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Sure
thing. Doom may be the underground flavor of the year but few do
it so convincingly as Italy's psychedelic distorters Ufomammut.
With their latest Idolum (their fifth overall release
counting the collaboration with Lento) being their first release
getting proper promotion in the US, these bambinos are finally
destined to get
some exposure outside the old world. Read on and spread the
word.
- The band formed in 1999, how
did you find each other?
We are friends and as friends we were in the same ‘pool of
sound’. Urlo and Poia were playing together in a band of strange
acid noise- psych- rock called Judy Corda, when they met Vita,
the future drummer of Ufomammut.
- What does Ufomammut mean?
It's the mix between UFO (Unidentified Flying Objects) and
mammut (Italian for mammoth). The word Ufomammut was wafting in
our minds years before the band’s birth. The reason why we've
chosen this moniker is pretty clear, we believe it fits
perfectly with the music.
- How has the original idea for the band differ to what the band
is right now?
We started the Ufomammut journey with no physical destination.
It's been an exploration of the Universe inside the hidden part
of human brain. We're still exploring...
- Would you say your music has evolved?
Evolution, change, exploration of new landscapes. The search.
All these themes have always been present in Ufomammut DNA.
Don't know if this is maturation, but we think we are more
focused, more ‘to the point’. Our weapons are sharpened.
- Your first demo was titled Satan and your third album
was Lucifer Songs. Lyrically, what do you deal with? Do
you deal with the occult, or is it more of a secondary factor
where it just plays a role…a la early Monster Magnet.
It's not a matter of occult, religion or belief. Is something
that deals with the deepest part of human beings. Lucifer was
the fallen angel. He was cursed for his rebellion against God.
He is the symbol of the man thinking with his own head, when
refuses to follow ideas of someone else. It speaks of freedom,
independence. Evolution, again.
- As I understand it, one or more of your members are/is part of
the Malleus Art Lab, which has now spawned the Supernatural Cat
label. Could you explain the relationship?
We know sometimes this crossed roles could seem complicated...
Anyway, Urlo and Poia (bass and guitar of Ufomammut) are part
of Malleus too, together with Lu. Supernatural Cat is the label
created by Malleus.
- For your new record Idolum, your website says it’s a
‘different idea of psychedelic rock’. Could you please
explain how so? Was your objective different than in previous
albums?
In contrast with the previous albums, Idolum has been
conceived in only three months. This time we have cut off
everything not necessary, instead of adding. The difference
stands in this idea. We could consider psychedelia like a banal
stratification of sounds and noises. The more strange beeps and
twirls you add, the more you are psychedelic. Idolum is
like a hidden menace. You start your journey to the center of
the mind listening on what you could not hear. Don't know if
this is clear, but this is what we intended.
- Every artist hails its latest recording as its pinnacle. Do
you? If so, how would you rationalize its superiority over your
previous records?
 Yes, of course we do. But in this case is not a commercial
strategy. We are used to be extremely judgmental on what we do.
Simply, in our previous steps, there was always something that
was unsatisfying... Some tracks, some sounds... Idolum is
not perfect, obviously. There is lots of energy and work behind
the record. We love each track. They are simple and they flow
together like a single wave. Every time we put the music on, we
are really impressed by the immense sound harnessed by Lorenzer
of Lento. Moreover even the artwork of the limited edition is
really beautiful.
- Lento, Ufomammut and Morkobot. All Italian. All great. All
quite open to experimentations. Yet, each with a distinctive
sound. Would you say there is an emerging scene of like-minded
musicians in Italy?
We are in search of the most original and heart-blood musical
proposal in this catatonic country. We don't believe so much in
terms like ‘scene’ or ‘genre. We have always had adventurous
musicians. But they've always been a small maniple.
- I am always interested in musician’s favorite albums. Plus, I
like to find obscure bands. As many as you want. -How about
Italian bands?
Beatles and Pink Floyd are not so obscure, but they are still
our main inspiration. Nowadays, with the Net, is easier to know
about lost treasures. Concerning Italian bands, we suggest you
to listen to Area, and the Italian progressive period in
general.
- What’s next for the band? Touring plans.
We will probably fly to the USA next September... Hope to see
you all on the road!
Official Site
MySpace |
