OM formed in 1972, dispersed in 1982, then resumed from 2006, a pivotal Swiss group immersed in comprovisation, with a stable roster up until the demise of drummer Fredy Studer in 2022. In 2024 they toured, feeling the urge for two new drummers to work behind (and underneath) them, magically gaining the presences of Gerry Hemingway and Tony Buck. Impressive from the get-go, but this pair surely exceeded even the great expectations felt within the remaining OM threesome. This is a robust live recording from that '24 tour, captured at the Südpol Kulturhaus in Switzerland, harnessing OM's bold sonics. Doran pens most of the originals (three out of five of these extended pieces), but doesn't overly dominate on the soloing front. This is left to the upfront Leimgruber and the ever-active sticksmen (skins and metal), forever seeking out sensitive details and clicking together magnificently. It's straight into action with 'Fast Line', as Urs leaps in, rippling with force, shivering sharply, bandmates stalling and driving in rapid succession. It's unusual to hear Buck in more of a speeding situation, compared to his slow-crawling for The Necks, but there's also space for quiet exploration here, less than two minutes into this barnstormer number. OM deliver pre-planned compositions, but containing lagoons of freedom. Towards the end, the drums are working towards dual oblivion, Leimgruber and Doran joining the stippled fray, the former overblowing in style. There are atmospheric alignments for 'Gamelan', poised with careful placement of sound textures, room to unspool the soprano guts, Doran nudging the percussionists towards metallophone zones. Then, 'P-M-F/B' maintains a repetitive, pouncing groove momentum and 'Behind The Eye' climaxes with tough riffing, honking soprano (a rare concept), bending, angular guitar parts, with strafes going into minimalist gesturing. This is a very well-captured live show. (https://www.jazzwise.com/reviews/om-sudpoll)