Album Review: OHHMS – Exist (Holy Roar Records)

The second album from UK sludge/post-metal unit OHHMS is called ‘Exist’ and is out November 9th 2018 on Holy Roar Records.

After rising a sonic tempest with their widely praised debut full-length ‘The Fool’ last year, the breakthrough progressive metal act keep conquering uncharted territories with their new album ‘Exist’. Wielding the flag of Animal Rights and Conservation as a casus belli against global injustice and ignorance, the Canterbury five piece deliver their most immersive music piece to date.

There are few bands who could get away with their opening track being 22 minutes long however there are few bands quite like OHHMS.

There are few bands who encapsulate the modern face of post-metal and sludge with unrestrained heaviness, sorrowful beauty and the feeling of being on a journey with the band. All of that can be found in the 22 minute opener, Subjects. It’s a spectacular start for OHHMS where they set out their goal very clearly. This is an album to make you think about life while enjoying every second of it.

After a pretty hefty, feedback laden, guitar screeching first 9-minutes, Subjects slows down to bring mournful melody to the forefront for a bit. Initially heart-wrenching, it begins to build in hopefulness leading to a cleaner segment that really shows of OHHMS ability to touch the soul. We get one more major significant change in direction as the bass vibrates and OHHMS allow their more metal side to come forward like a demon.

“Can you hear it?”

Exist could have been one track long and it would be an 9/10 album easily but OHHMS aren’t done yet, The previously released single, Shambles follows (read our single review here) with a thick wall of sound built on chunky riffs and satisfying hooks. The vocals echo in a haunted effort and it never breaks apart into anything but a gloriously post-metal track.

The feeling of melancholy and hopelessness is up next with Calves as the first two minutes suck all the good vibes out of the world. The slow melody and soft clean singing is very emotionally affecting and then the drumming increases in pace followed by a much heavier and darker sludge sound. Eventually it fades away into oblivion leaving you with a desperate and despondent feeling. An exceptional listen.

Then we have Lay Down Your Fire Arms, a track that surprises by being such an out and out metal song. Kicking off in high gear, the pacey riffing and hardcore flashes of intensity mixed in with OHHMS signature deep heavy sound is exciting. Even when it slows things down a step, it’s still highly entertaining and very energetic. As the final track on the album, it serves its purpose of wrapping Exist up nicely and completely. Different but still amongst friends, it’s a top finish to one of the best metal releases this year.

OHHMS – Exist Full Track Listing:

1. Subjects
2. Shambles
3. Calves
4. Lay Down Your Fire Arms

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You can order the album digitally, on CD and on Vinyl via Holy Roar Records here as well as in a number of other bundles via Bandcamp here. Find out more/keep up to date with news by liking their Facebook Page and following them on Twitter.