ALBUM REVIEW: Morag Tong – Last Knell Of Om

Here I review a band who are new to me, with their new full length of Stoner/Doom Metal!

1. Transmission opens the album with some lovely clean riffs setting a very tranquil atmosphere overlaid with simple ride use. The drum beat picks up a little and some psychedelic like effects are used. A really wonderful soundscape is created using feedback over the previously mentioned layers. The sludgy stoner Metal feel over the song is really laid back and chilled out.
2. New Growth starts us off with some slow crunchy guitars and the full band drops in. The Doom Metal atmosphere is captured stunningly with so much fuzz on the instruments and the crashing drums culminate for the soaring vocals to be added, the mix is levelled perfectly. The song has some lovely slowed down parts adding to the diversity of the track. The vocalist has a really unique style which is very enjoyable to listen to. The ending features some absolutely beautiful riff work on guitar and bass.
3. We Answer continues the album with some effect drenched clean guitars leading into more laid back territory and great bass playing. The lead guitars are amazing and the vocals beautiful. The drums keep the rhythm perfectly and have a very subtle but all the same mesmerising feel, as can be said for the whole band. The second half of the song features more distortion and really nice drawn out music which growls through the speakers and harsher vocals are utilised, a fantastic ending.
4. To Soil follows with some feedback used for an intro which has a nice old school touch to it. The song is incredibly slow with a really dreary feel. The monolithic sounds hit which each cymbal crash and chord of guitar, the bass rumbling under the mix and finally the vocals come in with the singers unique sound. The song has a darker feel and really is a great piece to listen to and chill out to some great Doom Metal.
5. Ruinations once again opens with feedback going into some super fuzzy guitar work. It has a more 70s feel to it than other tracks and creates a harsh and sorrowful tone, an interesting interval of sorts to the album featuring some really interesting musicianship and minimal vocals.
6. Ephemera / Stare Through The Deep ends things for this album. Opening with stunning clean guitars and sampling it certainly feels like it could go in any direction. Although it has a chill vibe something makes you really want to headbang and soak in all of the simplistic but amazing music. The vocals on this track are really sinister and the guitars/bass sounds really daunting with drums pounding underneath, the song is really heavy but not in the typical way of genres like Death Metal, but instead with its dragging and patient approach. The song features some bluesy and melodic guitar work and wave after wave of sludgy chords. Extremely nice music for a sunny day to just sit back with.

This album is a really good mix of Stoner and Doom Metal with both modern and old school touches, it offers a very laid back listen and is relaxing but still features plenty of heaviness. -7/10