OM is an American experimental music group formed in San Francisco in 2003. The band is known for their unique blend of doom metal, stoner rock, and spiritual meditation music, creating a hypnotic and often heavy soundscape. Originally a duo with Al Cisneros on vocals and bass and Chris Hakius on drums, both of whom were former members of the influential stoner doom band Sleep, OM's music is defined by repetitive, droning rhythms and Cisneros's chant-like vocals.

Over time, the band's lineup and sound have evolved. After Hakius's departure in 2008, drummer Emil Amos took up the role, contributing to the expansion of OM's sound palette. Later, multi-instrumentalist Robert Aiki Aubrey Lowe joined, further enriching the group's sonic tapestry with synths, tambura, and vocals. OM's themes are often spiritual and mystical, drawing from a range of religious and metaphysical inspirations, especially noticeable on albums like "Advaitic Songs" and "God is Good." Their music can be characterized as a contemplative journey, one that appeals to fans of both heavy metal intensity and trance-inducing calm. Despite the limited size of the ensemble, OM creates expansive sonic landscapes that challenge the boundaries between music genres and spiritual ideologies.

Genres

Doom Metal

Drone Metal

Drone Rock

Post-metal

Stoner Metal

Stoner Rock

Related Artists

Earth

Electric Wizard

Sleep

Boris

sunn O)))

Brian Eno

Neurosis

Ufomammut

Mulatu Astatke

Fela Kuti

Culture

Tony Allen

Latest Release

Gebel Barkal / Version

OM

Single - Released April 7, 2023