Om - 'Conference Of The Birds' (Holy Mountain) Released 01/05/06

With a history that includes a San Fran sludge-metal band 'Sleep', the duo of Al Cisneros as bassist and vocalist and Chris Hakius on drums have churned out this two-track album that weaves with the wool left unspun by Pink Floyd's Syd Barrett and other psychy-wig out bands. With much anticipation of altered states of consciousness and calming alpha brain-waves, the incantations and drone-work of this album merely conjure cob-webbed covens, hocus pocus and crushed black velvet.

Taking the Universal seed-sound that is 'Om', the band 'Om' deliver these two tracks of interminable length and repetition that offer little musical variation that one fears the Universe may implode. OK, the bass playing and drum work is of a calibre - even evoking The Beta Band, but the Beta's knew where to tail off and where to take a track. Musically there's only so much scope with a bass and a predominantly cymbal tapping drum-rolling bi-ped. 'At Giza' chugs along for 15.55 minutes and is probably best enjoyed with Psilocybin - witchcraft polemics from Al to transport you beyond body and critical faculty - "Sentient ground of the light shine shining / Aperture on door the lind-hymm stone / The orbits arms oscillate to freedom / Params the shore of celestial sea." There may be guidance mechanisms inherent here for the lysergic acid explorer, but to this post-initiate it comes across as 'The Beavis and Butthead'' school of Mysticism.

Fortunately track 1 finishes to usher track2 - 'Flight Of The Eagle' - sounding slower, dronier, a whoppy-doo 17.27 minutes and lacking any emotional punch. Al waxes - "And remember Labanon - At hreem veils to be seen - and raise the freedomward dove./ And descend - the ambulant propels on through anteveludian sky./ To send - Onward to terminus triumphal flight sheds object form./ Orbitainer eyes the absolute and freed - walk alone.", and the track musters some grunge to help thigs along.

To leave to body one must go deeper into inner space. T'is a hazardous thing to do. Many the casualties. Much the mush. Have your maps at the ready, 'Om' may make for a bad trip.