Description
A maelstrom of music and metaphysics, a crushing conduit for connection, contemplation and catharsis; ritualistic sludge-metal juggernauts Pothamus return to this plane of existence with new album ‘Abur’, the highly anticipated spiritual successor to their colossal debut, ‘Raya’.
The search for meaning stands central as a pillar of belief in the enigmatic world of Pothamus. Whilst blending eastern philosophy and western esotericism into a unique ontology, the band stay true to the fundamentals of music: sounds, instruments and bodies coming together just as they too drift away. To experience Pothamus is to open yourself to an immersive, out-of-body experience that transcends the ordinary and delves deep into the profound.
Based in Mechelen, Belgium, Mattias M. Van Hulle, Michael Lombarts and Sam Coussens formed Pothamus in 2013 and have been enthralling audiences with their breathtaking command of hypnotic riffage, floating drones, tribal percussion, and abrasive bass lines for over a decade. Their debut full-length release, 2020’s ‘Raya’ (via Consouling Sounds) was an immediate and powerful testament to the band’s dedication to their distinctive sound, marking a significant milestone in the band’s journey. The trio’s pounding drums, colossal bass and hypnotic guitars conjure something truly primal as devotional-like vocals speak of elemental forces older than time itself, receiving critical acclaim and paving the way for transcendental live shows at some of Belgium’s most prestigious venues and at international festivals such as ArcTanGent, ESNS, Motocultor and more.
‘Abur’, Pothamus’ sophomore full-length is an odyssey of truly epic proportions. As well as honing their already formidable live sound in the intervening years, the band have widened their musical palette in order to explore a truly original take on heavy music that steers them ever further away from well-trodden post-metal paths. On ‘Abur’ the Pothamus’ signature ritualistic sound is elevated by the glacial sounds of the Surpeti, an drone instrument originating from the Indian subcontinent traditionally used for mantra singing, whilst drummer Van Hulle adds his voice in harmony with guitarist Coussens’ to create an astounding richness and depth. Capturing Pothamus at their creative zenith was musical contemporary and close friend Chiaran Verheyden (Psychonaut, Hippotraktor) who recorded, mixed and mastered ‘Abur’.
Lead single and the first piece written for the album, ‘Savartuum Avur’ is an uncompromising invitation to cast away the preconceived beliefs and social constructs that lure us away from unity. Building as one like a gathering storm, ‘Savartuum Avur’ is Pothamus embracing chaos as the generative force behind creation; unleashing their unmistakable cosmic sludge metal in an exhilarating statement of intent.
Elsewhere, tracks like punishing album opener ‘Zhikarta’ and the pounding ‘Ravus’ are empowered with a breathtaking musical maturity that sees Pothamus content to revel in the majesty of the moment; the meticulously crafted compositions rising and falling effortlessly at their command.
Although more delicate than other pieces on ‘Abur’, ‘Ykavus’ is easily one of the album’s heaviest offerings. With no guitars present and only the icy sound of the Surpeti at its heart, ‘Ykavus’ is meditative patience perfected. With the band’s newfound dual vocals given room to freely intertwine, the track evokes the atmosphere of a sacred ritual or invocation with the Surpeti serving as a sonic guide, inviting the listener into the inner circle of enlightenment.
A 44-minute pilgrimage through nature, animism and the depths of the human soul, ‘Abur’ is Pothamus’ answer to the big, existential questions that keep us all awake at night. Titanic, all-consuming heaviness is met with ethereal, airy beauty as the band contemplates the interconnectedness of all things, creating a singular sonic universe balanced perfectly between cosmic creation and absolute destruction.
