Back in April I suggested that Ufomammut’s first album of 2012, the dense yet spacey 'Oro: Opus Primum', would make far more sense once its companion piece arrived later in the year, and so it has turned out. Where 'Opus Primum' was akin to a disturbing trip in the world of psychedelic stoner rock, 'Opus Alter' is, by contrast, almost refreshing. This Italian trio are still far from accessible but there are slight concessions to less hardy listeners here, and as such 'Opus Alter' is probably a better all-round record than its earlier companion.
Opener 'Oroborus' provides a case in point. The bass line is almost effortlessly enchanting, to the extent that the song could also be described as the catchiest Ufomammut song to date. Lovers of huge sludge riffs need not despair however as this is still an incredibly powerful album. Atmospherically, 'Opus Alter' is almost more claustrophobic than its predecessor, as proved by centrepiece, 'Sulphurdew'. Its main riff is repeated over and over, to the extent that Ufomammut briefly sound like they have donned cowls and joined Sunn O))) in focusing on droney heaviness.
After that almost suffocatingly heavy high point there is the appropriately titled 'Sublime'. Arguably the finest thing the band have produced to date, it genuinely soars in its climatic moments, yet when it turns up the heavy factor it is far more brutal and destructive than most out and out metal bands. In fact, perhaps that sums up Ufomammut better than anything else could. Sometimes their sound washes over the listener in a not dissimilar way to the likes of My Bloody Valentine or Mogwai, but then just when the atmospheric ambience has dropped away they hit you with punishing waves of sludge.
On 'Opus Primum' this formula was well developed, but perhaps suffered occasionally for being too obtuse. On 'Opus Alter' there is no such danger. This record not only sits as a perfect companion piece to the last album, it also works fantastically in its own right. Propelled by hurricane like force, 'Opus Alter' is not for everyone but for lovers of interesting heavy music, it is a journey that should be cherished.
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Opener 'Oroborus' provides a case in point. The bass line is almost effortlessly enchanting, to the extent that the song could also be described as the catchiest Ufomammut song to date. Lovers of huge sludge riffs need not despair however as this is still an incredibly powerful album. Atmospherically, 'Opus Alter' is almost more claustrophobic than its predecessor, as proved by centrepiece, 'Sulphurdew'. Its main riff is repeated over and over, to the extent that Ufomammut briefly sound like they have donned cowls and joined Sunn O))) in focusing on droney heaviness.
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