The Swedish band Lake of Tears released their album “Ominous” in February. Known in Turkey, especially for the song “To Blossom Blue,” the band is a beloved example of gothic/doom metal. Or should I say, it’s a band with a history of splitting up and reuniting whenever they feel like it. Daniel Brennare, who has been the guitarist and vocalist for the band, took on the entire task for their 9th studio album, handling everything from lyrics to composition. He did get some help from a few friends for the recording process (bass, drums, mix/master).

The album’s theme revolves around loneliness and depression, rooted in a personal story. Around 12-13 years ago, Daniel was diagnosed with leukemia and had to spend long periods in hospitals. The mental toll of his situation was undoubtedly devastating. This album is a reflection of the struggles Daniel faced during that time.

Musically, “Ominous” is somewhat different from the Lake of Tears albums we’ve heard so far. Right from the first track, there are many electronic elements. While the album retains its expected melancholy and gothic vibe, it leans more towards a psychedelic and post-punk atmosphere compared to previous works. Aside from a few tracks, I must say that I’m not a huge fan of Lake of Tears’ vocals. In this album, it sometimes feels like the music is in one place, and the vocals are in another. Although instrumentally satisfying, the vocals unfortunately didn’t meet my expectations.

5573 to station, there is nothing in here. The album opens with “At the Destination,” a track that strongly showcases its post-punk influence. I really liked the vibe of this song. The violin that comes in the second half significantly changes the flow. Since I didn’t find the vocals annoying here, it scored some points with me. Additionally, I’d like to share some information about the number 5573, which dominates the song. 5573 was the number on Daniel’s hospital bracelet during his time in the hospital. The lyrics reflect his feelings of helplessness and loneliness, as he couldn’t reach or get responses from anyone. These might be metaphors for the desperation and solitude Daniel felt during his hospital stay.

The next song, “In Wait and in Worries,” is indeed a sad one. I can describe it as dark and safe. In the first half, it made me feel like I was listening to Jake Smith (The White Buffalo). The vocals are quite similar in this song. If you have playlists for feeling sad at night, you can add this one.

“Lost in a Moment” is one of the songs where I didn’t like the vocals but loved the instrumentation. I particularly enjoyed the intro and the aggressive atmosphere in the middle. An epic beginning usually raises my expectations for what comes next. Another interesting thing is that this song references the famous David Bowie track “Space Oddity” with the lyrics “now put your helmet on, the countdown has begun. 8,7,6,5…”

Moving on to “Ominous One” and “Ominous Too.” First of all, I really liked the “two”- “too” wordplay. “Ominous One” is a short transition track that speeds up the album before leading into the next part. I liked the use of strings in “Ominous Too”; they could have been even more prominent. The backing vocals in the middle added a nice touch as well. It’s not an outstanding song, but it’s quite relaxing.

As Mr. Daniel says in his song, ‘the end is coming.’ We’re slowly approaching the final tracks. “One Without Dreams” was another song where the vocals didn’t satisfy me. In fact, there’s not much to highlight in this song. Moving on.

“The End of the World,” an instrumental track, caught my attention with its energizing drum beats. I liked this feature in “Lost in a Moment” as well. A mix of electronic sounds, violin, and drums created something enjoyable. The violin rising towards the end reminded me of “Lux Aeterna.” It gave me chills.

Now, we come to my favorite, “Cosmic Sailor.” Finally, a song that didn’t disappoint me with its vocal performance and compositions. This track has a strong 70s progressive rock vibe. It’s a 7-minute piece that also reflects Daniel’s spiritual side. He mentioned believing in cosmic energy and said that, due to his age and illness, his perceptions have broadened. This song touches on that.

The album’s bonus and closing track, “In Gloom,” is an acoustic piece with high folk influence. Although the melancholy can be felt through the strings, I’d say it’s somewhat independent of the album’s overall theme. Maybe that’s why it’s a bonus.

Overall, this isn’t a bedside album for me. But considering that Daniel carried this album on his own, I have to commend him. Compared to many of the band’s previous albums, “Ominous” undeniably has better quality. I’m particularly curious about what long-time Lake of Tears fans think about this album. If you haven’t listened to any songs from the album yet, you can start with “Cosmic Sailor” or “Lost in a Moment.”

Asuna Pehlivan