Release
date: November
9th
2018.
Label: Holy
Roar Records.
Format: CD/DD/Vinyl
Exist
–
Tracklisting
1.Subjects
2.Shambles
3.Calves
4.Lay
Down Your Fire Arms
Review
OHHMS
new album Exist sees a change in personal for the band and a slightly
different musical direction. Exist is a more political and angry
sounding album compared to their acclaimed debut album The Fool. As
this album focuses on the plights of Animal Rights.
OHHMS
still
deal in creating progressive Post-Doom sounds that takes elements of
many different musical genres. Though the band never lose sight in
what has made them one of the UK’s standout Doom Metal Bands over
the last decade or so. This album despite the hard subject matter is
a more groovier affair and that’s saying something. As previous
OHHMS
releases
have had an abundance of different riffs that are highly melodic as
well.
A
few folks were put off from one of the songs, The Lovers, from the
fool. As it was a side we hadn’t seen from OHHMS
before.
I wasn’t one of those people. I loved that song and still do. Folks
complained it was to mellow. You don’t need to worry here as the 4
songs held on the album are loud and heavy with a deep social and
political meaning.
Opening
song – Subjects – tells the story about animal suffering. Though
set against a Post-Doom/Sludge Rock backdrop. The 22 minute song is
split into individual chapters and plays out like a mini rock opera.
Inspired by the 70s Prog Rock scene but firmly remaining a
Dom/Sludge/Post-Metal song that only elevates you closer to OHHMS
world.
Second
song – Shambles – carries on the haunting and hard-hitting social
message of the opening track. The song opens with a soothing ambient
riff before drifting into familiar OHHMS
Post-Doom/Sludge
territory. Paul’s vocals are perhaps the best part of the song. As
he brings the song fully to life. The song really comes to life when
the band change the whole flow of the song by playing a more hopeful
Post-Rock sound and then back to their familiar Doom/Sludge hybrid
sound.
Third
song – Calves – is a more sombre offering as the music is quite
sad and bleak. The slow psychedelic riffs only lowers the mood and
Paul’s vocals remain the voice of reason with personal and
heartfelt lyrics. The music does return to the heavier sounds the
other songs have. This is one of the best songs that OHHMS
have
written to date. As the song holds everything you love about the
band. Epic progressive sounds and highly passionate vocals to match.
Lay
Down Fire
Arms is the final song and perhaps the most straight forward Sludge
metal song on the album. As the band play a heavier hardcore punk
sound that’s quite relentless. Maybe some shades of early 90s/00s
Alt-Metal appear but this is still OHHMS
show
and the dual vocals drive the hard-hitting message home.
Exist
is brilliantly produced and shows OHHMS
evolution
as not only a band but one of the scene’s most forward thinking
bands currently out there.
OHHMS
are
now 4 record into their career but Exist is their most daring and
creative album to date. Though I rate Exist the same as The Fool and
this proves why OHHMS
are
one of my favourite bands today. The political and social messages
of Exist maybe too jarring for some. Hopefully people will stay the
course and experience one of the best albums of the year.
Exist
is a true original.
Words
by Steve Howe
Thanks
to Claire
at Purple Sage PR for the
promo. Exist
is
available to buy now on CD/DD/Vinyl via HolyRoar Records from November 9th
2018.
Links:
