First there was the legendary band Sleep that released the equally legendary album ‘Jerusalem’ last century (in ’99 to be precise), described by many as ‘a stoner metal masterp...

Read more

First there was the legendary band Sleep that released the equally legendary album ‘Jerusalem’ last century (in ’99 to be precise), described by many as ‘a stoner metal masterpiece’. Even our own Evil Superstars are devoted fans and played the album in its entirety at AB during Mauro’s curatorship. Sleep split at the end of the 90's (but got back together in ’09 and again soon in ’12) and transformed itself into High On Fire and Om. Om took along Sleep's mantra element and also Al Cisneros (vocals/bass) and Chris Hakius (drums) who was later replaced by Emil Amos of the band Grails. Of their four albums, it is especially the latest two albums – invariably enveloped in fine artwork – that are popular with a wider audience. ‘Pilgrimage’ from ’07 was even proclaimed ‘Underground Album of the Year’ by Mojo. Following on from ‘God Is Good’ (’09, produced by Steve Albini), in the spring of 2012 there will again be an album released on the famous Drag City label (see: Bonnie Prince Billy, Joanna Newsom,...). The OM sound remains distinctive. Let's just say: minimal and alternating between metal en drones.