Ufomammut
Italian doom metal trio known for heavy riffs and droning vocals.
Ufomammut is an Italian doom metal band that came together in 1999, founded by guitarist Poia, bassist-vocalist Urlo, and drummer Vita. Their music is built around long tracks, heavy repeating riffs, droning vocals, and layers of synths and sound effects. The group has put out nine studio albums, with their most recent two released through Neurot Recordings.
The band’s core lineup stayed the same until 2020, when Vita left to focus on other projects. Their first album, *Godlike Snake*, came out in 2000 on Beard of Stars Records, followed by *Snailking* in 2004. *Lucifer Songs* (2005) marked a shift toward heavier drone and synth use. In 2007 they collaborated with fellow Italian band Lento on *Supernaturals: Record One*. *Idolum* (2008) pushed their monolithic, psychedelic sound further. *Eve* (2010) is a single 45-minute track split into five movements, portraying Eve as a figure blending Lucifer and Prometheus. *ORO* was released in two parts in 2012—*Opus Primum* in April and *Opus Alter* in September—designed to flow together as one piece. *Ecate* (2015) followed, named after the goddess Hecate, and showed a more aggressive, complex evolution in songwriting. Their latest studio album, *8* (2017), is a continuous stream of music split into eight songs, recorded live with no overdubs except for vocals and synths.
Ufomammut have played festivals such as Roadburn, Hellfest, and Maryland Death Fest, and toured Europe, the US, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and Russia. Their live shows feature video loops synced to the music, created by Malleus Rock Art Lab, a collective that includes Poia and Urlo. Vita’s departure and a temporary hiatus were announced in January 2020. In April 2021, the band returned with new drummer Levre.
The bass and guitar are heavily distorted, drum rhythms are slow, and the band uses custom tube amplifiers with full-size cabinets, tuning both guitar and bass to B. Song structures often resemble progressive rock. Past members include drummer Vita, bassist-drummer Tavor, keyboardists Alien, The Flyeater, and LeGof.
Quick Facts
- Background
- group or band
- Origin
- Tortona, Italy
- Genre
- Doom metal · stoner rock · sludge metal · drone metal
- Years Active
- 1999–2020, 2021–present
- Label
- Neurot · Supernatural Cat · Rocket · The Music Cartel · Beard of Stars
- Current Members
- Poia / Urlo / Levre
- Past Members
- Vita
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Ufomammut was formed in Italy in 1999 by Poia, Urlo, and Vita, a lineup that remained stable until 2020, when Vita left to dedicate himself to other musical projects. The band released their debut studio album Godlike Snake in 2000 through Beard of Stars Records, followed by Snailking in 2004, which was later reissued by Supernatural Cat Records in 2009. Their third album Lucifer Songs (2005) brought a massive use of droning sounds and synths, and in 2007 they recorded a collaboration album with fellow Italian band Lento titled Supernaturals: Record One.
In 2008, Ufomammut released Idolum, pushing their monolithic sound and psychedelic vein to a new level. Their fifth album Eve (2010) consists of one 45-minute atmospheric track divided into five movements, depicting Eve as a figure reminiscent of both Lucifer and Prometheus. The two-chapter album ORO was delivered by Neurot Recordings in 2012, with Opus Primum in April and Opus Alter in September, its concepts mutating the Italian palindrome for 'gold' with the Latin translation of 'I pray.' Ecate (2015) and 8 (2017) followed, with 8 being a continuous flux of music recorded live with no overdubs except vocals and synths.
The band announced Vita's departure and a temporary hiatus in January 2020, but returned in April 2021 with new drummer Levre. Ufomammut have performed at festivals including Roadburn, Hellfest, and Maryland Death Fest, and have toured Europe, the US, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and Russia. Their live shows are supported by the video and graphic art studio Malleus Rock art lab, of which Poia and Urlo are part.
Reader's Guide
Ufomammut's significance lies in their distinctive fusion of doom metal with psychedelic and drone elements, creating a monolithic sound that evolved over two decades. Their use of lengthy compositions, repeated heavy riffs, droning vocals, and synths, combined with hypnotic visuals from Malleus Rock art lab, established them as a notable force in the European doom metal scene. The band's conceptual albums, such as Eve and the two-part ORO, demonstrate a commitment to thematic depth and sonic exploration. Their stable lineup from 1999 to 2020 allowed for a consistent artistic vision, and their later albums on Neurot Recordings brought wider recognition. The departure of original drummer Vita in 2020 and the subsequent addition of Levre marked a new chapter, but the band's legacy is defined by their eight studio albums and their influence on the intersection of doom, psychedelia, and progressive rock. Their live performances, synced with video loops, further enhanced their reputation for immersive shows.
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