Soma – “Shivranjani”

A slight detour here from the good folks at Centripetal Force. After excellent offerings delving into folk, psych, and ambient country, the label offers up a release from New Jersey’s heavy devotional outfit SOMA (Sacred Order of Mystic Apogees). The collective brings together musicians from hardcore punk and metal backgrounds, exploring hymns, dirges, and devotional music from Pakistan and India. Utilizing harmonium, tanpura, and mridanga alongside the heavy ballast of guitars, the album is more tectonic than the average album of Hindi spirituals. The first single, “Shivranjani” exemplifies the weight of the album — pinning the listener to the ground while letting them expand in all directions at once. The album, Burning is Learning, recorded with Phil Caivano (Monster Magnet), is being released March 19th, to coincide with the Spring Equinox.

Support the artist. Buy it HERE.