FAS TO THE NEFAS

Here we have some superb doom tinged respectively dark mooded and predominantly psychedelic styled material. OMESTHESIA is a progressive rock quartet hailing from Jerez De La Frontera, South Spain, situated not far away from Gibraltar. The purpose of the album title, well, this may cause some headache. Probably it's a modification of the latin expression 'per fas et nefas'. According to that they could be underway with shady means, be careful! Gloomy prospects? I mean, the album comes surrounded by hanged men! 'This nightmare never ends ... I gave my life, you gave me misery ...', the ambitious lyrics are provided by guitarist Alejandro Rejón Mata as well as Manu Guitarte (bass). Furthermore Ana Hortas cares for all the keyboard duties, and drummer Alex Copero completes the band's rhythm fraction. Last but not least, Jose Antonio Hinojosa Castro has contributed the nice illustrations regarding album and also the colourful single excerpts.

And so I would say the slightly drone laden OMESTHESIA music is relatively unique in style. I solely could name the Milan based La Morte Viene Dallo Spazio as a proper reference. The opening song Nam Degnah is serving some ambient extravagance, a priceless atmosphere. Immediately reveals the album's overall doomy though also beautiful atmosphere. Then this is effectively cross-fading into Orichalcum featuring tribal drums, dramatic synthesizer patterns, overall providing a more stoner rock feel. Run alters from relaxed mid-tempo into quite different stages, unpredictable. Alejandro Rejón Mata serves a vocal style just like a blend of singing and recitative, definitely complementing with the gentle creepy moments. Ana Hortas provides a nice melancholic piano interlude concerning Repentance. And then, due to the last track, they are even escalating into a furious finale. My conclusion: 'Fas To The Nefas' turns out to be an excellent debut album, this band will need some more attention and reputation.