Ohhms – Exist (Review)

Ohhms are a UK doom band and this is their second album.

Hot on the heels of 2017’s The Fool, we unexpectedly, (to me anyway), have a brand new album from Ohhms. The Fool was an album that I initially enjoyed a great deal, but soon proved itself to be a real grower, and over time truly revealed itself to be a rich, multifaceted, and hugely enjoyable release.

Exist promises to be no different in this regard either, and initial spins reveal that the band have once more crafted a thoughtful, compelling, and substantial album.

Mixing aspects of old and new doom metal, plenty of post-metal depth, and a progressive metal heart that harks back to the 70s, It’s clear quite early on that Ohhms have pushed themselves even further into progressive/post-doom territories on Exist. It’s paid off handsomely too.

Punchy and direct, despite the song lengths, Exist is an album you can’t hide from. Although there are moments of subtlety and introspection included on this compelling release, this is, by and large, an unsubtle album; there’s a directness to the band’s metallic assault that’s refreshingly honest.

The album opens with the gargantuan 23-minute track Subjects, and any album opening with such a monster displays a confidence of delivery that’s engaging. That the band have the talent to pull it off speaks of their abilities. The other three songs here, although nowhere near as long in length, are not lacking in the quality department either.

The album’s concepts and themes add a harrowing, highly-emotive edge to music that’s not lacking in this anyway. The highly expressive and charismatic singer of Ohhms is in full-flow from the off. His performance is electrifying, and he provides a keen focus to music that isn’t devoid in elements for the listener to concentrate on.

Ohhms have developed into a frighteningly compelling and effective entity on Exist, and if you though The Fool was good, then this new album is on the next level entirely.

Very highly recommended.