some of the more sensitive topics explored could be heard in any point of history and still be relevant. ÓMOIA are adding their voice to a growing mass as they spit facts on opener System of Rights about the detrimental treatment our trans family have seen a significant and devastating increase in, visceral screams and guitar squeals intentionally jarring and disruptive. Preying Man showcases vocalist Cerys Simmons’ ability to tear through abrasive growls and fluid clean vocals that demands basic decency and respect from men who think other people's anatomies are their business.
Contrary to its title, The Quiet Place leaves no space for silence as it slams through in a commotion of harsh guitar hooks elevated with bitter drums and bass, unforgiving and punishing from the first note. Bruised Egos laughs in the face of audacious entitlement, the intro building layer upon layer of instruments until the wall of noise explodes outward into a bulleting tirade. At only five tracks long, What Lies Beneath merely scratches the surface of what ÓMOIA are capable of, and final track Maybe You Think You Can Save Me acts as the final moment of catharsis for the band and a last connection to the listener - not a goodbye, but a promised “see you later” - with Simmons opting for a more gentle approach rich in feeling and sadness.
The rage is evident, but layered underneath is the fear that breeds this emotion. ÓMOIA are proudly queer and steadfast in their allyship, so What Lies Beneath isn't just an outlet to their personal emotion but them sharing their empathy with everyone scapegoated and unjustly affected; the EP is a statement saying “you belong”.
Score: 9/10
What Lies Beneath was released on 16th October 2026.
Words: Julia Stark
Photos: Ómoia
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