OHHMS
Progressive metallers uncover the human side of horror
OHHMS prove they’re in this for the long haul
Rot
CHURCH ROAD
OHHMS ARE ONE of a growing number of bands who have been giving progressive metal a contemporary shot in the arm. This explorative quintet have never been afraid of an overarching theme to their albums, with 2017’s The Fool exploring the Tarot, and 2018’s Exist casting its eye upon animal cruelty. On Rot, frontman Paul Waller gets to explore his love of horror, with B-movie titles such as Eaten Alive, an apocalyptic barnstormer with tribalistic drumming, and Let’s Scare Jessica To Death, with its overdriven wall of fuzz and anthemic chorus. Such macabre material has been plundered countless times in metal circles before, but OHHMS approach it with a fresh ear.
Beginning appropriately with the sound of a VHS cassette being inserted into a player (ask your parents), Rot is a lot of fun, but like all the best horror, there’s substance lurking under the festering carcasses. Body Melt may sound like a hip-shaking rager, but it lyrically deals with the eating disorders that consumed Paul’s life for decades. Meanwhile, A Dark Song sees him reflecting on the death of his alcoholic father. Like Dario Argento, George A. Romero or even Jordan Peele, OHHMS use horror metaphors to mask chilling real-life concerns.