https://www.high-endrolex.com/18

Keep it Low Festival 2022 Makes First Lineup Annoucement

Posted in Whathaveyou on July 15th, 2022 by JJ Koczan

KEEP IT LOW 2022 BANNER

I have said so many times in the past, but of all the festivals throughout any given ‘normal’ year in the sphere of Sound of Liberation‘s booking itinerary, I always wanted to go to Keep it Low in Munich. Yeah, part of that is because Colour Haze regularly shows up — kind of the house band — and any opportunity you can take advantage of to see them in your life is a thing worth doing, but also the general vibe of the artwork, what seems like kind of a laid back feel and intention. At this point it’s been going on long enough (without me in attendance) that I’m sure a community of familiar faces has been built up, and as the first lineup announcement for Keep it Low 2022 on Oct. 7 & 8 comes out, I’m in the same boat as ever thinking that if this was the complete festival, done, one shot, blamo, then you’d say it was looking to be a killer couple days in Germany.

That Friday lineup is unstoppable, and Saturday is more populated but right behind it with Fu Manchu and Unida at the top of the bill so far and a reunion slot for The Great Escape (feat. members of My Sleeping Karma), as well as US imports like The Heavy EyesHigh Reeper and Hippie Death Cult (waiting for that tour announcement any minute now). Maybe they’ll all go together and call it the Triple-H tour, thereby proving that they too remember pro wrestling in the mid-1990s.

Alright, maybe not. Either way, with more to come, here’s what the fest has to say about its own badass doings:

KEEP IT LOW 2022 poster

KEEP IT LOW – LINE-UP NEWS & SINGLE DAY TICKETS ON SALE

Dear Keepers,

today we’re happy to reveal the first bands for our upcoming Keep it Low festival 2022! Additionally, Single-Day Tickets are now on sale!

Check it out:

FRIDAY 7th OCTOBER

Orange Goblin
UFOMAMMUT
Sasquatch
Naxatras
Slomosa
hellamor

SATURDAY 8th OCTOBER

Fu Manchu
Unida
The Heavy Eyes
HIGH REEPER
Hippie Death Cult
Vvlva
The Great Escape
Mindcrawler
The Kupa Pities
Dead Taste

EVENT
https://www.facebook.com/events/975025036197960/

TICKETS
http://www.sol-tickets.com

We can’t wait to see you all!

Cheers,
Your KIL Crew

https://www.facebook.com/keepitlowfestival/
https://www.keepitlow.de/
https://www.soundofliberation.com/

Orange Goblin, Live at Hellfest 2022

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Album Review: Ufomammut, Fenice

Posted in Reviews on June 15th, 2022 by JJ Koczan

Ufomammut Fenice

For something so fluid in the listening experience, there are an awful lot of angles from which one might view Ufomammut‘s Fenice. Issued in continued association with Neurot Recordings, it is the ninth full-length from the groundbreaking Italian three-piece, whose Poia (guitar, synth) and Urlo (bass, vocals, synth) double as part of the visual arts collective Malleus, so long as one counts 2012’s two-part Oro: Opus Primum (review here) and Oro: Opus Alter (review here) as a single work.

It is also the band’s first album since declaring a perfectly timed indefinite hiatus in early 2020 and returning in April 2021 with new drummer Alessandro “Levre” Levrero, a longtime associate brought into the fold after the departure of Vita (now in Sonic Wolves), which was just the second lineup change Ufomammut have undergone in their 20-plus years of existence. And never mind that Ufomammut are responsible for no small part of the shape of what has become cosmic doom over the years of their tenure. Their blending of synthesizer/keyboard spaciousness, crushing riffs, atmospheric drones and a general sense of chaos — despite having a plan all the while — is singular.

While their influence has been present in the works of many who’ve come along since, Ufomammut remain unto themselves in sound, and Fenice is essentially the process by which they revamp and revitalize what that singularity is. Across the assembled six tracks and 38 minutes, the three-piece of Urlo, Poia and Levre set themselves to the task of remaking Ufomammut in the image of who they are today. Much of that will be recognizable to longer-term listeners or even those who took on 2017’s we’re-telling-you-this-is-definitely-our-eighth-record, 8 (review here), but from the energy with which cuts like 10-minute opener and longest track (immediate points) “Duat” and what follows are delivered, as well as the starkness with which they move back and forth between atmospheric experimentalism and drone and their rib-crunching low-end plunder, there’s a clear, refreshed sensibility to what they’re doing. The time away did them well, and among Fenice‘s strengths in production value and creative reach is the core desire to push themselves forward that has made Ufomammut so crucial and influential in the first place. No two Ufomammut records are the same — even the Oros had their own personalities — and the next one will be different from this. That should be comforting, whether you’re familiar with the band’s past work or not.

“Duat” spends its first three minutes world-building around curious depth charges, but by the time Ufomammut are another two deep, they’ve unfurled the full-bore tonal density with which they’ll work — Lorenzo Stecconi, who engineered, mixed and mastered, has been a mainstay presence of their output and his familiarity serves them well in these new songs and in their own new incarnation; that is to say, they had enough change to deal with going into the studio — and it continues to grow massive as it goes, with the on-the-beat punctuation of Levre‘s snare both along for the ride and propulsive in its own right in helping establish the overarching flow which will carry directly into the shorter drone piece “Kepherer” and on from there, weaving through the rest of the material.

Some right on rumble and bassy vibrations in “Kepherer” — those might be drums, actually — offset by high feedback and effects manipulation, and in just under three minutes, Ufomammut emphasize the hypnotic side of their approach in a way that may well be informed by some of Urlo‘s solo work in the multimedia experimental project The Mon, but “Psychostasia” brings those transcendental waveforms back to ground soon enough, Levre‘s drums and the far-back strum of Poia‘s guitar creating an open space for Urlo‘s melodic, dreamy-echo vocals. It’s further trance creation until about four and a half minutes in, then the guitar comes forward for a lead and, at 4:48, the move toward pummel begins in earnest.

Ufomammut (Photo by Francesca De Franceschi Manzoni)

They’ll get there step by step, here letting the drums go faster, there pulling back on bass, but at 5:31, they let it loose and the vocals return, and the sweep is a triumph of the promise of Ufomammut‘s aesthetic. A synth freakout is a quick bridge back to the onslaught, and as they crash into the ending of “Psychostasia” and into the beginning of the likely-autobiographical-on-some-level “Metamorphoenix,” a sample and the wash of synth noise again make the going immersive bordering on claustrophobic. As heavy as Ufomammut can get, sometimes it’s their quieter stretches that seem to most pull the air out of the room.

Just past two minutes in, “Metamorphoenix” introduces its central guitar figure, but it’s buried. Barely there, like a sumbliminal message. It’s not until the wash recedes — leaving the maybe-backwards spoken sample that accompanied behind — that “Metamorphoenix” seems to find the ground beneath it. There’s a build taking place, but the band have done this long enough that they won’t be rushed even for themselves, and each measure that ensues has a purpose of its own in feeding the forward movement.

By the time they’re seven minutes into the song’s 7:41, the tension is palpable to a near-skin-crawling degree, and it’s up to “Pyramind” to pay it off, which it does with an almost immediate turn into doomly crashes and out-the-airlock synthesizer, a lumbering that consumes the first two minutes of “Pyramind”‘s also-seven, and though they mellow out after two minutes in, the drums and bass under the heavy-but-floating guitar provide assurance there’s more to come. This part of “Pyramind” has vocals in layers — Ufomammut have never been a particularly singer-minded act, but I won’t take away from what Urlo does here or elsewhere in their catalog — and that covers the establishing a resurgent intensity of tone and riff, and at 5:36 into the 7:04, they move back to the nod and the crash that seem at first to be an apex for Fenice as a whole but with the turn to the 2:48 closer “Empyros” become just another stage of the setup.

There’s a stop, but on the next beat, “Empyros” is there and the impact is immediate, and Ufomammut finish this maybe-ninth record with a vital heavy groove, almost raw in its unfolding, but so clear in its message of riff worship as to be unmistakable. Synth swirls around, and there’s one change — at 1:43, into the next unbridled bit of skull-stompery. There are a few shouted lines, but they wrap Fenice on the relative quick and leave the listener to wonder how they managed to pack that much magnitude into a single LP. The answer to that, of course, is that they’re Ufomammut, and that’s what they do.

Whatever your level of experience with Ufomammut, whether you know them or don’t, whether you’ve been on board since 1999 or if Fenice is the first thing you’ve heard them, there are elements in these songs that have become staples of their style. They’re still two-thirds the same band, after all. But as much as Ufomammut have reaffirmed the progressive aspects of their past and remained loyal to themselves as songwriters, Fenice sounds like a new beginning too. That’s obviously not a coincidence.

Ufomammut, Fenice (2022)

Ufomammut, Fenice Interview with Urlo

Ufommammut website

Ufomammut on Facebook

Ufomammut on Twitter

Ufomammut on Instagram

Neurot Recordings website

Neurot Recordings on Facebook

Neurot Recordings on Bandcamp

Neurot Recordings on Twitter

Supernatural Cat website

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Video Interview: Urlo from Ufomammut on the Old and New of Fenice and More

Posted in Bootleg Theater, Features on May 6th, 2022 by JJ Koczan

ufomammut

Today, May 6, marks the release of Ufomammut‘s new album, Fenice, on Neurot Recordings. From where I sit, that’s enough of an occasion to fire up the webcam and have a chat with bassist/vocalist Urlo (also keyboards) about making the record and so on. But the story here isn’t so straightforward as band-has-new-album.

After celebrating their 20th anniversary in 2019, the Italian cosmic doom forebears announced in Jan. 2020 — perfect timing — they were taking an indefinite hiatus, which, honestly, felt well enough earned. Ufomammut didn’t owe anyone anything. Since 1999, they built and tore down huge walls of stylistic innovation, blending spaced-out synth, ambience, space rock and stretches of gloriously crushing riffs both in the studio and on tour, developing an aesthetic all their own and extending it even to their alter-ego visual arts concern, Malleus, and standing behind their own work and that of others with their Supernatural Cat imprint while also releasing through labels like NeurotRocket RecordingsThe Music Cartel and Beard of Stars, reaping massive acclaim on the way and influencing a subsequent generation of interstellar destroyers in their wake. What the hell more would you want from a band? Touring the world? Well they did that too.

In April 2021, they posted they were back with founders Urlo and guitarist Poia joined for the first time by a new drummer in Alessandro “Levre” Levrero, who on Fenice steps into the position formerly held by Vita — who now is just one of the two former members Ufomammut have had in their 23-year stretch — for a six-song collection the 38 minutes of which both bear signature hallmarks of who the band have always been but hold an unmistakably shifted dynamic, finding a different path to walk than they’ve ever had before. Maybe that’s just what Ufomammut needed. Judging by how alive Fenice sounds on a creative level — shit, judging by “Psychostasia” alone — that’s precisely the case.

With the album out today, I’m thrilled to post this recent chat I had with Urlo about the changes in the band over the last couple years, their prospects for hitting the road on tour again, how he feels about their past and what might come in the future.

Please enjoy:

Ufomammut, Fenice Interview with Urlo

Fenice is available now through Neurot Recordings. More info at the links.

Ufomammut, Fenice (2022)

Ufommammut website

Ufomammut on Facebook

Ufomammut on Twitter

Ufomammut on Instagram

Neurot Recordings website

Neurot Recordings on Facebook

Neurot Recordings on Bandcamp

Neurot Recordings on Twitter

Supernatural Cat website

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Ufomammut Announce New Album Fenice Out May 6; “Psychostasia” Video Posted

Posted in Whathaveyou on March 16th, 2022 by JJ Koczan

Ufomammut (Photo by Francesca De Franceschi Manzoni)

New Ufommaut! Or as I like to call it as of right this second, newfomammut! While I ponder just how many times I’ve made that joke in the last 13-plus years — how many records have Ufomammut made that time? — you’ll want to note the May 6 release for Fenice through Neurot Recordings and Supernatural Cat for the first Ufomammut studio LP since  2017’s 8 (review here), the first they’ve done since marking their 20th anniversary with the boxed set XX EP (review here) and their first since both going on hiatus following the departure of drummer Vita (now of Sonic Wolves) and coming back together with Levre behind the kit.

In short, it’s a big fucking deal. New song “Psychostasia” has a video streaming below and on first impression it wields the band’s signature cosmic crush ably and sets it against what feels like some more straightforward heavy rock groove. One way or the other, if you’re not already listening to it and looking forward to this album’s arrival, I got nothing for you today.

Fresh from the PR wire:

Ufomammut Fenice

UFOMAMMUT Announce Their New Album, “Fenice”! Out On May 6, 2022 via Neurot Recordings!

Hear Their Bold New Sound On “Psychostasia”!

On May 6th Italian alchemists and power trio Ufomammut return with their ninth studio album, Fenice via Neurot Recordings and Supernatural Cat. But not as we’ve heard them before, now “more intimate, more free.”

For over 20 years, the band has 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 (meaning Phoenix in Italian) symbolically represents endless rebirth and the ability to start again after everything seems doomed. The album is the first recording with new drummer Levre, and truly marks a new chapter in Ufomammut history.

“I think we lost our spontaneity, album after album,” says Urlo. “We tried to make more complicated songs and albums, but I think at some point we just ended up repeating ourselves. With Fenice, we were ready to start from zero, we had no past anymore – so we just wanted to be reborn and rise from the ashes..”

Whilst the band are well-known for their psychedelic travels into the far reaches of the cosmos, Fenice is a much more introspective listening experience. Fenice 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.

The towering synths on the opening track “Duat” evoke an almighty machine rising from the depths of primordial ooze. There’s a shift to a frenetic garage-psych pace before mellowing out into a more familiar doomy stomp. “Kepherer” is a respite, albeit a slight one, returning to the pulsing rhythms of the album’s intro before plunging the listener into the menacing build and release of “Psychostasia” next.

The second half of the record brings with it an even greater sense of dynamic exploration. “Metamorphoenix” oozes with curious synth patterns and noises, before descending into sinister chords and an oddly choral chant. An explosion of emotion heralds the beginning of “Pyramind”, all-encompassing in its riff worship and quasi-religious climax of mantra-esque vocals. “Empyros” is groovy yet irregular, with rhythms interplaying and more chanting voices, bringing the records to its end with a sense of dedication and purpose.

Each oscillation of this extraordinary album feels inevitable – 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.

Fenice shall be released on LP and CD formats via Neurot Recordings, with a limited edition LP version of 666 copies on Supernatural Cat.

Fenice Track listing:
1. Duat
2. Kepherer
3. Psychostasia
4. Metamorphoenix
5. Pyramind
6. Empyros

UFOMAMMUT are:
Poia – Guitars and Fxs
Urlo – Bass, Vocals, Fxs and Synths
Levre – Drums & Fxs
Ciccio – Sound lord

LIVE DATES:
07.05.22 – Alessandria (IT), Laboratorio Sociale – Album release party
14.05.22 – Mezzago (IT), Bloom
24.05.22 – Vienna (AT), Arena
25.05.22 – Karlsruhe (DE), Dudefest
26.05.22 – Bremen (DE), Tower
27.05.22 – Ghent (BE), Dunk!festival
28.05.22 – Groningen (NL), Vera
29.05.22 – Berlin (DE), Desertfest
30.05.22 – Dresden (DE), Chemiefabrik
31.05.22 – Salzburg (AT), Rockhouse
10.06.22 – Munich (DE), 17 Years Sound of Liberation Festival
11.06.22 – Piacenza (IT), Desert Fox Festival
24.06.22 – Wiesbaden (DE), 17 Years Sound of Liberation – Official Festival Warmup
26.06.22 – Clisson (FR), Hellfest
18.08.22 – Pescara (IT), Frantic Festival

www.ufomammut.com
www.facebook.com/ufomammutband
twitter.com/ufomammutmafia
www.instagram.com/ufomammut
http://www.neurotrecordings.com
http://www.facebook.com/neurotrecordings
https://neurotrecordings.bandcamp.com
https://twitter.com/OfficialNeurot
http://www.supernaturalcat.com

Ufomammut, “Psychostasia” official video

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The Obelisk Show on Gimme Metal Playlist: Episode 79

Posted in Radio on March 4th, 2022 by JJ Koczan

the obelisk show banner

Before I turn you over to the playlist — and I’m gonna try to keep this short either way — I want to single out and say thank you to Dean Rispler. He’s the engineer for this show, and with my dumbass voice tracks, it ran long. Instead of cutting out a song or whatever, Dean went ahead and trimmed intros and outros, making it a tighter ‘broadcast,’ such as it is, and enhancing the thing rather than detracting from it. Thank you, Dean. I know the effort that takes, the time that can take, and it is very much appreciated, by me if by no one else.

Some new stuff, some old stuff. I had Ufomammut on the brain and then I had stuff-I-like on the brain, and, well, that’s how you end up with me playing Colour Haze. I give myself points though for managing to leave Author & Punisher out of an episode though. I think he was in the last three. And if you haven’t heard the Charley No Face record, there’s a reason it starts the show.

If you listen, or you see these words, thanks.

The Obelisk Show airs 5PM Eastern today on the Gimme app or at: http://gimmemetal.com.

Full playlist:

The Obelisk Show – 03.04.22

Charley No Face Death Mask Eleven Thousand Volts
Wo Fat The Witching Chamber The Singularity
Fuzz Sagrado Lunik IX A New Dimension
Wovenhand Omaha Silver Sash
VT
Kryptograf The Spiral The Eldorado Spell
Uncle Woe Nine Kinds of Time Pennyfold Haberdashery & Abattoir Deluxe
Samavayo Afghan Sky Payan
JIRM Repent in Blood The Tunnel, the Well, Holy Bedlam
Green Hog Band Dragon Dragon
VT
Ufomammut Nero Idolum
Conan Battle in the Swamp Monnos
YOB Burning the Altar The Great Cessation
Colour Haze Grace She Said
VT
Acid King Coming Down From Outer Space Live at Roadburn 2011
Fuzz Meadows Benji Orange Sunshine

The Obelisk Show on Gimme Metal airs every Friday 5PM Eastern, with replays Sunday at 7PM Eastern. Next new episode is March 18 (subject to change). Thanks for listening if you do.

Gimme Metal website

The Obelisk on Facebook

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Sound of Liberation Updates Lineups for 17th Anniversary Parties

Posted in Whathaveyou on February 28th, 2022 by JJ Koczan

sound of liberation 17 years wiesbaden banner

Pick your poison here, it’s all killer. Makes sense when you think about it, too. If you’ve been waiting to have a party for two years, don’t you want to do it up? Thus it is that Sound of Liberation‘s plague-delayed 15th anniversary celebrations have become 17th anniversary celebrations — and frankly, having survived those extra two years is no mean feat either for a booking concern, or, you know, anyone — and the parties will be held June 10-11 in Munich and June 24-25 in Wiesbaden, Germany.

Simply put, the lineups aren’t fucking around. Colour Haze, Fu Manchu, High on Fire, 1000mods, Elder, Ufomammut, My Sleeping Karma, Yawning Man, Monkey3, The Well, Toundra, Villagers of Ionnina City, DVNE, Slomosa, Stoned Jesus, Lucid Void, and more to be announced. That pushes beyond “killer party” and into “this is actually a festival” territory, and after so much delay, I seriously doubt any of the concerned parties have a problem with that.

These will be significant evenings. If you’re going, drink it in.

As posted on socials:

sound of liberation 17 years munich poster

sound of liberation 17 years wiesbaden poster

17 YEARS SOUND OF LIBERATION FESTIVALS 2022

*** New Bands *** Day Splits *** Warm-Up Show ***

Dear friends and fans, we are excited to share a bunch of amazing news for our SOL Birthday Bashes in Munich and Wiesbaden with you.

We added some more outstanding acts to our line-ups and there’s an additional warm-up evening happening in Wiesbaden!

17 years Sound of Liberation • Backstage Munich

We’re stoked to finally share the day-splits with you!

Friday, 10th June 2022
Backstage, Munich (GER)
Line-Up: Colour Haze, High On Fire, Elder, UFOMAMMUT, Villagers of Ioannina City, Toundra, DVNE + more TBA
Tickets: http://www.sol-tickets.com

Saturday, 11th June 2022
Backstage, Munich (GER)
Line-Up: Fu Manchu, 1000mods, MY SLEEPING KARMA – OFFICIAL, Yawning Man (Official), monkey3, The Well + more TBA
Tickets: http://www.sol-tickets.com

Single-Day Tickets & Weekend Tickets are available.

17 years Sound of Liberation • Wiesbaden

Our party does now start a day earlier!

We’re proud to welcome no other than mighty UFOMAMMUT (ITA) and rising stars Slomosa (NOR) (+ one more band TBA) to rip down the Kesselhaus at Schlachthof Wiesbaden on June 24th and warm-up our neck muscles for the following full festival day!

Friday 24th June 2022
Official Festival Warm-Up
Schlachthof, Wiesbaden (GER)
Line-Up: UFOMAMMUT, Slomosa + 1 more band TBA
Tickets: http://www.sol-tickets.com

Saturday 25th June 2022
Schlachthof, Wiesbaden (GER)
Line-Up: 1000mods, Elder, MY SLEEPING KARMA – OFFICIAL, Stoned Jesus, The Well, Lucid Void + more TBA
Tickets: http://www.sol-tickets.com

We can’t wait for June, this is happening for real! Grab your tickets and join us in Munich and / or Wiesbaden

Stunning poster artwork by Malleus ROCK ART LAB

https://www.facebook.com/Soundofliberation/
https://www.instagram.com/soundofliberation/
https://www.soundofliberation.com/

High on Fire, “Speedwolf” live in Los Angeles, Aug. 23, 2021

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Desertfest Berlin 2022 Announces Lineup; Electric Wizard, Kadavar & Witchcraft to Headline

Posted in Whathaveyou on September 20th, 2021 by JJ Koczan

Desertfest Berlin 2022 banner

Tickets are on sale as of today for Desertfest Berlin 2022, which will be headlined by Electric Wizard, Kadavar playing a hometown show and Witchcraft. The rest of the lineup is a thrilling combination of mainstays — which somehow feels extra comforting — and upstarts, plus Stöner, who are kind of both, I guess, being a new band but with Brant Bjork and Nick Oliveri at the helm thereof. You’ll note Lowrider and Orange Goblin — the latter celebrating their 25th anniversary, delayed of course — and Elder and Ufomammut (debuting their new lineup), 1000mods and Truckfighters and My Sleeping Karma. Could hardly get more Desertfest than that. Like a reaffirmation of the festival’s core mission. Plus YOB, for extra life-giving vibes.

And with those, you get acts like SlomosaSliftPolymoon and Villagers of Ioannina City, underground celebrants like Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs and Samavayo and Dhidalah and MaidaVale and 24/7 Diva Heaven as well as Love MachineLos Bitchos and Huntsmen. There’s reportedly more to come — and by that I mean that’s what it says on the poster below — but for real, if this was the four days, I can’t imagine wanting to see any less than all of it.

Announcement follows as per the PR wire:

desertfest berlin 2022 poster

Desertfest Berlin – 26-29 May 2022

www.desertfest.de

LINEUP:
Electric Wizard
Kadavar
Witchcraft
Orange Goblin
YOB
Truckfighters
Elder
1000mods
My Sleeping Karma
Ufomammut
Stöner
Lowrider
Villagers of Ioannina City
SLIFT
MaidaVale
24/7 Diva Heaven
Samavayo
Slomosa
Los Bitchos
PigsPigsPigsPigsPigsPigsPigs
Dhidalah
Polymoon
Enigma Experience
Huntsmen
Love Machine

+ more to be announced

After two years without our beloved Desertfest happening, we need you more than ever. We can’t wait to see you all again to party, have some drinks and enjoy the finest of stoner, psychedelic, doom and heavy rock music!

Thank you so much for your continuous support and for holding on to your tickets. We want to give a little something back to you…

Existing weekend passes (3-days tickets) from 2020 will remain valid for the full 4 days in 2022 automatically. Yes, you will be granted access to ONE MORE FESTIVAL DAY ON TOP, FOR FREE!

We hope you’ll understand that there are logistical changes to the original 2020 line-up. Due to these challenges, existing 2020 single day ticket holders will be refunded for their chosen day. More info about our ticket-policy: www.desertfest.de/information

https://www.facebook.com/events/520164272080736
www.desertfest.de
www.facebook.com/DesertfestBerlin
www.instagram.com/desertfest_berlin

Desertfest Berlin 2019 official aftermovie

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Ufomammut Announce Return with New Drummer

Posted in Whathaveyou on April 20th, 2021 by JJ Koczan

Good news for, well, the universe, in that Italian cosmic doom magnates Ufomammut have drawn themselves back from hiatus in order to forge ahead with new material and a new drummer. After last month overseeing the release of a live album documenting their performance of the landmark album Eve (review here; discussed here) at Roadburn 2011, guitarist Poia and bassist Urlo have brought the band back with new drummer Levre, a friend of long-standing who’s previously toured with them.

So Ufomammut‘s hiatus, which was announced in January of last year, has basically rounded out to the band taking the same year off as everyone else. They just got in on the ground floor of 2020 inactivity, which in the end probably saved them a lot of canceled tour dates — though of course Poia pressed forward with solo-outfit The Mon and they would’ve been without a drummer following the departure of Vita, so yeah. Either way, glad there’s new Ufomammut on the horizon. The universe wasn’t quite the same without them.

From the PR wire:

ufomammut

UFOMAMMUT: Italian Heavy Psychedelic Trio Returns, Announcing New Drummer; New Plans And Recordings In The Works

Following a year-and-a-half of hiatus and regrouping, Italy’s reigning champions of immersive, heavy, psychedelic metal UFOMAMMUT announces their return, with a revamped lineup.

UFOMAMMUT spent several years of heavy touring across Europe and the United States supporting their eighth LP, 8, which saw release through Neurosis’ Neurot Recordings in 2017, resulting in their most successful live ventures in their two-decades-long history. In 2019, the band celebrated their twentieth anniversary, releasing the mammoth XX box set, commemorating their extensive discography. Shortly thereafter, the members experienced some differences on where the band was headed, and in January of 2020, longtime drummer Vita parted ways with the outfit and the band announced an indefinite hiatus. Weeks later, the world would find itself consumed by the worldwide outbreak of the still-ongoing pandemic.

During this ominous past year of outbreaks, lockdowns, cancellations, and severe angst, UFOMAMMUT’s guitarist Poia and bassist/vocalist Urlo channeled their energy into positive action, and silently reorganized the band. Now, they proudly welcome their new drummer, Levre, and the band’s return in 2021.

The band proudly announces, “After celebrating twenty years as a band, UFOMAMMUT reached a point of no return. As a result of an intense and difficult period, our paths divided. At the beginning of January 2020 Vita left the band and UFOMAMMUT announced that it was time to stop for an indefinite period of time. Shortly thereafter, the whole world was overwhelmed by the pandemic, which would have profoundly changed our lives. In this suspended time, we have had time to think, recover the lost energy and plan a new beginning. Now we are ready. It’s time to turn on the amps again.”

While no official plans have been announced, the revamped UFOMAMMUT is already putting projects into action, and new material is under construction. Stand by for further announcements on the band’s upcoming activities in 2021 and beyond over the months ahead.

In related news, UFOMAMMUT’s Urlo has been hard at work on new material for his solo project, The Mon, which debuted in 2018, with new material on the way this year. He also launched a new online video series during the pandemic, Para(In)Phernalia, with discussions on the gear, equipment, and techniques he and the other members of the band use to produce their sonic and visual creations. The installments have gained a healthy following from the band’s diehard fanbase, which reacts with notes and inquires, making for a very interactive experience.

The Malleus Rock Art Lab collective, which is also directly operated by members of UFOMAMMUT and Supernatural Cat, has also just launched their own new clothing line! Featuring bold prints and artwork created by the cooperative outfit, from the cotton used to the label applied to each garment, up to the shipping packaging, the group paid great attention to every detail of the new project. The entire printing and production process is 100% created in Italy and it’s carried out by Turin-based lab Sericraft.

www.ufomammut.com
https://ufomammut.8merch.com/
www.facebook.com/ufomammutband
www.instagram.com/ufomammut
http://www.supernaturalcat.com

Ufomammut, Eve Live at Roadburn 2011 (2021)

Ufomammut, 8 (2017)

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