The band’s journey was not without challenges however – we reached out to Danny Perry, the sole remaining founding member, to dive into Ornimental’s odyssey from dreams and struggles to triumphs.
A Band Forged in Brotherhood and Metal
Danny Perry and Julio Garcia, childhood friends turned estranged schoolmates, found their way back to each other in middle school, reigniting a friendship and a shared passion for metal. They made a pact to stick together through highschool, leading to the birth of Ornimental. Inspired by MTV’s glory days, they dreamt up a band that combined fierce guitar riffs and drum solos with a desire to make the crowd move, not just headbang. The pair began playing together and would take videos of themselves playing to get audio recordings of their soon to be songs.
Their initial foray into the band scene saw them join Wrongful Death, a technical metal group that showcased their talent but couldn’t cage their creative vision. The desire to play music that resonated with their roots led to the formation of Ornimental. Early recordings prior to Wrongful Death became part of Ornimental’s debut album while the rest were revamped Wrongful Death songs. A relentless search for bandmates brought them Joel, who would feature in the “Encage ” music video. But it was Sully, who joined and eventually became the soul of the band with his “don’t stop moving” mantra.
The Creative Struggles and Breakthrough
Clashes with producers and internal turmoil over musical direction marked their early studio days. A battle of artistry versus commercial success ensued, with Danny striving to preserve Ornimental’s essence. Their debut album, a mix of hard-hitting and anthem-like tracks, eventually catapulted them into the spotlight, opening for major acts and defining them as Miami’s metal marvel.
Miami wouldn’t be the only stop on their tour of success, as Ornimental made their way all across the U.S. turning heads and raising eyebrows at each stop. One of the bigger shows on this tour was played at the famous Hard Rock Cafe in Hollywood, Florida. Sid Wilson of Slipknot would even have Ornimental open for them, a dream come true in Danny’s words.
Trials, Tribulations, and a Comeback
Despite their rising success, personal conflicts and the relentless wave of the COVID-19 pandemic threatened to disband Ornimental. Yet, they weathered the storm, focusing on social media to stay connected with fans despite setbacks like their Facebook hack. The release of “Red White & Wrath” during these times became a symbol of their resilience, earning them a deal with PennyFly Entertainment.
A New Chapter
With new members and fresh inspiration, Ornimental is ready to roar back. Ornimental’s collaboration with the Video Game Orchestra and the search for a new bass player hints at exciting developments. Their upcoming album promises to blend the raw energy of their debut with the polished edge of their sophomore effort, signaling a new era for Ornimental.
Sitting down with Danny, we were excited to learn more about what we can expect to hear on Ornimental’s next album:
“A more contemporary sounding Ornimental. In the past we drew inspiration from our heroes whose music is currently 30-40 years old. Now that we have been able to find our sound and direction, we want to evolve our sound while still pulling a couple of old school tricks here and there…Ornimental style of course.”
How is this new direction going to affect Ornimental lyrically?
“We want to write music that’s really talking about other people’s life experiences. There should be enough direction for a subject, but blank spaces for the listener to add themselves into it. We’ve been happy to be able to have our music touch hearts, but we really want to look at what other stories need to be shared with the world.”
Can we expect a similar overall sound from your previous albums?
“Evolving as a band means to evolve our sound as well. We really want to keep diving into experimenting, genre bending, and make everything sound as close to your face as possible. As I like to say “It’s almost as if the band is right behind the speaker and you can practically touch the music.”
To close out, what message do you want to leave with your fans?
“We want our message with everything we do to be about our fans. We want to be very successful musicians, but living the “rockstar” life only puts a wall between you and your musical family. When we play live, you don’t come see us, we come see you! You are the ones that make us happy, you are the stars of the show.”
Fans can stay up to date with Ornimental and join the Freek Squad at https://www.ornimental.com!
Ornimental’s journey, from childhood dreams to the cusp of their latest rebirth, is a powerful narrative of perseverance, friendship, and the relentless pursuit of musical authenticity. As they gear up to unleash new tunes, one thing is for sure: Ornimental isn’t just surviving; they’re thriving, ready to etch their mark on the world of metal and beyond.
Hello from the Magnetic editorial desk.
