February 15, 2005 (CD) / April 18, 2005 (Vinyl) Labels: Holy Mountain (Original), Drag City (Current) Producer: Billy Anderson and Om Genre: Stoner metal, Doom metal, Drone metal
: The lyrics consist of rhythmic chants and quasi-mystical imagery focused on themes of flight, ascent, and liberation. Track Listing om variations on a theme rar
In the deep, tectonic world of drone metal and transcendental heavy music, few bands command the kind of reverent, cult-like devotion as OM. The duo—later trio—formed by bassist/vocalist Al Cisneros (formerly of Sleep) and drummer Chris Haikus (later joined by Emil Amos) has built a discography that feels less like music and more like a slow, meditative earthquake. Among their most sought-after, whispered-about, and digitally elusive releases is a piece of work that fans often refer to under the keyword: February 15, 2005 (CD) / April 18, 2005
, featuring the rhythm section of the legendary doom metal band Sleep. and perpetually renewed.
Concluding note: variations on Om are less variations of a sound than variations on attention. Each modulation invites a new stance toward breathing, listening, and being. Through ornament, fragmentation, pitch, layering, time, silence, and context, the one-syllable theme becomes many worlds — rarified, resonant, and perpetually renewed.