Pothamus to Release Abur Feb. 14; New Video Posted
You can check it out — I’d encourage it, in fact — but the terrible truth here is this one is here just for me. Pothamus come from Belgium, and though their name has appeared on this site exactly once before — in a lineup confirmation for the 2021 edition of Down the Hill Festival in the band’s home country — I’d never actually listened to them before the snap decision to put on the new single “Savartuum Avur.” Needless to say, I don’t regret it or this post probably wouldn’t be here, but this week I feel like has mostly been familiar faces in terms of what’s covered — I guess that’s not really true except for Monday, but it feels that way anyhow — and it’s refreshing to have something I’ve never heard before come along and stomp my brain back into its proper gooey state.
Abur is the band’s second album and it’s out Feb. 14 on Pelagic, who issue disgustingly-heavy forward-thinking shit all the time like it’s no big deal. I should go back to the 2021 Down the Hill lineup and see what else I missed. Ha. I’m always a couple floors up from the ground on this stuff. Late to the party and such. Was it the phrase “COSMIC SLUDGE JUGGERNAUTS” in all caps that caught my eye? Could be. But I thought the track sounded cool — it reminded me of hearing Minsk for the first time 20 years ago — and maybe you need eight solid minutes of expanse brought down on your head too.
If so, to the PR wire:
COSMIC SLUDGE JUGGERNAUTS POTHAMUS HERALD SOPHOMORE ALBUM, ‘ABUR’
BAND SHARE GRIPPING PERFORMANCE VIDEO FOR RITUALISTIC LEAD SINGLE ‘SAVARTUUM AVUR’
Belgian psychedelic sludge-metal trio Pothamus have announced their second full-length album, ‘Abur’, set for release on February 14th, 2025 via Berlin’s Pelagic Records.
The heavily anticipated spiritual successor to their 2020 debut ‘Raya’, ‘Abur’ finds the band honing an already formidable sound and widening their distinct musical palette in order to create truly original and staggeringly heavy music that steers them ever further away from well-trodden post-metal paths. Based in Mechelen, Belgium, Mattias M. Van Hulle, Michael Lombarts and Sam Coussens formed Pothamus in 2013 and have been enthralling audiences with their breathtaking command of hypnotic riffage, floating drones, tribal percussion, and abrasive bass lines for over a decade.
‘Abur’ sees Pothamus’ signature ritualistic sound elevated by the haunting sounds of the Surpeti, a drone instrument originating from the Indian subcontinent traditionally used for mantra singing, whilst drummer Van Hulle adds his voice in harmony with guitarist Coussens’ to create an astounding richness and depth. Capturing Pothamus at this creative zenith was musical contemporary and close friend Chiaran Verheyden (Psychonaut, Hippotraktor) who recorded, mixed and mastered the album.
Lead single and the first piece written for the album, ‘Savartuum Avur’ is an uncompromising invitation to cast away the preconceived beliefs and social constructs that lure us away from a sense of spiritual unity. Building as one like a gathering storm, ‘Savartuum Avur’ is Pothamus embracing chaos as the generative force behind creation; unleashing their unmistakable cosmic sludge metal in an exhilarating statement of intent. The stark, monochrome performance video that accompanies ‘Savartuum Avur’ not only mirrors the in-the-moment, chaotic energy of the track but also serves as a reminder of the transcendental experience that is Pothamus performing live.
A 44-minute pilgrimage through nature, animism and the depths of the human soul, ‘Abur’ is Pothamus’ answer to the big, existential questions that keep us all awake at night. Titanic, all-consuming heaviness is met with ethereal, airy beauty as the band contemplates the interconnectedness of all things, creating a singular sonic universe balanced perfectly between cosmic creation and absolute destruction.
‘Abur’ is released on February 14th, 2025. ‘Savartuum Avur’ is out now.
Pothamus on ‘Savartuum Avur’:
“This track is layered with a brooding atmosphere that evokes a sense of elemental energy, possibly tied to the forces of nature. As the first piece written for the new record, it serves as a transitional bridge between past and present, making it a fitting choice for the album’s first single, capturing both familiar and ever evolving sonic landscapes. With lyrical references to ‘Raya’ it creates a thematic link to the band’s previous work, grounding the song in continuity while marking the start of a new creative chapter.”
Tracklisting:
1. Zhikarta
2. Ravus
3. De-varium
4. Savartuum Avur
5. Ykavus
6. Abur
Produced & mixed by Chiaran Verheyden
Recording assistance by Victor Jacobs
Recorded at MotorMusic Studio, Mechelen & GAM Studios, Malmedy
Mastering by Chiaran Verheyden at MotorMusic Studio, Mechelen
Lyrics & concept: Mattias M. Van Hulle
Artwork & design: Iljen Put
Pothamus is:
Mattias M. Van Hulle – Drums, Vocals, Surpeti
Michael Lombarts – Bass
Sam Coussens – Guitar, Vocals
https://www.facebook.com/Pothamus
https://www.instagram.com/pothamus
https://pothamus.bandcamp.com/
http://www.pelagic-records.com/
http://www.facebook.com/pelagicrecords
http://www.instagram.com/pelagic_records
