Metal Maniac

Founded in 1999 in the breathtaking Piedmont region in northern Italy, Ufomammut, in their own words, is worldwide recognized as the creator of a unique brand of psychedelic sludge. With long songs, droning vocals and massive effects the band combines a monumental riffing attitude with the psychedelia of the more visionary Pink Floyd. Having released eight full-length albums in total, the latest being now in 2015, titled Ecate, Ufomammut is the band you have to listen to if you’re looking for something unique.

At the time of their foundation, Italy was mostly known for a pompous form of Power Metal and many clone bands trying to get some success as well. With many of these bands now defunct, the ones that were looking for their own sound, their own brand, instead of “sudden fame”, are here alive and well, being Ufomammut one of them. Italy has always been the home of interesting bands, but I believe that, since some years ago, they are more and more recognized as well as admired world-wide and with long deserving merit.

Heavy, monumental and crushing, Ufomammut feels like a beast slowing moving in the bottom of the ocean, much like a flow of magma coming in the aftermath of a volcanic eruption, as mentioned in the book The Strange Sound of Cthulu. That’s how this album really feels to me. It’s a powerful, slow-paced, dangerous and hot performance. I know that this is a cliché when it comes to reviewing psychedelic doom metal bands, but I simply can’t avoid it to use it in order to describe Ecate: while listening to this magical work, there’s this feel of a hallucinatory trip, floating through the notes of the songs in hermetic landscapes in absolute amaze.

A little bit more about the music, we have intense, colossal riffs, meaty bass, penetrating drumming, ardent vocals, many musical experimentations, with synths creating the spacious and grandiose atmosphere of a metal trip to unknown regions. It’s really amazing. The whole album has this enigmatic and droning touch. One other aspect that I find it incredible about this Ecate is that there is not one single boring moment, that one that makes you want to skip the rest to the song to the next one. All in all, this is a very strong, engaging and intriguing release.

The album’s production is also a delightful work, allowing you to enjoy all the elements of Ecate in all of its heavy glory. Indeed an album to be heard whenever needed to away from everyday routine, to be taken away from this world for a little while. It’s, in my modest view, an outstanding work. I ask you now, my cherished readers, to listen to their music and, if you like what you listened, I beg of you to support as well as promote this Ufomammut, as they truly deserve it.

Until next time.

Grade: 9,8/10

Band: Ufomammut

Album: Ecate (2015)

Label: Neurot Recordings

Tracklist:

1. Somnium
2. Plouton
3. Chaosecret
4. Temple
5. Revelation
6. Daemon

Ufomammut is:

Urlo – Bass, Keyboards, Vocals

Poia – Guitars, Keyboards

Vita – Drums

Official Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/UFOMAMMUT/83336386071

Official Homepage: http://www.ufomammut.com/

All photos belong to their rightful owners.