Ufomammut "ORO: Opus Primum" review

If you haven’t heard Ufomammut yet, you’re really missing out. They are an experimental sludge metal trio from Italy and really have a knack for adding just enough creativity so as to not make the music to “out there”. And if you’re at all curious, Ufomammut is Italian for “UFO Mammoth” (fucking awesome), and is pronounced “Oofo-mammoot”.

Ufomammut have long been respected within the sludge and doom metal communities for their distinct type of audio artistry. Their latest masterpiece “ORO: Opus Primum” (released through Neurot Recordings) will only deepen their roots within the metal underground. And before y’all run out and pick up a copy of it (or stay in and download one) be aware that this is only the first part of a two-part entity known as “ORO”. The second half, known as “Opus Alter“, should be out in September 2012.

“ORO: Opus Primum” is made up of five tracks, ranging in length between seven and fourteen minutes in length. In the first track “Empireum”, Ufomammut set the stage with an electronic atmosphere backed by an eerie set of synthetic notes that repeat throughout as the music slowly builds up to a crescendo of gut-wrenching distorted guitars and apocalyptic drums. At this point, the tone of the composition is set and the epic sludge, haunting electronics, and mind-concussing percussion ensue. “ORO: Opus Primum” is really something to be experienced and taken in as one whole piece (or rather half until the other part is released in September 2012).

“ORO: Opus Primum” is so amazing that I almost forgot to mention that there are practically no vocals. The musicianship and creativity in Ufomammut are more than enough to carry this album, and while there are a few minutes that include some vocal accompaniment, they seamlessly blend in and are not at all the focus. Ufomammut are simply an amazing group and I can’t wait to hear the conclusion to their “ORO” project.