Onfido
The Genesis
In the twilight of 2017, Onfido was forged in the crucible of a decaying industrial city, where the air was thick with rust and rebellion. Jace Marrow, a poet with a voice like shattered glass, met Lira Kain, a guitarist who wove chaos into melody, in a derelict warehouse turned underground venue. Their first encounter was electric — a shared cigarette, a stolen bottle of bourbon, and a riff that sparked a fire. Draven Holt, a drummer who pounded rhythms like war drums, and Vera Nox, a bassist whose notes were the pulse of the night, completed the quartet. They called themselves Onfido, a forgotten word meaning “to testify,” vowing to scream truths the world tried to bury.
Their early gigs were raw, chaotic affairs in basements and abandoned lots, where the crowd was as volatile as the music. Songs like “Oblivion’s Call” and “Rust Requiem” were born in those sweat-soaked nights, lyrics etched in the blood of a generation forgotten by progress. Their first show at The Abyss, a crumbling club, ended in a brawl when Jace leapt into the crowd during “Cinder Saints,” but the chaos only fueled their legend. By 2018, Onfido was a whispered myth, their music passed around like contraband.
In 2019, *Dust and Divinity* dropped like a Molotov cocktail. Recorded in a condemned studio, its 10 tracks were a raw elegy for a world choking on its own greed. “Oblivion’s Call” became an underground anthem, its video — shot in a rotting factory — racking up millions of views. But fame brought fractures. Jace’s demons clashed with Lira’s reckless ambition, and a near-fatal fight in 2020 almost ended it all. Vera, the band’s quiet sage, mediated a truce, and they channeled the pain into *Ashes of Elysium* (2021), a 12-track odyssey of ruin and redemption. Tracks like “Elysium’s Fall” and “Noir Cascade” married shoegaze haze with punk fury, earning critical acclaim.
Their 2024 release, *Noir Eternal*, is their darkest work yet. Recorded in a storm-battered coastal studio, its 11 tracks — including “Shadow Anthem” and “Veil of Knives” — are a descent into the abyss of human fragility. The album’s stark, monochrome aesthetic and Jace’s raw vocals have drawn comparisons to Joy Division and Nine Inch Nails. Onfido’s live shows are now mythic: Lira’s guitar solos bleed into the void, Draven’s drums shake the earth, and Vera’s basslines anchor the chaos. Their 2025 world tour, dubbed “The Eternal Descent,” promises to be their most ambitious yet, with sold-out shows in Berlin, Seoul, and Buenos Aires.
The “Noir Collective,” their fanbase, is a global cult. They etch lyrics from “Cinder Saints” into their skin, trade bootlegs of early demos, and flood X with fan art of *Noir Eternal*’s dystopian imagery. Onfido remains fiercely independent, rejecting major labels to stay true to their roots. As Jace told a crowd in 2024, “We don’t sing for salvation. We sing to burn it all down and build something real.”
Discography
Dust and Divinity (2019)
Released November 10, 2019, *Dust and Divinity* is Onfido’s primal scream, a 10-track manifesto of rage and reverence. Recorded in a decaying studio, it’s raw and unyielding. “Oblivion’s Call” is a gut-punch opener, while “Rust Requiem” weaves despair into defiance. “Cinder Saints” closes with a howl that lingers long after the silence.
Tracklist:
- 1. Oblivion’s Call - A relentless cry against apathy.
- 2. Rust Requiem - A hymn for the forgotten.
- 3. Hollow Shrine - Sparse and haunting.
- 4. Iron Lament - Crushing and cathartic.
- 5. Dust and Divinity - The title track, a poetic descent.
- 6. Broken Relic - Punk-infused chaos.
- 7. Cinder Saints - A raw, anthemic closer.
- 8. Void Sermon - Dark and meditative.
- 9. Ashen Crown - A slow-burning epic.
- 10. Silent Ruin - A stark farewell.
Ashes of Elysium (2021)
Released August 5, 2021, *Ashes of Elysium* is Onfido’s evolution, blending shoegaze and post-punk across 12 tracks. “Elysium’s Fall” is a soaring lament, while “Noir Cascade” drowns in distortion. Produced by Sarah Veil, it’s both polished and feral, a testament to a band finding its voice.
Tracklist:
- 1. Elysium’s Fall - A dreamy, devastating opener.
- 2. Noir Cascade - Distortion-drenched despair.
- 3. Phantom Choir - Ethereal and raw.
- 4. Shatterveil - A live juggernaut.
- 5. Crimson Relic - Fiery and unrelenting.
- 6. Dust Psalm - A delicate, haunting gem.
- 7. Iron Veil - Cinematic and tense.
- 8. Silent Elysium - A sprawling instrumental.
- 9. Ashen Reverie - Poetic and soaring.
- 10. Ruin’s Bloom - A fragile ballad.
- 11. Ashes of Elysium - The title track, epic.
- 12. Eternal Dusk - A quiet epilogue.
Noir Eternal (2024)
Released March 20, 2024, *Noir Eternal* is Onfido’s masterpiece, an 11-track plunge into the void. “Shadow Anthem” is a global hit, its stark lyricism cutting deep. “Veil of Knives” is a visceral assault, and “Oblivion’s Prayer” closes with fragile hope. It’s their boldest, darkest work.
Tracklist:
- 1. Shadow Anthem - A universal cry of defiance.
- 2. Veil of Knives - Raw and unrelenting.
- 3. Oblivion’s Prayer - Tender and hopeful.
- 4. Noir Eternal - The title track, cinematic.
- 5. Iron Psalm - Heavy and anthemic.
- 6. Ruin’s Echo - Atmospheric and sprawling.
- 7. Cinder Requiem - A fiery standout.
- 8. Silent Knives - Chaotic and visceral.
- 9. Ashen Void - Brooding and intense.
- 10. Eternal Relic - Hypnotic and dark.
- 11. Dust Anthem - A soaring finale.
Lyrics
Shadow Anthem
In the dark where the embers fade, We carve our truth with a rusted blade. The sky is ash, the stars are gone, Yet we scream our anthem till the dawn. [Chorus] Shadow anthem, we rise, we fall, Through the void, we’ll break the wall. No chains, no fear, we’ll never bend, This is our fight, till the bitter end. The streets are graves, where dreams decay, But we paint our souls in the night’s cruel play. Each scar a vow, each wound a song, In the silence, we’ll prove them wrong. [Chorus] Shadow anthem, we rise, we fall, Through the void, we’ll break the wall. No chains, no fear, we’ll never bend, This is our fight, till the bitter end. [Bridge] When the world burns and the heavens lie, We’ll spit our truth in the reaper’s eye. From the ashes, our voices soar, Shadow anthem, forevermore. [Outro] Shadow anthem, our endless cry, In the dark, we’ll never die. Through the ruins, we’ll claim our name, Burning bright in the eternal flame.
Oblivion’s Call
The city weeps where the neon bleeds, A labyrinth sown with forgotten seeds. We walk the edge where the shadows crawl, Heeding the pulse of oblivion’s call. [Chorus] Oblivion’s call, it pulls us near, A siren’s song through the fog of fear. No light, no hope, just the endless sprawl, We’ll dance with death in oblivion’s call. The ghosts of progress choke the air, Their hollow vows breed despair. Yet in the ruin, we stand up tall, Defying fate with oblivion’s call. [Chorus] Oblivion’s call, it pulls us near, A siren’s song through the fog of fear. No light, no hope, just the endless sprawl, We’ll dance with death in oblivion’s call. [Bridge] If the heavens crack and the earth gives way, We’ll sing our dirge till the final day. In the void’s embrace, we’ll never fall, Bound forever to oblivion’s call. [Outro] Oblivion’s call, our reckless creed, From shattered hearts, we’ll plant the seed. Through the dark, we’ll rise, we’ll crawl, Answering always oblivion’s call.
Explore more lyrics from *Dust and Divinity*, *Ashes of Elysium*, and *Noir Eternal* at our live shows or on our albums page.
Listen to "Shadow Anthem"
News
Eternal Descent Tour Announced
April 10, 2025
Onfido’s “Eternal Descent” world tour kicks off July 2025, hitting Berlin, Seoul, Buenos Aires, and more. Expect raw performances of *Noir Eternal* tracks like “Shadow Anthem” and surprises from early demos. Tickets go on sale May 20 via onfido-entrust.com. The Noir Collective is already buzzing on X, with fans sharing dream setlists. Join us in the chaos.
New EP Teaser: “Eclipse Hymns”
March 15, 2025
We’re dropping a surprise EP, *Eclipse Hymns*, in August 2025. Recorded in a haunted lighthouse, it features four tracks, including a collab with an unnamed artist (guesses on X?). Lead single “Night’s Requiem” is a slow-burner with Lira’s wildest solos yet. Pre-save on Spotify and join the Noir Collective for exclusive previews.
Noir Collective Fan Event in Tokyo
February 28, 2025
We’re hosting a Noir Collective meetup in Tokyo before our July show. Expect an acoustic set from Jace and Vera, plus a Q&A. Fans can submit art for our *Noir Eternal* gallery. Limited spots — sign up at onfido-entrust.com by March 31. The Collective’s X posts are already hyping this as a sacred ritual.
Limited Merch Drop: Noir Eternal Vinyl
January 20, 2025
Our *Noir Eternal* vinyl, with exclusive artwork by the Noir Collective’s @AshenPoet, drops February 10. Only 500 copies, each signed by the band. Pair it with our new “Shadow Anthem” tee. Available at onfido-entrust.com. Fans on X are calling it a collector’s dream. Don’t sleep on this.
Jace’s Poetry Book Announced
December 15, 2024
Jace Marrow’s poetry collection, *Ashes of the Void*, hits shelves June 2025. Inspired by *Noir Eternal*’s themes, it’s a raw dive into his psyche. Pre-orders open January 15 at onfido-entrust.com, with signed copies for the first 200 fans. X posts from the Noir Collective are already quoting leaked lines.
Contact
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Noir Voices:
“‘Shadow Anthem’ is my soul in sound.” — @VoidWanderer
“Onfido’s shows are a ritual of raw truth.” — @AshenPoet