Ok Goodnight is a Progressive Metal band from Boston, MA, USA. Initially meant to be a fun project, the two Martins and Augusto, who were all studying at the prestigious Berklee College of Music, ended up making this more of a priority. They decided to ramp things up a little during the pandemic, resulting in Under The Veil. This is an expansion on their debut LP, Limbo, and pushes the boundaries while staying true to their sound.

De Reyna Management
https://dereynamanagement.com
https://www.okgoodnight.com

Band Members:

  • Casey Lee Williams – Vocals
  • Martin Gonzalez – Guitars
  • Martin De Lima – Piano, Keyboards
  • Augusto Bussio – Drums

Guest Musicians:

  • Peter De Reyna – Bass
  • Jacob Umansky – Bass

Under The Veil was independently released on November 13, 2020. Quirky and fun, this is a record that has a variety of sounds and styles. Shifting not just tempos but entire genres, Under The Veil, is a roller coaster ride that is sure to please fans of hybrid music. There is no predicting where they will go next; making sure you have to listen carefully. They will take you to more places in under 19 minutes than most bands can in two hours.

Tracklist:

  1. Awake
  2. Addled Eyes
  3. Unraveled
  4. Rebirth

We begin with “Awake,” a tune that starts with some keyboard flurries that lead into dark piano tones. Add the drums for a few measures, then the guitars come in blazing. Drop back to the dark, jazzy phrase, and the vocals enter gently. This is progressive metal done with flair and skill. The rhythm section is definitely beefed up for this record. The drums and the bass take on a life of their own on this record. The bass adds a whole new dimension to the sound. Casey takes her vocals even farther to the extremes, hitting higher notes and showing off more power than on the first record. Everything is bigger and better here.

“Addled Eyes” has a more pop-oriented sound. Casey has some outstanding runs in this tune. Again, the two Martins interact with each other in new and inventive ways on keys and guitars. The layering of the guitars into leads and rhythms is really creative, especially when fused with the keys to bring the sound to a whole new level. Augusto steps up his drumming on this disc. His work is more adept and fits into the groove really well on this one.

Next is “Unraveled.” The composition is, again, everything you want. The slow, melodic tempo with the lower-end vocals is exquisite. The faster segments with the higher, more powerful belting vocals are fantastic. The lead guitar work that weaves over and through some of the vocalizations at the midpoint is amazing. Then, the instruments drop out, and there is a horn piece to finish the song. This is a massive piece of songwriting, and it deserves all the praise that can be heaped upon it. I love everything about this song.

The final song on the record is “Rebirth.” An intro with ambient sounds leads to a piano tune that is dark and melancholic. The vocals are eerie and strangely appealing, with the strings hovering around them. The high-pitched violin tones offset the sadness, providing just the briefest glimpse of hope. The fade out with the waves and the piano ends the record, leaving you wanting more, hoping there will be more.

Ok Goodnight’s bio on their website claimed they wanted to go next level with this record. Well, I can honestly say they accomplished that goal and more. They stepped up their game in both writing and performance. The songs are bolder and even more brazen than on Limbo. It takes a brave composer to create melodies like this. It takes excellent musicians to play these songs and make them work this well. We can only hope this band continues to push their personal boundaries and create more amazing work like this in the future.

MZ Ratings:

  • Musicianship
    • Guitars – 9
    • Rhythms – 9
    • Vocals – 9
  • Songwriting – 9
  • Production – 9
  • Overall – 9