IOM stands for Iker Ormazabal Martínez, a Spanish artist who operates from London (UK). He has already produced a significant body of work and has participated in numerous collaborations.

“Spiritual Wastelands” is a fascinating album where the artist explores different genres, primarily falling under the Industrial-Electro category. He creates an extremely dark atmosphere that becomes quite grim through Industrial noises and effects. Icy electro sounds reinforce the overall mood. Most of the tracks are instrumentals but none of which sound disturbing or monotonous. However, you will also find rare passages featuring spoken Spanish words and even a kind of Eastern-inspired singing in the opening piece.

“Spiritual Wastelands” is a magical and somewhat visionary Industrial record that I can only recommend to you. (Rating:8½).

Listen to “Body As Object”:

About IOM

Iker Ormazabal Martínez was born in Vitoria, Spain, and now lives in London, UK. He started his solo project IOM around 2004 and has also performed in bands including Atomoog, FFT Players, Soizu, Oilbag, Mnemoniic and Warren Schoenbright, releasing music through labels such as Zulo Beltzak, Attenuation Circuit, Astral Noize and Hominid Sounds.

He has collaborated with artists including Miguel A. Garcia, Oier Iruretagoiena and Arturo Blasco, and in 2017 received the John Leckie Award for Innovation in Audio Production for his soundtrack to “Elementary Tryptych of Spain” by Jose Val del Omar. “Spiritual Wastelands” is his latest album as IOM, released on digital and cassette formats through Cruel Nature Records.

Inferno Sound Diaries

I have been working for over 30 years with Side-line as the main reviewer. My taste is eclectic, uncoventional and I prefer to look for the pearls, even if the bands are completely unknown, thus staying loyal to the Side-Line philosophy of nurturing new talents.

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