“Black Smoke Rising”: A nightmare in sonic form
The dark atmosphere that Straight Razor creates with “Black Smoke Rising” has me gripped from the start. Not only is the song the third single from the upcoming album “Casualty”, but for me it’s a real statement in terms of dark wave and industrial sound. The ultra-brutal arpeggiator sounds are a highlight that, for me, takes the menace and intensity to a new level. This track is really dirty, dark and downright uncomfortable – and I find exactly that so fascinating. You can almost physically feel the pressure that flows from every beat.
What particularly strikes me is the unusually high level of suspense in the song, which makes the genre ‘Thriller’ sound really alive. For me, this is the most uncomfortable and at the same time most stirring song by Straight Razor to date – it shows how masterfully Omar Doom sets the dark universe of dark wave and industrial to music. It’s not just about the sonic harshness, but about the tangible unease that Doom creates with his sounds and the deep, haunting vocals. The lyrics are also quite something: they tell of an inner struggle, of demons and conflicts, which Doom sets to music with a gripping intensity.
I find the accompanying music video, directed by Joe Cardamone, particularly exciting. It perfectly complements the sound visually and further enhances the ominous character.
Listen to “Straight Razor – Black Smoke Rising” on Spotify
Listen to “Straight Razor – Black Smoke Rising” on Bandcamp
