by crustcake gerf (NYC)
Last December, Al Cisneros and Chris Hakius made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land-- Jerusalem, Israel-- where they played a four-hour-long set of doom-drone art metal. Two songs were captured and pressed onto 3,100 machine-numbered 180 gram vinyl records, and I managed to get my hands on #3,060 for purposes of this review.
Side A is "Flight of the Eagle," the second track off the duo's 2006 LP Conference of the Birds. The tempo here is considerably more plodding than with the original studio recording, thus lengthening the song by a good four and a half minutes. Side B is "Bhimas' Theme," off Om's most recent LP, Pilgrimage.
The overall sound of the record is well-balanced and clear, but also distant and roomy which fits the music nicely-- it feels like you're in the hall with the band, rather than listening to a dry soundboard recording. As for the physical product, it's simple and understated. Black vinyl with no labels-- just the side and track information etched into the wax. The sleeve is matte black with what would appear to be a photo of Nostradamus, if not for the fact that there were no cameras during the famous prophet's lifetime. (If anyone has more info on the cover, please leave a comment.)
The cuts on this vinyl-only release may themselves be frivolous-- you're better off just listening to the studio tracks, as if you truly want to experience Om live you really ought to do just that-- but for true Om fans and for record collectors this is a great pickup. The unadorned nature of sleeve and record fits Om like a simple red robe fits a Tibetan monk. Southern Lord still has a few in stock, but you better get a move on because they're likely to sell out soon.
7.0/10 [Audible]
8.0/10 [Physical]
Buy: Om - Live at Jerusalem [Southern Lord]
June 17, 2008
Crustcake Reviews: Om - Live at Jerusalem
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3 hollers:
The man on the cover is Elder Michael of Valaam. A Russian Orthodox monk. There is a bio of his life here
http://www.deathtotheworld.com/lot/lives/eldermichaeltheblind/eldermichaeltheblind.html
Interesting connection. The bio is from the website of Death to the World, a fanzine originally put together by former Sleep guitarist Jason Marler, after he left the group to join a Russian Orthodox Monastery.
that would be "Justin Marler"
My bad and you're welcome. I love what the internet does for communication.
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