GEISTERSTADT

The name says it all.

MASSIVE is the best description I can give to Omega Massif's music. Actually, that's the word I mostly use when talking about Doom Metal bands with their colossal riffs and earthshaking feedbacks. Omega Massif aren't too far away from this description and the only thing different is that they added emotions to it which makes the music a bit more appealing for a wider metal audience (although not wide enough when compared to other bands...).

The album starts off with the loudest bang I've heard in this year's Post-Metal bands (metaphorically speaking, of course) with the opener "In Der Mine" which is easily my choice for the best opener in any metal or related album that I've heard in 2007. In Der Mine may start slow (like all of the songs on the album), but after the 1:50 mark you'll be treated with pummeling riffs and thundering drums that will make you beg for mercy while you head bang to it until your brain falls of your head! Omega Massif then keeps up the energy showing their Shoegazer influences which end up sounding like a climax of some sort only to end up just as it began. This song pretty much sums up what Omega Massif are all about and most of the songs on the album will have, more or less, that same massive sense without repeating the same formula twice. Special mentions goes to "Nebelwand" which is only surpassed by In Der Mine.

The music is instrumental so people who aren't fan of the growling vocals that these bands often use will find the music very enjoyable. Being a Doom Metal fan also helps when listening to the album since the band is closely linked to the genre although it's not a requirement for one to enjoy the band's music. The music is mostly raw and dominant while at the same time being atmospheric. The only downer in the music is that many people will be put-off because of their minimalist nature. Another thing is that the album didn't sounded "complete" to me either by the abrupt ending or because there's something missing in their music that I can't put my finger on. Still I think this is a marvelous effort specially for a debut and fans of Post-Metal would be very pleased with Omega Massif's Geisterstadt

4 stars flat.

Amazing band! Easily one of my favirote instrumental albums out there! Easily distinguished Post metal, with the typical sludgy guitars, and primal drumming, for some reason though, this band has something more. I thinks it's the trippy lead lines they share with Tides, but Omega Massif have an edge over them, they are more controlled, and hold a more mysterious sound. Instrumental Doom metal at it's best IMO, creating an eerie atmosphere that keeps you locked in, and dosent let go. The only down side to the album is that the last two songs, arent at the level that first five or so are.

In der mine, Loud, soft, brilliant, and it's not even the best song! Starts with a heavy riff, with the whole band revolving around it. This lasts for about half the song, then the trippy lead line comes in, leading the song to step down a notch, letting the music ebb anf flow to the next song. This is not how the whole album goes, unlike most post metal bands, every song is it's own, no song really sounds the same. Omega Massif's song structures almost remind me of some GY!BE songs, starting out fast, then drop to a single riff, in which the entire song starts to build. Sometimes though, the song will just burst out in power chords out of nowhere with almost no warning, and sometimes the climax just dosent come, the song just builds then suddenly drops, making the album something different to appreciate then your average post metal instrumental group. The best songs on the album are Nebwuland, and Unter Null. Both amazing songs, that after progression let loose some of the most awesome trippy lead lines to ever hit post meal, the best of these are unter Nulls, where the whole band just stops, and theres just this haunting guitar, soflty lulling you with this almost creepy riff, and I love it. Sadly though the last two songs are without the tripp lead lines, and Exodus is just a non-stop power chord closer, with the intention of closing the album with a band, but dosent fit the mood of the album at all.

Really, it's almost impossible for me to explain the intensity of the album through words, you really do have to be listening to it to get it. With me, Omega Massif clicked instantly, but I have had my share of post metal, and I'm used to the sound. For the newbies out there, I dont recomend this one for a first Post metal album, I gurentee you it will be hard to swallow! I really do want to give this album five stars, but that would be completely unfair to the albums with good songs all around, so 4 stars.

Astonishing!

This is one of the heaviest records I ever heard! Filled with head-crushing riffs and amazing atmosphere, OM's 'Geisterstadt' ('City of Ghosts') is by far one of the best instrumental Post-Metal albums. Instrumental is defyning word here, because Post-Metal vocals usually put me off and steal at least a star from each rating. But OM are INSTRUMENTAL, they need no screamers to create such a MASSIVE sound, and this wall of doom is going to crush you down! The most positive thing about OM (if there's any, he-he!) that this heaviness dosn't put you off (like some extreme bands do). You feel like you need more and more of this stuff! Seriously, I can't get enough of them recently...need more OMEGA MASSIF! Extremely recommended!

"Geisterstadt" is the debut full-length studio album by German doom/post-metal act Omega Massif. The album was released through Radar Swarm in June 2007. Omega Massif was founded in September 2005 and released the "Kalt" demo in December 2005.

The music on the album is a combination of ultra doomy riffs and more atmospheric sludge/post metal sections. "Geisterstadt" is a fully instrumental release, but the gloomy cover artwork and the dark and haunting atmosphere create lots of dark images in the mind. "Geisterstadt" directly translates to "Ghost Town" in English, and there certainly is a ghostly atmosphere about the album. It´s not an eerie type atmosphere, but I always imagine driving into an abandoned town, just walking around, trying to imagine how life was there before the town was abandoned. A lonely and somewhat despairing feeling, that´s somehow still a bit intriguing.

The material are well written and the four-piece act occasionally create a monumental and quite epic sound, but in typical post-metal style, they often start their tracks quietly and mellow, slowly building more and more layers on until a multilayered and epic climax is reached (best examplified in "Nebelwand"). For the most part it´s a very effective songwriting approach, but there are sections which feel a bit repetitive on the 6 track, 44:04 minutes long album.

The sound production is really powerful and suits the music well and all in all "Geisterstadt" is a strong release by Omega Massif. The dark atmosphere and the heavy riffs combined with the well sounding production and the tight playing band, make this a worthwhile listen even though it might not add too much new to the genre. A 3.5 star (70%) rating is deserved.