There are a lot of people disillusioned and downright depressed about the state of the world, and if you live in the United States as I do, it’s a mix of horror and disgust every day that is in no way sustainable. It’s hard to remember that these times do not last, and light one day will reemerge, but simmering in the agony makes hope seem impossible.

Sacramento-based funeral doom duo Oromet stand in the middle of a crumbling and hopeful existence on their second record “The Sinking Isle,” an album that shows the darker side of their creativity that serves as a counterbalance to their 2023 self-titled debut. Again drawing inspiration from fantasy artist Ted Nasmith, whose breathtaking artwork again adorns their cover, the band—vocalist/guitarist Dan Aguilar, drummer/bassist/synth player/backing vocalist Patrick Hills—reaches deep into the surrounding darkness and create something darkly melodic and richly layered. Yes, there is misery at every turn, but to find our way to a rebirth that is better for all, we must endure the suffering.

“Hollow Dominion” opens and is the longest track, running 20:49 and taking its time to unfurl the dreaded majesty. The first couple minutes are serene, calm even, a thread of sorrow pulled through the middle. The growls enter and corrode as the glacial pace drags its way across the surface. The playing is thunderous, guitars glimmering, the emotion gushing as bells chime, the lower end of the surface rumbling with power. Drums echo as the sounds build drama, cosmic synth blowing stars across the sky, a spacious gust bringing back the devastation. Melodies unload as wrenching force pushes, the playing cascades, and the growls gut hard over melting guitars.

“Marathon” crashes, growls scarring, a spacey atmosphere stretching over everything, howls smashing as boiling interference stretches its grasp. Colder temperatures arrive as the fog increases, guitars drip, and keys zap, the ice slowing thawing. The pounding returns as the wails spill over and bubble, hearts pour blood, and a strange intermission crackles, pushing into closer “Forsaken Tarn.” The playing mashes, growls burning even as clean, elegant waters spill over cliffs. The leads weep as gargantuan pounding combines with snarling growls and a sound burst that feels like a storm exploding. Wails slice as emotion flows from open veins, the ground is deliberately pounded as keys glaze, and the glorious fury echoes into dimensions.

“The Sinking Isle” is a perfect name for this record as Oromet create a soundtrack to an imploding world that sustains damage as excruciatingly as possible. The galactic elements that paint dark matter over pain and misery also happen to pave a way for potential pinholes of light that could be a step forward. This is a massive album, a great piece of work that pushes Oromet into the upper echelon of doom powers and hopefully should continue to expand their reach even further.

For more on the band, go here: https://oromet.bandcamp.com/

To buy the album, go here: https://hypaethralrecords.com/collections/releases/products/oromet-the-sinking-isle

Or here (U.S.): http://transylvanianrecordings.com/album/oromet-the-sinking-isle

For more on the label, go here: https://hypaethralrecords.com/