OM – God is Good

God is Good is the first outing for the new look OM. The original two-piece that recorded the monumental stoner albums Conference of Birds and Pilgrimage has sadly parted ways. Founding member and drummer Chris Hakius now presumably wanders the earth on a pilgrimage of his own.Al Cisneros meanwhile continues his mystical journey along with newly recruited Grails drummer Emil Amos. For all of Sunn 0)))'s robes, it was always OM that appeared to have a more spiritual edge to them. Not content to achieve higher states of consciousness through sheer weight and sonic flagellation, OM preferred to give praise in a similar droning manner, but utilised a more hymnal, delicate approach.Opening track 'Thebes' is a 19 minute behemoth. From the outset it’s clear that something has changed in OM’s outlook. Beginning life as little more than a twinkle in a sitar player’s eye is an unexpected opening gambit. We’re now so used to OM utilising just drum and bass that this is something of a curve ball. Tablas come next, along with a groaning zither accompanying Cisneros’ familiar hushed vocals. It’s a full six minutes before Amos’ drums make an appearance. As usual Cisneros’ bass underpins the whole thing providing the thrust of the song, but it’s OM’s dalliance with new instrumentation that really grabs the attention this time out. As well as the aforementioned tabla and sitar, there’s a carefully utilised piano adding a mournful edge to the song. Used sparingly, it acquires a sinister voice making unsettling interjections behind Cisneros’ tales of mystical travelers. Thebes opens up further when the familiar bass roar takes hold evoking the swollen blackened metal of early Sabbath. Amos’ drumming here is far more free and subtle than that of his predecessor, giving the OM sound a wider scope than perhaps was realised on earlier efforts. Of course it’s all still mind bogglingly heavy and relentless, grinding away with a definite sense of purpose that leaves chasms in its wake. For these 19 minutes OM feel like an unstoppable force.'Meditation is The Practice of Death' finds OM back in more straightforward mode. Cisneros’ vocals are almost superfluous as the band gently unleash their hypnotic personality. Amos’ makes his mark more obviously on this track with a tightly tuned kit that pings in the inner ear. More unusually in terms of the OM canon are the incredibly intricate drum rolls that flash across the track becoming more and more elaborate. Amos is never forceful however, and his delicate playing sits well within the lull that surrounds it. Around the five minute mark he almost seems to pester Cisneros into getting on with it, jabbing at him with light stabbing rolls and encouraging the bassist to catch up. Perhaps the most surprising moment is the introduction of a flute solo at the end of the song which should sound out of place and yet somehow seems to fit perfectly.'Cremation Ghat Pt 1' is a fairly pacey number by OM standards. Coming on like a Middle Eastern, or perhaps African funk track. Initially it’s propelled only by rim-shots, handclaps and a tambourine. Eventually Amos adds a few drum rolls and they’re off and rolling once again. Cisneros’ vocals are absent this time around, allowing the music to full envelop and entrance. It is perhaps the only OM song that could be deemed as danceable. 'Cremation Ghat Pt 2' has a far more Indian feel to it with sitar and zither making a return. It sounds not unlike Secret Chiefs Three dropping an acid and ketamine cocktail whilst trying to find themselves and having a severely bad trip. It’s both creepy and celebratory at the same time, and as a result this new psychedelic world that OM have chosen to inhabit is both tempting and terrifying.As much as we must mourn the passing of the original line up of OM, we should not be apprehensive in accepting this new and invigorated version. They, like Sunn O))) did earlier in the year with Dimensions, are exploring the outer limits and are discovering new elements in their sound in the process.God is Good proves that there’s plenty of life left in OM yet, and with the band finding a new openness it seems likely that there will be an abundance of stoned cosmic tales to be told in the future.