This World Is Not My Home

North Carolina’s Onward to Olympas temper their raw metal-core fury with unexpected grace on This World Is Not My Home. Vocalist Kramer Lowe’s bestial bellows express tortured yearning in tracks like “The Lost Generation,” “Unstoppable” and “Don’t Cry to Me.” Guitarist Justin Gage’s melodic vocals provide an uplifting counterpoint on the volcanic “Sink or Swim” and the confrontational “Presence At the Funeral.” The maniacal near-boogie of “Overcoming” and the stuttering metallic funk of “Awake In a Dream” find the band experimenting with a rage of dynamic strategies. Gage’s guitar work shines throughout, with his lyrical solo during “Her Best Words Were Goodbye” a particular highpoint. The album’s title track is a desperate cry for salvation, offering spiritual hope amidst the chaos of earthly existence. For those who like visceral metal served up with brains and finesse, these tracks will more than satisfy.