Ufomammut – Oro: Opus Primum (2012)

Recently signed to Neurot Recordings, Ufomammut delivers their seventh full-length release titled “Oro: Opus Primum”. In this excellent release, the band brings five tracks of pure (and crushing) Psychedelic Doom Metal at its most devastating and cavernous shape, however this time around there are some seeping Stoner Rock influences that nicely add to the overall musical experience that this Italian band presents.

The band’s sound has always been very well crafted to highlight the heavy guitars and the well-developed atmosphere, and in this release the band continues with their excellent songwriting skills but on a bigger stage (Neurot Recordings). This release feels a bit better than “Eve” in terms of developing the songs a bit more efficiently and with extra elements that makes them less repetitive.

Following a dreadful opening track, “Holnap majd felgyújtom az erdőt” has a completely different production and sound to it. The band seems to have chosen a different pace and approach to BM, sounding a bit deranged and with a very barebones musical foundation. This track is actually enjoyable and entertaining after such a bad opener. Followed by an acoustic track titled “Varnak a varjak”, we are left kind of puzzled and intrigued to where this is going next.

Opening with the mysterious “Empireum”, the band uses nice atmospheric elements to create an initial build-up in this track. The build-up is quite effective and things don’t really get ‘heavy’ until the 10th minute mark, with some crushing riffs and some vocals. After the initial warm-up, “Aureum” delivers a chugging opening riff and some fresh Stoner/Psychedelic riffing sections that nicely set this track apart from the opener. Firing on all engines, “Infearnatural” keeps the riffage going and features some excellent clean vocals that give a nice contrast to the atmosphere of the track. This song is the one that sounds the most ‘traditional’ in the Doom sense of the word, making it the most accessible one of this release.

With some ambient and drone elements, “Magickon” nicely winds down the listener with a weird atmospheric piece that nicely builds up until the guitars and drums make an appearance quite late in the track. Now that the stage is set, “Mindomie” nicely closes the release with some heavy riffing, interesting drum patterns and some crazy vocals. This track is as dark and cavernous as the rest of the release but feels like a nice release of all the tension and build-up expectation generated in the first five songs.

Before you know it “Oro: Opus Primum” is all said and done but you are still left with the satisfaction that Ufomammut has delivered a worthy first release on Neurot Recordings, the home of very talented and diverse artists. If you liked any of the band’s previous releases, this album should nicely satisfy your cravings of Ufomammut for at least one or two more years.

Release: April 13th, 2012

Country: Italy