uf o m a mmu t Words: James Conway
Sonic alchemists With the second part of their ambitious double album “ORO” just out, two thirds of the Italian doomsludge trio Ufomammut, namely guitarist/vocalist Poia and bassist/vocalist Urlo, chat with James Conway about their love for The Beatles, their creative outlet Malleus and the new deal with Neurosis’ label Neurot Recordings.
Your new album “Oro: Opus Alter” is the twin of ‘Oro: Opus Primum”, released a few months previously. What made you want to record a double album? Was it a challenging recording process? Urlo: Opus alter is the second part of ORO. We recorded a single track and we split it in 2 different temporaltimes and parts: Opus primum and Opus alter. Poia: Oro was too long for a unique release, so we decided on this split. This way the listener has the right amount of time to listen to Opus Primum, and then, later, go on with Opus Alter.
What concepts do the Oro albums deal with? Is it a continuation of the religious themes explored on previous albums such as “Eve”? Urlo: They are both about the concept of knowledge. Oro is about the alchemic process leading nature (intended as a primordial one, scaring man with its majesty) into power, the knowledge blooming out of our fears. Poia: Actually we're not religious people, but we're interested in what men can do when they have to face the unknown, how they can evolve and explore their limits.
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