Admittedly, I got infected late. Long, long after the release of the 2012 masterpiece Advaitic Songs, which is still the current record, but therefore, not less lasting.
To catch the trio from Albuquerque, New Mexico, live is a difficult task. If at all, then on selected and special festivals (such as Roadburn e.g.) and perhaps during some filling dates in between. So it happened on this Sunday evening at the :: FZW Club :: in Dortmund, Germany.
When I arrived there were not many people around. But right before the beginning the club was suddenly packed. On a Sunday evening. With such an experimental band performing. Without support. Wow! I’m impressed and I still have hopes for the general taste in music and the concert business ;)
:: pics :: OM ::
However. :: OM :: are pretty much a mystery. They like to shroud themselves in silence, especially, when it comes to talk about a new album. No much general information either. And hardly any word live on stage. Odd people, but that’s make them likeable ;)
OM kicked off with a 20 minutes delay, which is ok when you are the one and only band playing. Fans just have to wait a bit longer, which, no doubt, increased the anticipation.
OM came out on stage, one at a time. First Tyler Trotter who had to put bells on feet and to sort his assortment of synths, samplers, noisemakers and effects, a guitar off to his right and a couple tambourines and tanpura on the floor. Next up was drummer Emil Amos followed by Al Cisneros. A short applause, lights off, intro and the three protagonists immersed into inner hearing. Ommmmmmmmmmmm.
Ok, bad joke, but I could not resist ;) Just to explain: "Om' is the Hindu syllable known as the natural vibration of the universe, often used as a mantra (a rhythmic ritual word that Hindus use and repeat for a long time when getting in trance mental states)".
OM directly started with the two über-songs from Advaitic Songs: Gethsemane and State Of -non-Return. Wow, what a strong beginning! What an otherworldly musical experience. I got immediately sucked into their very own sound cosmos of bass dominated psychedelic and sludgy Stoner Rock, spiritually driven, and as hypnotic to watch as it was to hear. Melody lines were intricate and minimalist at the same time, slowly growing to monuments of meditative music. Sometimes repeated again and again, like a mantra. Melodies got lost and were picked up again, while Middle Eastern tones flavored the sound. When Al Cisneros gained momentum and kicked in power and distortion not only the cups that stood on stage started to bounce and vibrate. What a feeling! I absolutely love it when you can feel the music all over your body. By the way, what a wonderful bass Al played there (a signature Rickenbacker 4003AC).
Some parts seemed to be played improvised, or differently interpreted, definitely not played as on their record. This was quite interesting.
Lights were static, one blue spot for Al, one for Tyler, drummer Emil was left in the dark. And there was a lot of smoke. Well, to see an OM show is actually secondary. It is all about to hear and to feel.
It became really hot and sweaty in the club, although the heat outside had turned this day to more comfortable temperatures and some rain in sight. Heat took its toll. Sweaty faces everywhere and even drummer Emil’s sticks slipped away. Fans caught them with a smile but had to give them back.
Unfortunately, the sound was really bad. Al's singing was hardly to hear and so were the soundscapes by Tyler. That he played guitars and tambourines you only realized when watching him doing so.
Nevertheless, an impressing show! I loved every second. Except when some stupid and drunken douchebags loudly discussed about random shit. By the way, the same talking assholes that went on my nerves at earlier shows in that club. Next time I promise a powerful nut shot!
OM played hardly 80 minutes and left without any ado. No words, no encore. Bummer! The show was, of course, way too short. And what about a new album? Word has it… perhaps at the end of the year?
Band: Al Cisneros (bass), Emil Amos (drums), Tyler Trotter (keys & stuff)
Setlist: Intro, Gethsemane, State Of -non-Return, Cremation Ghat I, Cremation Ghat II, Sinai, Haqq al-Yaqin
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