The Death of Peace of Mind explained

The Death of Peace of Mind is the third studio album by American metal band Bad Omens, released on February 25, 2022, through Sumerian Records. The band produced the album themselves, while mixing and mastering was done by Zakk Cervini.^[5] The album cover was shot by photographer Oswaldo Cepeda.

On February 26, 2023, Bad Omens released a cappella versions of every track to commemorate the album's first anniversary.

Musical style

The band made use of synths and electronic elements to produce a different sound to their previous albums, with Charlie Hill of Ghost Cult Magazine describing the closing track on the album, "Miracle", saying: "With dense, glitchy synths and bass taking the front seat, Sebastian follows with screaming vocals as the whole song distorts to a thunderous breakdown climax."^[4] Reviewer Simon K. said on Sputnik Music: "the production is punchy and has a dystopian cyberpunk-ish feel to it."^[2]

Release

On November 10, 2021, Bad Omens released the song "The Death of Peace of Mind", and announced their third studio album of the same name would be released on February 25, 2022.

Prior to release, the initial creation of "Somebody Else" and "The Death of Peace of Mind" were both uploaded onto YouTube by Sebastian, having live-streamed the former, and creating the other without instruments as a "quarantine sample challenge". The album spawned three radio singles: "Like a Villain", "Just Pretend", and "The Death of Peace of Mind" (which was released to radio in 2023).^[6] Other songs released digitally prior to album release were "What Do You Want from Me?", "Artificial Suicide", and "The Grey".

Reception

The album received generally positive reviews, with Paul Brown of Wall of Sound saying that "Bad Omens have more than proved themselves and their worth with The Death of Peace of Mind."^[1] Dan Stapleton of Rock'N'Load Magazine applauded the band and the album, saying "Bad Omens have created a phenomenal album here that is fresh enough to stand out against the rest of their genre while still being familiar enough to be easily accessible."

The Death of Piece of Mind won the "Best Album" award at the Heavy Music Awards 2023.^[7]

Track listing

All tracks are written and produced by Noah Sebastian and Joakim Karlsson, except where noted.

Notes

• "IDWT$" stands for "I Don't Want the Money"
• "Who Are You?", "Somebody Else.", and "What Do You Want from Me?" are all stylized in sentence case.

Personnel

Bad Omens

• Noah Sebastian – vocals, programming, production
• Joakim Karlsson – guitar, programming, production
• Nicholas Ruffilo – bass
• Nick Folio – drums

Production^[5]

• Zakk Cervini – mixing, mastering
• Sannkaed – lyrical assistant

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2022–2024)! scope="col"

Peak position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[8]	66
UK Album Downloads (OCC)[9]	19
UK Independent Album Breakers (OCC)[10]	16
US Top Album Sales (Billboard)[11]	43
US Top Current Album Sales (Billboard)[12]	29

Year-end charts

Chart (2023)! scope="col"

Position
US Top Hard Rock Albums (Billboard)[13]	14

Notes and References

1. Web site: Paul. Brown. Bad Omens – The Death of Peace of Mind (Album Review). Wall of Sound. February 23, 2022. March 14, 2022.
2. Web site: Simon K.. Bad Omens – The Death Of Peace Of Mind. Sputnikmusic. March 7, 2022.
3. Eli. Enis. "Don't make Bad Omens your life": Noah Sebastian wants his peace of mind. Revolver. May 17, 2023. January 24, 2024.
4. Charlie. Hill. Album Reviews: Bad Omens – The Death Of Peace Of Mind. Ghost Cult Magazine. February 23, 2022. March 14, 2022.
5. Web site: BAD OMENS announce details of new album, The Death of Peace of Mind, release title track with music videos . Alterock . 13 November 2021 . 2022-03-14.
6. Bad Omens Mainstream Rock Chart History . August 10, 2023 . Billboard . en-US.
7. Web site: Heavy Music Awards 2023 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231027172155/https://www.heavymusicawards.com/awards/hma23 . 27 October 2023 . 2024-04-26 . Heavy Music Awards . en-US.
8. The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 3 April 2023. The ARIA Report. Australian Recording Industry Association. 1726. 6. April 3, 2023.
9. Web site: Official Album Downloads Chart. Official Charts Company. March 4, 2022. October 12, 2023.
10. Web site: Official Independent Album Breakers Chart. Official Charts Company. March 4, 2022. October 12, 2023.
11. Web site: Bad Omens Chart History (Top Album Sales). Billboard. January 26, 2024.
12. Web site: Bad Omens Chart History (Top Current Album Sales). Billboard. January 26, 2024.
13. Web site: Year-End Charts: Top Hard Rock Albums (2023). Billboard. January 26, 2024.