Om - Variations on a Theme (2005)

The band Om, founded by former Sleep members Al Cisneros (bass, vocals) and Chris Hakius (drums), features a minimalist lineup (bass, drums, vocals) and a mantric, hypnotic style that retains the Sabbath-like heaviness of Sleep's doom metal but aspires to a higher, meditative state. Eschewing guitars, Om utilizes Cisneros's distorted bass to create powerful, repetitive riffs. Their musical output is essentially a single ritualistic piece composed of three crawling movements, during which Cisneros delivers quasi-mystical, often impenetrable lyrics emphasizing flight, elemental forces, and liberation, using terminology decidedly unusual for rock music. The literal meaning of the lyrics is irrelevant; the key is the overall effect, which bridges the ancient and the timeless, channeling something cosmic and mythical. This unique approach prevents the music from sounding like typical new age nonsense and demonstrates the band's willingness to artistically experiment within the metal genre.

Tracklist:
1. Om - On The Mountain At Dawn
2. Om - Kapila's Theme
3. Om - Annapurna