Release Date: May 29th 2026. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: DD/Vinyl
Orm 2 - Tracklisting
1.Homunkoloss
2.Kometenwein
3.Muggroom Caravan
4.Inazea
5.Nachtigalloskop (feat. Allysen Callery)
Members
Jonas Wenz – Guitar & Vocals
Kevin Krenczer – Bass
Florian Grass – Drums
Review
Orm 2 is the second album from Doom/Stoner Metallers Mother Bear who take a slightly more dramatic Droned Out route compared to their debut album which elevates them closer to the Doom Metal way of life. The record is monolithically heavy, dense and full of progressive distortion. Mother Bear takes inspiration from the likes of Electric Wizard, Monolord, Windhand and Pallbearer on various stages of the album. The sound is quite murky, down-beat and fully showcases a gloomy sense of slow paced methodology appearing within their music.
The level of distorted heaviness is perhaps Mother Bear’s main musical weapon of choice creating a bleak sonic fuelled landscape of grim progressive themes which come across superbly well within opening track Homunkoloss which does pay great homage to the likes of Black Sabbath and Electric Wizard. The vocals from Jonas Wenz can be quite merciful at times but one that sticks closely to the modern Doom/Stoner Metal rulebook which always feels refreshing and contemporary at the same time. Mother Bear adds levels of distorted Drone Metal hysteria which keeps the mood sullen, violent and superbly refreshing with their slow-paced style of AMPLIFIER DISTORTION with echoes of intense melody forming from the very start.
Second track Kometenwein continues with that LOW & SLOW musical trajectory as Mother Bear finds new ways of delivering brooding moments of Progressive sounding Doom/Stoner Metal grooves which sees a modern day quality bursting out with fans of Monolord and Pallbearer will enjoy. There’s still a classic DOOM METAL perspective being used with areas of swirling Space Rock making a welcome appearance. The change isn’t subtle and Mother Bear don’t have time to FUCK arround making everything sound clean and effortless. This is music full of dirt, dirge, grime and everything you want from a song that has the makings of being a true underground Doomed Out Metal anthem.
Mother Bear really excel at delivering the violent fuzz metal aspects of this type of music that relies heavily on the “LESS IS MORE” approach especially when the band move further into the COSMIC DOOM and SPACED OUT abyss. The atmosphere becomes less riff dominated with Mother Bear using superior long drawn out notes which are still highly melodic and full of hidden psychedelic pleasures lurking in the background.
Third track Muggroom Caravan allows Mother Bear the opportunity to play a faster, heavier and more straightforward style of Stoner Metal where the droned aspects are left out completely. This is relies more heavily on the thrilling musical delivery of the epic rhythm section of Kevin Krenczer on Bass and Florian Grass on Drums respectively. The lead vocals of Jonas flirt between Electric Wizard shock value and Black Sabbath cinematic storytelling whilst putting his own great musical identity into the mix.
It’s business as usual for the final two tracks of Inazea and Nachtigalloskop with Mother Bear employing their heaviest, surreal and violent sounds for the closing stages of the album. These tracks can be quite subversive with Mother Bear using an experimental vibe at times but never losing their warped WEEDIAN perspective for moments of sheer psychedelic terror emitting from the speakers. The cautious slow-paced approach holds everything together with the whole creative narrative not changing direction much at all.
This may seem a very safe route to take for some but Mother Bear is more about the journey than the eventual destination. As nothing feels safe about this great album. Mother Bear brilliantly executes their violent down-tuned sonic imagery down to a masterful art form that leaves you wholly satisfied but one that also leaves you wanting more at the same time.
Orm 2 is a first rate exercise in how to create a modern day Droned Out musical experience that pays respect to everything that has come before it but also one that allows Mother Bear to create their own highly important blend of intense music.
Words by Steve Howe
Thanks to Mother Bear for the promo..
Orm 2 is available to buy now on Digital Download / Vinyl Formats.
Links
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