Album
Type:
EP
Date
Released:
29th
June 2015
Label:
Holy
Roar Records
Cold
- Track Listing:
1.The Anchor
2.Dawn Of The Swarm
Review:
OHHMS
are back with their 2nd EP - Cold. Just only 8 months after their
acclaimed debut EP - Bloom. OHHMS's style of music blends Post-Metal,
Doom, Sludge, Stoner, Psych Rock and Noise to portray a band with a
unique identity of their own. Bloom showed OHHMS were a loud, noisy
and destructive unit which had me begging for more. Here, OHHMS
experiment with their sound yet again as the band decide to add a
huge amount of 70s Prog Rock atmospherics.
You
still experience the familiar sounds from their celebrated debut EP
but Bloom sees OHHMS bravely expand their sound with Paul's vocals
offering a more dramatic feel. I would say Paul as Lead Vocalist is
the one thing that has changed dramatically as his vocals go through
a wide range of moods and emotions compared to Bloom. Cold offers two
epic lengthy tracks - The Anchor which runs at 18:30 mins and Dawn Of
The Storm which runs for 14:26 mins.
The
Anchor is the loudest of the two tracks and the one which feels like
a continuation from Bloom though with layers of 70s Prog Rock
offering a more robust experience. Heavy Sludge/Stoner guitars are
amped into the mix with ferocious drumming that sees OHHMS more angry
than ever. The Anchor tells an intriguing story as OHHMS have written
powerful and haunting lyrics to match the violent and out of control
riffs. OHHMS deserve credit for structuring their songs into
different parts as this EP has the feel and identity of a full length
record instead of an EP that the band are classifying this release
as.
The
final track - Dawn Of The Swarm - sees OHHMS paying homage to their
musical heroes from the heyday of 60s/70s Classic Hard Rock and Prog
Rock mixed with the familiar Sludge/Stoner Rock vibes hidden amongst
the groovy riffs. The tracks open with a dreamy guitar riff and
shades of psych rock that brings back memories of The Who. OHHMS
can't resist unleashing the thunder for all you heavy sludge rock
fans. Vocalist Paul offers a different vocal experience that I've
heard from him before. As Paul blends aggressive punk based vocals
and even tender heartfelt vocals that has a distinctive Roger Daltrey
aura around them. Strange, Yeah, I know but that's the vibe that I
get from listening to the song.
When
OHHMS become angry the riffs are LOUD, LEAN and HEAVY. Wait until
they slow things right down and you see OHHMS in a different light.
Some people may not like the change of sound that OHHMS have created
here but when have OHHMS ever played by rules in their action packed
short career so far. Conventional isn't a word in their vocabulary.
Experimental, Loud, Heavy and Emotional are words that OHHMS do
understand as the EP offers all of those experiences and more.
I
know most people will prefer Bloom to Cold. That's fine as they're
both outstanding records but I prefer Cold as it shows OHHMS are a
band ready to take on the world and on this form, whose going to stop
them. The production on the EP is once again superb. OHHMS are
starting to get a well deserved reputation within the UK
Sludge/Stoner Rock scene. I feel with Cold that OHHMS have the
potential to grace some of the more prestigious International
Sludge/Stoner Metal festivals and beyond. Cold is a brilliant record and
stands out as a potential Album/EP of the year.
Thanks
to OHHMS for the promo. Cold will be available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl
from Holy Roar Records from June 29th 2015. There's a whole range of
packages to order from Holy Roar Records and BandCamp.
Words
by Steve Howe
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