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THE BROWNING Exclusive Interview on New Album “OMNI” & Single Ft. Nik Nocturnal

Vocalist Jonny McBee on new album, big collaborations, and the future of The Browning.

by The Metalverse

Updated November 13, 2024

The Browning started in 2005 in Missouri and is known for their sound that mixes rave/EDM with brutally heavy deathcore. The Kansas City trio has carved a reputable name in the heavy metal scene with their unique electronic-influenced sound.

The Browning just unleashed their new 10 track album “OMNI” on November 8th and it’s jam-packed with all the equally danceable and mosh-worthy riffs, intense vocals, and more that you could hope for. Filled with breakdowns and bright synths from start to finish, “OMNI” is a heavy-hitting yet melodic display of everything that The Browning has to offer.

In addition to the new album, The Browning also released the official music video for “MISERY.exe” featuring popular metal YouTuber/Twitch streamer Nik Nocturnal. The music video is brimming with futuristic visuals, chunky riffs, massive breakdowns and explosively harsh vocals. You can watch the official music video below.

The Browning: YouTube

We got to talk to The Browning vocalist Jonny McBee about the new album, music video, and other musical ventures.

The Browning Exclusive Interview

What inspired “OMNI” musically/lyrically, what was the creation process like for this album?

“Musically the goal with OMNI was to continue the path I had with EoE (End Of Existence), which is to expand on unique song structures and showing how heavy The Browning really can be.”

“Lyrically. It’s likely the most blatantly angry I’ve ever been in The Browning. But I’m sure everyone can agree that over the last few years with things going on in the world it’s hard not to be mad. The thing that is most prevalent in our lyrics through refers to an over reaching tyrannical entity.”

What’s the most memorable moment from a show, tour or festival?

“The most memorable moment for me ever, was playing our first show ever in Germany. We played With Full Force festival and I thought no one knew who we were. But then entire crowd was chanting our synths and it just blew my mind. Germany is the best.”

The Browning has a unique EDM/synth metal sound—what genre do you consider yourselves and what influences do you take inspiration from outside of metal music?

“I’m currently calling it Rave Metal. Just much simpler and eye catching to people who don’t know the Electronicore genre. My biggest electronic influence comes from 2000s European Hardstyle like Headhunterz, Donkey Rollerz.”

The new song “MISERY.exe” features popular metal content creator Nik Nocturnal. What was it like collaborating with him on the track?

“Me and Nik have talked for a while and he’s always been an outspoken fan of The Browning. We chatted along time ago about collaborating in some way and this was definitely really good timing. People were expecting him to have like some big guitar solo or something but that was never the goal. He just wanted to help write a BROWNING song and he killed it. I sent him the initial base concept and he expanded it from there, writing the riffs for the chorus and these crazy, crazy breakdowns. Was really nice working with someone who was a fan of the band and nailed making a Browning song.”

You recently announced a new music project in 2023–The Defect. How does it differ musically from The Browning and what are the plans for the future of The Defect?

“The Defect is a band I started with my wife Moon McBee. It takes the softer side that The Browning has with songs like Skybreaker and makes a full project with that sound. I started realizing the browning had a set of fans that loved the more anthemic rock side of our music but I never wanted to put a lot of soft stuff on records, so The Defect allows me to write tons of songs in that style and keep The Browning as heavy as possible!”

What’s one piece of advice you would give to an aspiring band/musician?

Write the music you enjoy the most without any consideration of commercial success. The chance of being able to have a full on career with music is basically zero, not because you’re not talented, but because it’s very, very difficult to get the opportunities. Everyone in The Browning has jobs outside the band and that’s most bands in our scene. So make the music you love, and the opportunities may come. But put out as much music as possible and share your art with the world!

What’s next for The Browning?

2025 will be the biggest year ever for The Browning—I 100% believe that. The members in the band plus the music on this record will give us the best chance ever to have a viral moment and put on crazy shows! Full time touring and constant flow of new music is the plan!