Review: Omegashift – The Burden of Storms
Omegashift is a Norwegian outfit making its mark on the metal scene with a distinctive take on the doom genre. This quintet pairs the style’s thick, slow-moving heaviness with mighty melodies and a surprisingly positive message. The band’s disarmingly charming female vocals deliver poetically powerful lyrics, bringing a sense of hope to the music’s dynamic weight. The result is a sound that stands apart in a genre often defined by sorrow and darkness.
Omegashift is preparing to release its second full-length album, The Burden of Storms, through Nordic Mission on November 20. Built on the strong collaboration between all five members, the album has a personal quality as it explores themes of humanity, struggle, and light.
The first track on the album is also their first single, “While Men Slept.” The guitar work immediately stands out, with heavy, engaging riffs filled with a purposeful roughness. The sharp bite of the strings contrasts with, yet complements, the earnest vocals of Jorunn Aateigen. At over eight minutes, the track makes room for thought-provoking, atmospheric passages that allow the listener to consider its exploration of destruction and the darker side of humanity.
The second piece, “Spheres of Solace,” answers the grim aspects of the first with thoughts of light and rest. The album explores the bleak realities of this world and how we must seek light outside of it. The sweetness and delicate moments in each song pairs with the thick, chugging riffs and booming grooves to create a compelling contrast that reinforces their message.
Every track is over six minutes long, and each one takes you on a journey of sound. There are many ebbs and flows, with perfectly placid moments of ethereal, lullaby-like melodies giving way to wailing guitar solos. “Nightfire” has a gorgeous gothic feel, with prominent bass, a minor-key atmosphere, and alluring reverb. Meanwhile, the final track, “Council of Clouds,” delivers Metallica-like riffage that is heavy, hard-hitting, and addictively crunchy, dazzling with grit, depth, and weight. The choral synths build to a crescendo, while background growls are the icing on the cake, giving the track an epic feel and bringing the album to a powerful close.
There is a line in the final song that says, “Time is tearing the night apart…and light burns brighter…and where once shadows buried shadows.” You feel the strife in the heaviness, as well as the momentum to keep going and not give up. While Omegashift does not shy away from the darkness of humanity, the album’s search for hope, peace, and light carries a distinctly Christian resonance. Rather than ignoring the world’s struggles, the lyrics point toward a hope that transcends them.
The album was recorded without a click track, autotune, or drum quantization, giving it a very real, raw, and honest feel. While the lack of polish is evident at times, the rough edges add to the album’s authenticity without detracting too much from its quality. Ultimately, The Burden of Storms is a breath of fresh air, pairing the satisfying sounds of doom metal with a positive message.
Rating: 4 out of 5
Preorder Album here:
https://www.nordicmission.net/en/products/omegashift-the-burden-of-storms-cd-pre-order
Listen to Album here:
https://music.apple.com/us/artist/omegashift/6806313584
About Author
