Italian psychedelic/doom trio Ufomammut presents a new EP, “Crookhead”, confirmed for release on October 31st, 2023, through their own Supernatural Cat Records, as they prepare to celebrate their 25th anniversary in the new year.
Rising from the ashes of their prior band Judy Corda, Ufomammut formed in the late 1990s by Poia (guitars, effects) and Urlo (bass, vocals, effect, synths), together with Vita (drums). For more than two decades, Ufomammut 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.
In 2022, Ufomammut released their latest album, Fenice (“phoenix” in Italian), representing endless rebirth and the ability to start again after everything seems doomed. Released through Neurot Recordings, the album was 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 showcased 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.
In 2023, Ufomammut took part in the “Superunknown Redux” album for Magnetic Eye Records, paying tribute to Soundgarden with their cover of “Let Me Drown”. The personal interpretation of the song was well-received, and considered by the listeners as one of the standout moments on the compilation.
Now, Ufomammut presents a brand new EP, “Crookhead”, with three new songs that continue the expansion of the band’s sonic vision. Presenting three new tracks, the EP was recorded at Flat Scenario Studio in Italy by Lorenzo Stecconi with studio tech assistant Luca Grossi in July 2022, and was mixed and mastered at Triple Sun by Lorenzo Stecconi. The artwork, as with all of the band’s releases, was designed and printed in Italy by Malleus Rock Art Lab, the graphic design collective, which Poia and Urlo are both founding members of, and will be released on their Supernatural Cat label. The artwork, with its handprinted and numbered silkscreen cover, adds an artistic touch to the EP. “Crookhead” is a foretaste of the band’s impending tenth album, which will be released when the band celebrates their 25th anniversary in 2024.
Like any good psychedelic trip, the music of Ufomammut has always been inextricably intertwined with visual art. Poia describes longer compositions, “like a painting”, as if to reinforce the relevance and importance of visual art in the band’s music.
Ufomammut’s “Crookhead” EP will be released on Halloween, October 31st, 2023. The EP will released digitally and in a limited edition vinyl version of 500 copies: 200 on Marble Red Vinyl, 200 in Marble Gold Vinyl, and 100 in clear transparent vinyl which will be available only on the band’s fall tour. Preorders are now live at the Supernatural Cat shop here.
Tracklist:
1. Crookhead
2. Supernova
3. Vibrhate
Watch for audio/visual previews of the record to be issued over the weeks ahead.
Ufomammut has booked a Fall tour across Europe in conjunction with the release of “Crookhead”, with dates running from October 29th through December 3rd. See the confirmed dates below and expect new tours to be announced into the new year.
European Tour Dates 2023:
10/29/2023 Samhain Festival – Maastricht, NL
10/30/2023 Feierwerk – Munich, DE
11/04/2023 Sonic Rites – Helsinki, FI
11/15/2023 Mostovna – Nova Gorica, SLO
11/16/2023 Arena – Wien, AT
11/17/2023 Turbina – Budapest, HU
11/18/2023 Stadtwerkstatt – Linz, AT
11/19/2023 Kamienna – Krakow, PL
11/20/2023 Hydrozagadka – Warsaw, PL
11/21/2023 Kabinet Muz – Brno, CZ
11/22/2023 Club 007 Strahov – Prague, CZ
11/23/2023 Cassiopeia – Berlin, DE
11/24/2023 Hafenklang – Hamburg, DE
11/25/2023 4AD – Diksmuide, BE
11/26/2023 GeBAude 9 – Koln, DE
11/27/2023 P8 – Karlsruhe, DE
11/29/2023 Effenaar – Eindhoven, NL
11/30/2023 Le Bulle – Lille, FR
11/01/2023 Petit Bain – Paris, FR
11/02/2023 La Poudriere – Belfort, FR
11/03/2023 Old Capitol – Langenthal, CH
Line-up:
Poia – Guitars, effects
Urlo – Bass, vocals, effects, synths
Levre – Drums, effects
Ciccio – Soundlord
