Omb - SwineSong

Props to Nefarious for choosing this album. I actually discovered it today just a moment before I saw it was a staff pick, and I'm pleasantly surprised. His description definitely hits the nail on the head.

Well picked indeed by Nefarious, I've but been able to listen to "These Walls...."; "An Ordinary Caveman Sings Ode to Obsession"; and "A Smaller Dose of Tyranny", but very much like the technical playing along with vocals here...... Will most likely raise the vote to a 9 after a full listen.
Also some fucked-up (in a good way) coverart by Scott Shellhamer.....

Consider me interested

Me too... hopefully, it's theatrical in a non-Leprous-like way... which to me sometimes reeks of insincerity.

Written by K✞ulu on 14.10.2013 at 10:40

Me too... hopefully, it's theatrical in a non-Leprous-like way... which to me sometimes reeks of insincerity.

I can only really speak for myself, but to me, Omb sounds a little bit like Fables-era Unexpect-y at points, but only with regard to the sound (clean crisp production, wonderful female vocals with lots of orchestration, shifts in pace, etc.). That being said, Unexpect are crazy, and Omb are tame in comparison. It's almost like they take all the nice things that Unexpect are trying to do, and make it a little bit more melodic and progressive. There are lots of things happening here, but it's much easier to take in than Unexpect. It's pretty tricky to describe what I mean here, but hopefully you'll get my point. So yeah, just a warning before listening to this release, since I know you've been disappointed with Unexpect in the past.

I wouldn't really describe it theatrically like Leprous. It's theatrical in an Unexpect sense, I think, although maybe Dissona might also be a good frame of reference as well. As with all avant-garde music, of course, it is very difficult to place. I hope this helps.

Written by Diverge on 14.10.2013 at 19:20

Written by K✞ulu on 14.10.2013 at 10:40

Me too... hopefully, it's theatrical in a non-Leprous-like way... which to me sometimes reeks of insincerity.

I can only really speak for myself, but to me, Omb sounds a little bit like Fables-era Unexpect-y at points, but only with regard to the sound (clean crisp production, wonderful female vocals with lots of orchestration, shifts in pace, etc.). That being said, Unexpect are crazy, and Omb are tame in comparison. It's almost like they take all the nice things that Unexpect are trying to do, and make it a little bit more melodic and progressive. There are lots of things happening here, but it's much easier to take in than Unexpect. It's pretty tricky to describe what I mean here, but hopefully you'll get my point. So yeah, just a warning before listening to this release, since I know you've been disappointed with Unexpect in the past.

I wouldn't really describe it theatrically like Leprous. It's theatrical in an Unexpect sense, I think, although maybe Dissona might also be a good frame of reference as well. As with all avant-garde music, of course, it is very difficult to place. I hope this helps.

Mm.. thanks for the extensive description. A bit tamer Unexpect would be nice. I actually like crazy music (you can check my Technical Madness list), but till now I have not been able to appreciate Unexpect although I feel there something to them has not unveiled to me yet. I will actually try to listen to their 2006 again soon now. I needed a sort of catharsis to prepare me for something like that, I think I have just had one (but will not tell you what it means ). Anyways, thanks a lot for the heads up.

P.S. Funny, but I also didn't get Dissona...

Unexpect are my favorite band , I'm dying with anticipation now ... Avantgarde bands with female vocals are simply my thing in music. I hope they're not too tame though .

Written by Diverge on 14.10.2013 at 19:20

I think, although maybe Dissona might also be a good frame of reference as well.

Sold

Written by PocketMetal on 14.10.2013 at 21:31

Avantgarde bands with female vocals are simply my thing in music.

Shame this band doesn't have a female vocalist.

EDIT: Spoke too soon. There are female vocals on "Someday My Prince Will Come".

Auditioning the entire release raises my rating!

Written by Doge of Venice on 16.10.2013 at 01:29


Shame this band doesn't have a female vocalist.

EDIT: Spoke too soon. There are female vocals on "Someday My Prince Will Come".

yeah the female vocals seem to be in the background , the album was amazing regardless of this though.

Absolutely wonderful album. I hear parts of Unexpect, Le Grand Guignol, Dissona and Akphaezya and the singer sometimes sound like Bruce Dickinson. Most exciting release this year.

The music definitely has that quirky and schizophrenic Mr. Bungle attitude, but they are lot more theatrical than that band ever was.

Not really sure what to make of it yet. Sure, it's (similar yet) easier to listen to than Unexpect, but it's still not exactly the most accessible album in the world.

Written by Fat & Sassy! on 18.10.2013 at 01:43

The music definitely has that quirky and schizophrenic Mr. Bungle attitude, but they are lot more theatrical than that band ever was.

Not really sure what to make of it yet. Sure, it's (similar yet) easier to listen to than Unexpect, but it's still not exactly the most accessible album in the world.

Yeah, I was really just trying to say that it was accessible...RELATIVE to Unexpect. As with all avant-garde, it's pretty challenging, huh?

This is pretty interesting. Taking me some time to fully digest though.

It's a very interesting album. I'd say the hardest part for me is not necessarily WHAT the musicians are doing, but finding a way to keep track of all the rich textures and all the characters that seem to be encountered along the way. The poignancy of certain moments definitely separates these guys from the pack.

In the running for best debut of the year for sure.

Damnit, this is brilliant!

Who knew the underground newbies could produce the best avant-garde album of 2013?

Written by Lethrokai on 02.01.2014 at 19:52

Damnit, this is brilliant!

Who knew the underground newbies could produce the best avant-garde album of 2013?

Hey, I'm kind of spamming this around but also check out Eloa Vadaath's album Dead End Proclama. It's really sensational and it's giving Swinesong a real run for its money, imo.

Written by Diverge on 11.01.2014 at 01:00

Written by Lethrokai on 02.01.2014 at 19:52

Damnit, this is brilliant!

Who knew the underground newbies could produce the best avant-garde album of 2013?

Hey, I'm kind of spamming this around but also check out Eloa Vadaath's album Dead End Proclama. It's really sensational and it's giving Swinesong a real run for its money, imo.

Well, damn... from what I've heard so far, this is really quite the release! Not sure if it's up with Swinesong, but definitely an album I'll have to get! Thanks!

I'm REALLY pissed that I put off listening to this album for so long. The last phenomenal progressive avant-garde metal debut album I've come across was Dissona's - instantly one of my favourite bands. Everything is just so diverse, from the vocals to the styles incorporated, and it's integrated seamlessly.

Very good album and such a crazy debut. The clean vocals remind me of pain of salvation's front man and that's for sure a very good thing. I'm having minor problems with production, though as it is a little too sharp for this type of music.

I need more Omb.

In this album, Omb trumpet their ingenuity to synthesize varied forms of different genres into works of metallic art. So many comparisons must be summoned to explain the sound and structure of this album. The pleasant insanity of Sleepytime Gorilla Museum or UneXpect can be found. The lyrical and theatrical features of Queensryche, Kayo Dot or Devil Doll can also be spotted in this album. It is recommended for those who enjoy intricate musical amalgamation.