Before the pale glow of modernity’s halogen glare, Los Angeles was a place where dreams were sculpted from shadow and starlight, where certain figures emerged bearing an eerie magnetism that defied easy categorization. Omar Doom is one such artist—an esoteric anti-hero who seems to glide between worlds, carved from midnight silhouettes and channeling the mystique of pulp noir and the golden age of the silver screen. Dark, mysterious, and macabre, he stands as a maestro of tenebrous beats, epitomizing this timeless allure.
Over the last few years, this enigma has honed his artistic vision through Straight Razor, forging an ominous sonic identity that draws power from the lifeblood of darkwave, goth, and shadow-cloaked electronica. Now, he has set loose upon the world Casualty, his full-length debut release that courses with feverish intensity, orchestrating a danse macabre of internal turmoil and ecstasy. With haunting vocals buried beneath walls of heavy synth, it’s a record that grapples with the personal demons that coil in the pit of the stomach, that scrape at the psyche during sleepless nights, and that take form in moments of anxiety, loss, and solitude. It’s also a testament to Doom’s restless spirit—an invitation to peer through the keyhole into an underworld where emotional torment becomes a catalyst for creative transcendence.
Casualty is a fever dream of mechanized rhythms, spectral whispers, and melodic anguish. It’s a crucible, both personal and universal, reflecting the inexorable pressures of a world that demands obedience and conformity. This music radiates tension and release—an elegant, menacing embrace.
“Creating Casualty has been a deeply personal journey,” says Doom. “I’ve always wanted to make a Straight Razor vocal album, and this year, I poured everything into it. The songs reflect my frequent battles with overwhelming anxiety—an experience that can feel like the end of the world. This album is my way of confronting those struggles and finding beauty in the chaos.”
The album begins with the smoldering dark pulses of the title track, Casualty. Icy, mechanized goth-laden synth beats drive the song, ominous and foreboding, as Omar Doom’s spectral vocal delivery cuts through with haunting precision. There’s an unmistakable nod to old-school goth EBM, cinematic in its execution, and steeped in a sense of unease. Thematically, the track delves into the silent erosion of individuality. As a collective, we unconsciously bow to society’s unspoken rules, surrendering personal freedom to fit within its rigid framework. The invisible hand of expectation molds us, demanding obedience until our own desires are barely discernible. Under the weight of conformity, self-expression crumbles, and we become casualties of this relentless pressure—a mere cog in the machinery of societal order. Casualty compels reflection, confronting listeners with the stark reality of their place within the system.
“As we navigate this life, we adapt to the unspoken rules of society, becoming casualties of the ways of the world,” says Doom.
The Curse begins with an ominous bassline and organ-toned synths, pulsing to a danceable beat that lingers between darkwave and Italo disco. It conjures images of a vampire’s waltz under moonlit arches or a packed European goth club, alive with nocturnal rhythms reminiscent of a Giallo thriller’s taut suspense. Doom’s spectral voice guides the listener through a landscape of dark desires and the irresistible pull of self-destruction.
“I wrote The Curse about the masochistic tendencies we all possess in the pursuit of happiness,” Doom explains. “After escaping the depths of our misery, we are willing to jump right back into the fire. There’s no mercy for anyone.”
Black Smoke Rising drifts in like a storm on the horizon, foreboding with thunderclaps of bass synth and a deep, sensual pulse. The kick drum beats with sinister precision, driving a relentless rhythm steeped in macabre allure. Echoes of Nine Inch Nails, Skinny Puppy, and Ministry ripple through, simmering with tension before striking with industrial ferocity.
Misery shifts gears with a dark synth-pop beat that grips the body, pulling it into a dance-driven momentum. Hints of 80s darkwave mix with traces of futurepop à la Covenant, its icy vocal synths and shimmering melody cutting sharply through the track. Black Elixir follows, unspooling with metallic melodies, jittery synths, and a staggering beat. The lyrics bite, the vocal melody soars, and the composition lands squarely in that golden era of Depeche Mode, somewhere between Black Celebration and Ultra, where darkness and beauty collide.
Suffering begins with an unsettling hum, unraveling into an Industrial EBM beat driven by sharp hi-hats and pounding drums that throttle the tempo. Siren-like sounds flicker in the background, lending the track a decadent darkness, both chaotic and controlled. It throbs with an unrelenting, feverish energy.
Cold Moon shifts into a gothic reverie, opening with an icy, off-kilter rhythm and the haunting chime of bells. Its disorienting melody draws the listener deeper, culminating in a crooning chorus that feels both fragile and forceful, a moment of clarity amidst the swirl.
The album closes with The End, where buoyant, staccato metallic synths collide with a perfectly measured drumbeat. The synth work spirals, playful yet ominous, like John Carpenter crafting a Dark Disco anthem. Omar Doom’s swaggering vocals layer over a hypnotic hook, blending melody and menace into a final statement of eerie brilliance.
Casualty is out now. Order the album here. You can listen below or via the streaming service of your choice here,
Raised in the streets of Eastern Pennsylvania, where skateboarding and music shaped his youth, Doom earned a BFA from Parsons, splitting time between New York and Paris. After moving to Los Angeles, he launched a clothing line with his sister and forged a fateful friendship with Quentin Tarantino, landing roles in Death Proof and Inglourious Basterds. Yet music remained his calling. In 2023, he launched Doom Vision, propelling Straight Razor into the limelight. Two EPs and a remix album later, Straight Razor opened for VNV Nation’s 2024 North American tour.
In 2023, Doom launched his label, Doom Vision Records, to give Straight Razor and other projects a home. The label’s first release was STRAIGHT RAZOR – REMIXED, featuring contributions from the likes of Gost, Corvad, Moris Blak, Nightcrawler, Destryur, and ESA. This year, Doom Vision expanded its roster with the release of Destryur’s album Dimensions.
In 2025, Straight Razor will take Casualty on the road, embarking on a world tour as the opening act for VNV Nation. The tour kicks off on February 5, 2025, in Germany
The celebration begins with an exclusive album release party and live performance at The Echo in Los Angeles on December 15, 2024. Joining the band for this special night will be the electrifying acts Fuedal and Healng. Get tickets here.
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