Doomed Confessionary: Tom, Jimmy & Luke (Orme)
Photo by Steve Roden
Orme is a drone/doom/psych metal trio from Hertfordshire, UK.
Tom Clements (guitars, vocals), Jimmy Long (bass) and Luke Thelin (drums) have shared stages with Acid Mothers Temple, Godflesh, 40 Watt Sun, Dystopian Future Movies, Torpor and have been invited to play coveted slots at Desertfest London, Masters Of The Riff, Cosmic Vibration and Ruination Festival.
The band announced a brand new EP, »No Serpents, No Saviours«, which will be released on August 23rd, 2024. This EP consists of one single 24 minute track that sees the band make their most immediate, savage and exhilarating release yet as the band fully embrace death doom metal.
Can you say a few words about your band?
We are Orme. A doom/drone/psychedelic metal band from Hertfordshire.
What was the biggest challenge for the band?
I think the biggest challenge for us was getting shows at the start. Drone is a very niche genre and not many people are willing to take a chance on something that is quite different from the norm. Luckily though we managed to get our feet in many doors. And making some amazing friends along the way that help us out.
What can you be most proud of so far?
I think we are proud that we even got this band off the ground! It’s one thing having an idea, but then another to actually bring it to life. The band started out as just something for a couple of friends to jam together with, and now it’s a proper band with merch, and albums and everything!
What was your biggest regret?
Probably not playing more shows haha!
What was the best concert/tour so far and why?
All the gigs we’ve played so far this year have been amazing. Masters Of The Riff, Desertfest and Ruination have definitely been standout shows. Desertfest was a dream come true for us. Some of us have been going for years and it was a huge honour to be asked to play.
What was the biggest surprise on the music scene for you?
I wouldn’t say a surprise, but more pride in how well our friends in other bands are doing. Like Old Horn Tooth for example, who are not only an amazing doom band who have put the work in, but they also support the underground metal scene with their London Doom Collective, putting on shows and also putting out bands records (like Erronaut for example).
What is currently in your heavy musical rotation?
Tom: I’ve been loving the new Thou album. And the new Uncle Acid album is a masterpiece. But apart from that I’ve not really been listening to much metal recently. It’s mostly been shoegaze, psychedelic/dark folk and noise rock. Bands such as Cloakroom, Part Chimp, Linda Perhacs and CHVE.
Luke: I’ve been listening to a bit of everything, but I tend to focus on new releases more often than not. I’ve been really enjoying Greyhaven and Night Verses’ latest pretty much non-stop recently and a lot of ambient and experimental artists like Arthur King, Suss, and Loris S. Sarid have been putting great stuff out. Then the likes of The Mars Volta and Manchester Orchestra are never far away for me.
Jimmy: Stuff out this year has been the new for me – Coffins, Old Horn Tooth and Spectral Voice, looking forward to new Goblinsmoker and Mork. Normally I delve into older stuff I ain’t heard and loving these old rehearsal and live show releases from Mayhems.
What was the best advice you’ve ever been given as a musician?
Tom: I think the best advice I’ve ever been given in my life is to surround yourself with interesting and strange people. That way you’ll never be bored or boring, and become interesting yourself.
Luke: Always wear earplugs.
Jimmy: Respect your elders in music. For example, if you’re a massive fan of a genre like Deathcore – at least give Death, Morbid Angel and Autopsy the time they deserve as you wouldn’t have what you have without the stalwarts. You don’t have to like them just at least show some understanding.
What are your guilty pleasures?
Tom: The Simpsons. I say that it’s a guilty pleasure, but I swear at nearly every show I’ve gone to, you throw a Simpsons quote out and everyone will laugh their arses off.
Luke: I don’t think I really have any guilty pleasures. If you like something you should own it!
Jimmy: Not a guilty pleasure but unknown to some – I am a big fan of dungeon synth such as Old Sorcery, Putrid Marsh and Questmaster as well as synthwave like Megadrive, Dance With The Dead and The Midnight.
Can you say something more about the music scene in Hertfordshire?
Hertfordshire has a thriving metal scene that is often overlooked because of its close proximity to London. It is under threat right now as the last bastion venue, Club 85 in Hitchin, is set to close at the end of the year. BUT the people who run it have said that they will be looking to open a new venue soon, and continue the good work of nurturing the Hertfordshire music scene in general.
Where can we see you live this year (concerts/tours)?
Cosmic Vibrations Festival in Sheffield at the end of August and Fell Foot Wood in the Lake District in September.
What are your plans for the future as a band?
Keep writing new material. Keep pushing ourselves musically. See where it takes us.
How can people best support your band?
We have a new release called »No Serpents, No Saviours« coming out on August 23rd. You can preorder it now through our Bandcamp: ormedroneuk.bandcamp.com.
Do you have any message for your listeners?
Just keep on droning!
Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well