REVIEW

The fifth album from Swedish post-metal / doomgaze duo Oh Hiroshima.

Oh Hiroshima debuted in 2011 with the self-released Resistance Is Futile and gained widespread attention with their 2015 sophomore album In Silence We Yearn, which quickly established their name in the post-rock scene. A track from that album currently boasts an impressive 4.56 million views on the YouTube post-rock channel WherePostRockDwells. Following this success, the band signed with metal-oriented Napalm Records for two subsequent albums. This release marks their first album on Pelagic Records, home to post-metal acts such as The Ocean and Cult of Luna. While the band previously operated as a four-piece, they are now a sibling duo of Jakob Hemström (guitar/vocals) and Oskar Nilsson (drums).

Opening track #1 “Wild Iris” showcases the band’s signature dynamic shifts between calm and intensity, evoking the turbulent seascape of the album’s cover art. Jakob’s vocals play a more prominent role here, further enhancing the harmonic interplay with the instruments. A personal favorite, #6 “Deluge,” combines intricate rhythms and desolate soundscapes reminiscent of Opeth or Anathema, creating a unique identity that sets them apart from typical post-rock. The track also features strings and chamber-music-inspired arrangements, adding a touch of elegance.

This album is highly recommended not only for fans of post-rock and doomgaze but also for listeners who appreciate progressive music. While Napalm Records may have been a slightly mismatched home, Oh Hiroshima’s move to Pelagic seems perfect—they sound revitalized and poised for continued growth.