Review of Ufomammut's New Album "Hidden"

The Heavy Psyche of Ufomammut’s ‘Hidden’: An Album Review

Ufomammut’s latest album, “Hidden,” marks their 25th anniversary and is a testament to their evolution in the doom and stoner metal scene. The album is described as mercilessly heavy and sludgy, taking listeners on a journey through space and time with its sonic exploration and experimentation.

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“Hidden” is characterized by its crushing heaviness that harkens back to the stone age, yet it’s nuanced in its concepts, potentially telling an allegorical tale. Tracks like “Mausoleum” feature distant sounds of laughter and human interaction, adding to the album’s depth and complexity.

The band’s approach to doom metal is stripped back to basics, dialing up the fuzz and delivering each riff with venomous force. Despite the darkness that has always been part of Ufomammut’s music, “Hidden” delves deeper into the barbaric realms of sludge, creating a sonic barrage that wreaks havoc on the eardrums.

However, Ufomammut hasn’t completely abandoned the atmospheric elements of their sound. The song “Soulost” stands out with its long, twisting synth introduction, morphing into a riffing juggernaut that sends shivers down the spine with its screaming guitar lead and pounding rhythmic drones.

The album’s synths and sound effects give it a cinematic vibe, reminiscent of doomed space missions caught in time vortexes. It’s an intense and explosive experience, with the sludgier elements wonderfully balanced with the darker psychedelic parts.

“Hidden” is a powerful addition to Ufomammut’s discography, celebrating their legacy while pushing the boundaries of their genre. It’s a heavy, heady mix of doom, sludge, and psychedelia that will likely resonate with fans old and new.

• Track Exploration: The opening track, “Crookhead,” sets the tone with a sprawling 10-minute journey that combines thick, bruising distortion with swirling psychedelic electronica1. It maintains a consistent mindset throughout, creating a compelling soundscape that is unmistakably Ufomammut.
• Song Dynamics: “Kismet” follows, initially highlighting the band’s space rock heritage before returning to dense distortion. The vocals, a shouted variety, add a raw energy, especially in the up-tempo ‘chorus’ passage that drives the song forward.
• Sludgy Elements: “Spidher” stands out with its sludgy nastiness, delivering dirty, crushing fuzz that is a hallmark of the band’s sound. This track, in particular, showcases Ufomammut’s ability to balance heavy riffs with atmospheric elements.
• Atmospheric Journeys: The longest track on the album, “Mausoleum,” dedicates a significant portion of its runtime to quieter, trippy space/psychedelic rock jamming. It features shimmering, oscillating electronic sound textures that are driven excellently by the band’s new drummer, Levre.
• Conceptual Depth: The album’s concept brings to mind doomed space missions and time vortexes, creating an intense and explosive experience that is balanced with darker psychedelic parts. The synths and sound effects throughout the album enhance this cinematic vibe.
• Artistic Continuity: “Hidden” marks a significant point in Ufomammut’s career, reflecting their dedication to their craft and their ability to evolve within the genre. The album is a fitting celebration of their 25-year legacy, showcasing their mastery of psychedelic stoner doom.
• Critical Reception: The album has been well-received, with reviewers noting the band’s renewed sense of energy and attention to detail that encompasses the psychedelic artwork of the cover. It remains true to their roots while fitting in with the modern world.

“Hidden” is not just an album; it’s a sonic odyssey that reaffirms Ufomammut’s status as pioneers in their genre, offering both long-time fans and newcomers a rich, immersive listening experience.

• Production Quality: The production on “Hidden” is meticulous, with a clear separation of instruments that allows each riff and drum hit to be distinctly heard. This clarity adds to the weight of the music, making the heavy parts more impactful.
• Lyrical Themes: While the lyrics are sparse and often obscured by the music, they touch on themes of existentialism and the human condition, adding a layer of depth to the already atmospheric music.

• Instrumental Innovations: The use of unconventional instruments and sound effects, such as theremin-like sounds and industrial noise, contributes to the album’s otherworldly feel.
• Artwork and Visuals: The album’s artwork is a visual representation of the music’s themes, featuring abstract and cosmic imagery that complements the band’s exploration of space and time.
• Band Dynamics: The synergy between the band members is evident, with each member contributing to a cohesive sound that’s both massive and intricate.
• Critical Acclaim: Critics have praised “Hidden” for its ability to balance the band’s signature heaviness with experimental elements, noting it as a standout release in the doom metal genre.
• Fan Reception: Fans have responded positively to the album, particularly highlighting the track “Leeched” for its hypnotic riffs and atmospheric build-up.
• Drumming: Levre’s drumming is a highlight, providing a solid backbone to the music while also adding flourishes that enhance the psychedelic elements of the tracks.

• Evolution of Sound: “Hidden” represents an evolution in Ufomammut’s sound, incorporating more progressive structures and rhythms while maintaining their core doom metal identity.
• Live Performance Potential: The songs on “Hidden” are crafted in a way that they would translate well to live performances, promising an immersive and intense experience for concert-goers.

Ufomammut’s “Hidden” with fresh insights:

• Innovative Songwriting: “Hidden” showcases a shift in Ufomammut’s songwriting process, embracing a darker and heavier tone. This change is evident in the album’s structure, which is divided into two distinct halves, each frothing with a youthful aggression reminiscent of the band’s early years.
• Historical Significance: The album marks a milestone in the band’s history, being their 13th release. It celebrates their 25-year journey through the doom and stoner metal scene, reflecting their roots in albums like “Snailking” (2004) and “Lucifer Songs” (2006), while also highlighting their growth and maturity as musicians.
• Sonic Texture: The sound textures in “Hidden” are particularly noteworthy. Tracks like “Mausoleum” feature oscillating electronic sounds that provide a haunting backdrop to the heavy riffs, showcasing the band’s ability to create a multi-layered auditory experience.
• Drumming Excellence: The addition of Levre on drums has brought a renewed sense of energy to the band’s rhythm section. His drumming style adds a new dimension to the music, driving the heavier sections and accentuating the atmospheric parts.
• Album Artwork: The psychedelic artwork of “Hidden” complements the music’s themes, adding a visual layer to the album’s concept. It encapsulates the band’s exploration of space and time, enhancing the listener’s experience.
• Critical and Fan Reception: The album has been met with critical acclaim, with reviewers praising its balance of heaviness and experimental elements. Fans have also responded positively, especially to tracks like “Leeched” for their entrancing riffs and atmospheric depth.
• Live Performance Anticipation: The crafting of the tracks on “Hidden” suggests that they will be particularly powerful in a live setting. Fans can expect an intense and immersive experience when these songs are performed on stage.
• Overall Impact: “Hidden” is not just an album; it’s a statement of Ufomammut’s enduring presence in the metal scene. It’s a testament to their ability to evolve while staying true to their roots, offering a rich and immersive listening experience that stands out in the genre.

The tracklist for Ufomammut’s album “Hidden” is as follows:

1. Crookhead - A 10-minute opener that sets the expansive and heavy tone for the album.
2. Kismet - Clocking in at 8:56, this track showcases the band’s space rock heritage before plunging back into dense distortion.
3. Spidher - At 4:05, it stands out with its sludgy nastiness and dirty, crushing fuzz.
4. Mausoleum - The longest track at 10:47, it dedicates significant time to quieter, trippy space/psychedelic rock jamming.
5. Leeched - This 5:37 track features hypnotic riffs and an atmospheric build-up that has been highlighted by fans.
6. Soulost - The closing track at 4:25, it features a long, twisting synth introduction that morphs into a riffing juggernaut.

Each track contributes to the album’s narrative, creating a cohesive journey through Ufomammut’s unique blend of doom, sludge, and psychedelia. The album’s structure, with its two distinct halves, reflects a shift in the band’s musical composition, aiming for a more intense and heavy sound. “Hidden” is the 10th album of Ufomammut and marks the third release featuring Levre as the band’s new drummer. The title reflects the concept of the presence of everything in our existence and the ability to bring to light what lies within us. With “Hidden,” Ufomammut delves into a sonic journey that traverses vast expanses of space and time, from the crushing heaviness to the haunting melodies, from the textured compositions to the otherworldly atmospheres3. This album testifies to the never-ending evolution of Ufomammut and their mastery of creating immersive sonic experiences.

With “Hidden,” Ufomammut continues to push the boundaries of doom and stoner metal, proving that even after 25 years, they can still surprise and captivate listeners with their music.