"Omega" is the second record from Taking Alpha, a metalcore band currently consisting of Joseph Acosta, Jacob Naylor, and Mirna Ayshoa. After years of production, the band is releasing this unique work on Nov. 20, 2020. But, for the story of how this record was made, one must go back to early 2017.

Taking Alpha began production of this record with their original full-time lineup. With the help of longtime band supporter and friend Brian Schmalz, the band contracted Austin Sutton, the songwriter of former Colorado band Letters to the Living, to produce this record.

Written by Joseph Acosta, "Omega" was initially slated to be a "3P", that is, a three-track EP. The group worked tirelessly with Austin to record the songs "Gravemind," "Scarab," and "Omega," which were nearing completion until, suddenly, Austin passed away.

This tragedy left a lasting effect still felt in the Colorado Springs music scene to this day, and left Taking Alpha without not only a producer, but a close friend. The loss inevitably halted production on the recording. In mourning his loss, Taking Alpha joined with his band Letters to the Living and other acts, including Redisyn, The Endless Line, and Ludoesmusic (a solo project from Austin's girlfriend), in a memorial benefit show on July 27, 2017.

In the months following, Taking Alpha experienced heavy turbulence and internal conflict. Near the end of 2017, the band split up and began a longtime hiatus, leaving Joseph (the founding member and songwriter) the sole remaining member. In this time, he continued to work with Brody Strunk, Austin's close friend and bandmate, to help continue Austin's work on the EP.

With the lineup down to one, Joseph stepped up as Taking Alpha's vocalist and committed to complete "Omega".

During a public hiatus that lasted from the end of the third quarter of 2017 to 2019, he relocated to the Denver area, where Taking Alpha continued to undergo many lineup changes. While in hiatus, Joseph re-recorded the vocals with Seth Munson, a producer locally renowned in the Colorado Springs music scene, and later enlisted the help of Yam Levi, an Israel-based producer and musician known for his work in the progressive metalcore band Revision the Dream. Joseph began work on "Premonitions", a prelude song before Gravemind, and later on "Lockdown", which was written and recorded in the first quarter of 2020.

In the years since Austin's passing, Taking Alpha has grown to their current roster. The release of "Omega" commemorates the journey of this record's production as well as the formation of a band that strives to bring something positive to listeners with a fiery, enraged passion.

Everything you will hear on this EP is the result of years of hard work, struggle, and change. From the development of the song "Gravemind" (which Joseph started years before Taking Alpha began) to working in Austin's studio, from the first scream in "Lockdown" to the last growl in "Scarab", this record is the epitome of everything the band worked for to this moment. And now, after over three years, Taking Alpha will make their mark with the face-melting, heart-throbbing, and rage-filled music in "Omega".

Dedicated to Austin Sutton, his family, and loved ones

Special thanks to Brian Schmalz