With Insha, This Morn’ Omina once again enters the ritual universe. The album features a close collaboration with Konchong-Gyaltsen (Nam-Khar). In contrast to earlier releases that still leaned on solid rhythmic beats, this is an album of a different order. Almost mythical. Somber, deep tones. At times it leans toward minimalist drone; at others toward Goa-like, trance-breathing, and widely stretched compositions.
The foundation remains tribal — the absolute trademark that has defined This Morn’ Omina for decades — though now immensely expanded into intoxicating, immersive, and almost meditative pieces. Take Tephra, for example: hypnotic. It envelops you like a drifting mist. Without heavy outbursts. Small in all its grandeur. It would not feel out of place in a threatening horror film, yet just as easily in fantasy cinema. Man~jus´ri¯ carries a more oriental vibe in terms of instrumentation — a different atmosphere within the same stylistic framework.
7Sekhem is a gem on this record: mysterious, with synths that assert themselves in very unusual ways. Loops, occasional vocal sneers, and a few noisy darkbeats that ground you like a shamanistic drum. A world-class track within this style.
Nalanda offers more of the same — yet different. A ritual in itself, where rhythmically another universe unfolds before you. It is otherworldly down to the smallest fibre; it creeps in quietly and steadily, yet all-encompassing. Reaching higher spheres without needing anything beyond the music itself.
Body Of Light is pure soundscape: synths sustaining endlessly long notes, and a nervous rhythm that seems intent on disturbing the calm, yet becomes perfectly intertwined with it and ultimately submits to the atmosphere.
With Insha, This Morn’ Omina truly walks new paths. No longer the ecstatically danceable tribal, but a far more restrained journey. It is something different — and I leave it to you to decide whether to be carried along or not. As for me, the journey through these eight tracks and fifty minutes of trance on a winter’s evening was utterly captivating.