OM

Since the release of their 1992 magnum opus Sleep’s Holy Mountain, critics and fans have prattled over the effect that the late, great Sleep have had on modern stoner/doom metal. Just as the dust was getting kicked up from the Jerusalem/Dopesmoker debacle a few years ago, guitarist Matt Pike had already formed his new band, High On Fire, which has gone on to much success in the realm of the heavy. For Om, however, Sleep bassist/vocalist Al Cisneros and drummer Chris Haikus reconvene for phase two of their colourful music careers. The aptly-named duo — deriving their monosyllabic moniker from the Sanskrit word for the universe’s spoken essence — continue to make their mark on the genre with the Billy Anderson-produced Variations on a Theme: three epic tracks, two of which push the 12-minute mark, and one album-side monster of 21 minutes. Opener "On the Mountain at Dawn” pummels relentlessly with a wicked, mid-paced rhythm; Haikus keeps a studied, metronomic pace with snare and kick drum, while Cisneros’ calculated, mantric chant-styled vocals and fuzzy Rickenbacker bass enhance the output exponentially. "Kapila’s Theme” cuts said tempo in half, as monumental beats and tones slither over verdant alien jungles teeming with exotic wildlife. "Annapurna” sees Haikus aping Cream’s Ginger Baker with tight cymbal-bell strikes and arresting tom-tom work, as Cisneros’ Cyclopean bass resonates into infinity. Similar to the Sanskrit term, Om’s ancient mantra transcends mere stoner rock, taking Sleep’s long-form template into new frontiers of musical enlightenment.