Guest Reviewer: LordSlop
Band: Om
CD Title: Pilgrimage
Year: 2007
Website: To be updated
MySpace: Unknown
Label: Southern Lord
Featured on: Loucifer Speaks Guest Reviewer Exclusive
Rating: 9 / 10
More Links: Please discuss this review and band in the Loucifer Speaks forum.

Om was formed from the rhythm section of great stoner band Sleep, but Om’s work is definitely original. A short album (iTunes lists it as an EP), at only about half an hour, it nevertheless creates an illusion of space, via the two long songs, Pilgrimage and Bhima’s Theme. I have had it for a month or so, but for some reason only first listened to it a day or two ago.

The album revolves around the repeating circular mantra of the title track (and its reprise), a hauntingly atmospheric and faintly Arabic-sounding chant which I enjoy, though some might find it wears the patience somewhat (15 minutes of it). It wouldn’t be much of an album without any sense of contrast, however, and this comes in the form of the other two songs, Bhima’s Theme and Unitive Knowledge of the Godhead, both of which contain cool riffs, of the ‘Holy Mountain’ variety. The former, a thoughtful cosmic saga (the lyrics are near-incomprehensible) in musical form, links in to the title track between passages of down-tuned doominess and meditative quiet, while the latter is an excellent short song, again sharing in the hypnotic central melody. Cisneros’ vocals, always exemplary, fit in beautifully with the haunting essence, and overall I’m a bit of a happy bunny.