Decibel Magazine is currently hosting an exclusive stream of Fenice, the smoldering new psychedelic masterpiece from Italian riff lords UFOMAMMUT, ahead of the LP’s release this Friday through Neurosis’ label Neurot Recordings.
For more than two decades, Italian alchemists UFOMAMMUT have combined the heaviness and majesty of dynamic riff worship with a nuanced understanding of psychedelic tradition and history in music, creating a cosmic, futuristic, and technicolor sound destined for absolute immersion. Fenice, “phoenix” in Italian, represents endless rebirth and the ability to start again after everything seems doomed. The album is the first recording with new drummer Levre joining Poia and Urlo, marking a new chapter in the band’s history and unveiling a more intimate, free sound for the group.
While the band is renowned for their psychedelic travels into the far reaches of the cosmos, Fenice is a much more introspective listening experience. The album was conceived as a single concept track, divided in six facets of this inward-facing focus. Sonic experimentations abound in the exploration of this central theme; synths and experimental vocal effects are featured more prominently than ever before as the band push themselves ever further into the uncharted territory of their very identity.
Each oscillation of this extraordinary album feels inevitable. The members of UFOMAMMUT are, after all, masters of their craft, and when it comes to creating enveloping sonic journeys into the unknown, it’s their uninhibited sense of exploration that breaches new sonic ground. Fenice is the sound of a band whose very essence has been rejuvenated and are welcoming the chance to create music in the way they know best; by unfolding carefully and attentively, by melding those extreme dynamics which render Fenice as a living and breathing creature, and by writing gargantuan riffs that herald their very rebirth.
Bassist/vocalist URLO offers, “After two-and-a-half turns around the Sun, through complicated and challenging times, we are ready to hit the stage again with Fenice, our new sonic chapter. It’s a rebirth as a band and as human beings and we consider it one of our most meaningful and symbolic records, a turning point in UFOMAMMUT’s journey that drives us to a renewed desire of creating, playing, and sharing music. It’s time for Fenice to arise.”
With their advance stream of Fenice, Decibel Magazine writes in part, “The album shuttles from spacey to grinding to mind-expanding with an underlying heaviness. Like the cover art, it’s dark and saturated, but highlighted by an illuminating brightness.”
UFOMAMMUT will also host a Guest DJ slot on Gimme Metal on the day of the album’s release! The special will air at 7:00pm ET / 4:00pm PT this Friday, May 6th. Find more info and tune in at THIS LOCATION.
UFOMAMMUT is confirmed to play special one-off dates over the Spring and Summer months including a Fenice album release show this Saturday, May 7th, followed by an onslaught of festivals including Dudefest, Dunk!festival, Desertfest, 17 Years Sound Of Liberation Festival, Desert Fox Festival, Hellfest, Frantic Festival, and more. See all confirmed shows and stay updated at the band’s tour page HERE.
Fenice will see release May 6th on LP, CD, and digital formats via Neurot Recordings, with a limited LP version of 666 copies on Supernatural Cat.
