Search - Om :: Pilgrimage

...And On Goes The Drone Drift...

Al-Ghaieru | Wisconsin, AKA | 10/14/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is somewhat different from Om's previous efforts, although the elements from older songs are still present. The immediate sound the listener is met with is subdued and quiet, much like the first song on "Conference Of The Birds." A reviewer of that particular album of Om's compared that sound to the trancelike nature of Pink Floyd's "Saucerful Of Secrets." The immediate quiet droning on the first song of "Pilgrimage" brings the Doors to mind-the riffing, shuffling around in D-minor is what gives this effect. The lulling feeling produced by this is short lived, giving way to abrupt punches of noise and feedback, keeping the listener on their toes. The third song is like the first song on the aforementioned "Conference," although with much more feedback-more like a variation of that song. In all, an album that might be a little surprising to fans of Om's previous efforts, but still a reward for the listener who likes to coast on waves of feedback and microtonal variations."

Pure Religion is Love in Action

Hand of Doom | The Wonderful World of Colonized Minds | 11/10/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Outstanding third soundscape from Sleep's rhythmic duo, Om. Although on its surface there isn't any new ground traversed with Pilgrimage, that is precisely the point, forging inward to move onward: the deeper one goes, the higher one gets. As with Sleep, it's about what comes from the heart, not the hands. In fact, Om, substantively, much how Sleep increasingly became via Dopesmoker [a pot smoking Christ returns at the apocalypse to lead The Way], could be perceived as a band delivering an irrefutable spiritual message, one they effectively convey through the use of recurring, hypnotic, chant-like metaphysical grooves, religious recitations and mantra bliss. Om creates music that embodies thee stone-righteous Heavy; that essential, overarching vibe that defines the Sabbath/doom metal sub-genre, and is the sole purpose such monumental music exists. It's the majestic mood of Om's brand of head music that likely induces average, normal people, even many heavy metal fans, to conjure up visions of doomsday drug cults. Interestingly, the quieter Om plays the more subversive and "heavy" the overall affect of their delivery.



The title track, Pilgrimage, sounds vaguely reminiscent of Pink Floyd's Set The Controls For The Heart of The Sun, coupled with Black Sabbath's Planet Caravan. Again, not ground breaking, but echoing from a point of genuine reverence. Pilgrimage's hushed, folkishly psychedelic sounds, likewise pitched to perfection on their previous LP's At Giza, evoke a spiritually liberating yet eerie atmosphere while likewise serving to augment the aural pummeling of their fully distorted sound. No finer example of this comes toward the end of Bhima's Theme: sans drums, the clean, ethereal bass lines flutter along as Al intones "Lazarus..." creating a palpabe tension before the due's trademark sound awakens and shudders on cue like a wrathful beast heralding transformation, an existential trip to oblivion, or darkness boiling up from a doomed Earth. Chris's ride cymbal bell doesn't merely ring, it tolls. Available on limited edition 180gm rust or blue colored vinyl."

A slight step back, and a slight step forward for Om.

Parkansky | Morehead, KY USA | 10/15/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Om has changed nothing and at the same time, changed a bit on this album. Their first for Southern Lord, the drone duo has progressed in terms of songwriting, but at the same time, it's what you would expect from Om.



First, I must say congratulations to Steve Albini for finally finding the right production needed for Om. The bass just sounds much fuller and more alive sounding than previous records. And for once, you can hear the drums better other than the ride symbal and and snare. Fantastic.



As far as songs go, there's some great stuff on here, but alas, the album is once again, too short. The first track is very relaxing and not exactly what you would call an "attention-getter." But it does the job well. The distortion doesn't kick in until a minute or so into "Unitive Knowledge Of The Godhead" (weird title), another slow-churning groove that the band does so well. Bhimas' Theme is basically a rewrite of the earlier track, with a bit more dynamics thrown in. The 4th track is basically a shorter reprise of the title track, which is interesting in a "there and back again" point of view.



The biggest complaint I would have is that the album, while entertaining, doesn't have as nice a flow as Variations or Conference did. It's for the most part, a very quiet album. Not that quiet is a bad thing, but when you're the rhythm section of one of the most influential doom metal bands of all time, people expect you to get real heavy. Also, I don't really dig the fadeouts on each track. If they extended the tracks (which is a real rare case that I'm ranting on here) and thought of better endings, this would've gotten a perfect 5.



Needless to say, this is another great album from the duo, and it doesn't detract from their impressive catalog. Fans should have no trouble eating this one up."