‘Exist’, the second album from Kent’s favourite sludge band, OHHMS, is another heavy duty lesson in animal rights and pacifism. OHHMS take a slightly different approach to the preachy, condescending PETA activist mentality you’d expect from most bands covering this subject matter. Yes, the lyrical content calls for better treatment of both animals and humans (and rightly so), however, it’s cleverly written and packaged in absolutely enormous riffs.
While each song on the album has moments where it’s absolutely impossible not to find yourself nodding along, it will make even the most avid meat eater feel slightly uncomfortable, from the picture of a caged primate on the cover to the words vocalist Paul Waller shouts along to first track ‘Subjects’. Written from the perspective of a caged animal, the repeated line “who are you to do this? I’m cornered, I’m castrated. If you heard me, understood me, would you keep me as your subject?” is one you’d have to be a complete monster not to be moved by – the song also sits at almost 23 minutes in length, just to ensure it really gets its point.
Despite only containing four songs, ‘Exist’ packs in musical diversity by the bucketload, from gut punching, earth shatteringly heavy to melodic and catchy, through to soberingly morose, this album has it all. OHHMS will force you to hold a mirror up to yourself and the impact you’re having on the world around you, while also providing a catchy tune to hum along to at the same time. The dreaded second album is one that many a band are fearful of, and after how strong their first full length ‘The Fool’ was, it was uncertain if OHHMS would be able to release anything of the same calibre. However, they have surpassed their previous efforts and produced an album that is an instant classic.
(9/10 Angela Davey)
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