INSOMNIAC – Om Moksha Ritam
Release Date: 5th September 2025
Label: Blues Funeral Recordings
Bandcamp
Genre: Doom, Shoegaze, Post-Doom.
FFO: REZN, King Buffalo, Pelican, Dead Meadow.
Review By: Paul Cairney
Taking its title from a Buddhist mantra, the universal heartbeat (Om), freedom (Moksha), and the rhythm of the universe (Ritam), Atlanta’s Insomniac have released their post-doom debut Om Moksha Ritam. It is no mere doom album however, Insomniac aim to take you on a never to be experienced in the same way twice, journey.
Do they succeed? Well, to a certain extent yes. The album expands each time you listen to it, where subtle nuances are picked up each time you delve into it. Om Moksha Ritam is obviously a labour of love. Debut albums often are, and it is especially so due to the sad passing of guitarist and founding member Mike Morris earlier this year. Dedicated to him, the album is a fitting tribute and a lasting memory for his loved ones.
The album itself has a strong opening. ‘Meditation’ has deliciously sludgy guitar riffs drifting across the subtle doom refrains that define the album. Don’t expect traditional doom here, it is more than that. Shoegaze and psychedelic elements feature throughout and the vocals by Van Bassman (surely he should also play, erm, bass) often comes across in a gothic crooning style. It doesn’t take much of an imaginative stretch to picture him singing Sinatra songs.
The longest track on the album, ‘Fire and, is a great listen, and is well-placed in the track-listing. Here Insomniac explore other dimensions in their sound, often stretching towards a bit of post-metal, but still with the subtle doom refrains. It is entrancing and doesn’t feel its length.
Alas, Om Moksha Ritam does stretch those boundaries, though. Despite the differing nuances, the album does begin to outstay its welcome. It never stops being enjoyable, but in striving to provide an experience, Insomniac occasionally lost sight of the goal. ‘Forest’ almost feels out of place, with its shoegaze approach. However, it does redeem itself with a deliberately robust finish that allows a bit of horn-throwing and head nodding.
There is absolutely nothing that should put you off listening to this album. It is well-constructed, well-produced and relatively well executed. You may, however, find your attention drifting during some tracks. Insomniac have, however, created a promising debut that hints of things to come in their future.
(3 / 5)
