Belgian cosmic sludge power trio Pothamus unleash sophomore album »Abur«; out today via Pelagic Records!

Mechelen, Belgium based psychedelic sludge/post-rock trio Pothamus has unleashed their sophomore album »Abur« this Friday, February 14th, 2025 via Pelagic Records.

Tracklist:
01. Zhikarta
02. Ravus
03. De-varium
04. Svartuum Avur
05. Ykavus
06. Abur

Courtesy of Pelagic Records:

Belgian psychedelic sludge-metal trio Pothamus have released their second full-length album, »Abur« via Berlin’s Pelagic Records.

The heavily anticipated spiritual successor to their 2020 debut »Raya«, »Abur« finds the band honing an already formidable sound and widening their distinct musical palette in order to create truly original and staggeringly heavy music that steers them ever further away from well-trodden post-metal paths. 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.

»Abur« sees Pothamus’ signature ritualistic sound elevated by the haunting sounds of the Surpeti, a 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 this creative zenith was musical contemporary and close friend Chiaran Verheyden (Psychonaut, Hippotraktor) who recorded, mixed and mastered the album.

Photo by Céline Gladiné

Imbued with awe-inspiring musical maturity, one of the new album’s standout tracks is »Ravus«. A cosmic confluence of devotional-inspired vocals and relentless, soul-crushing heaviness; »Ravus« is meticulously crafted; a living, breathing entity that rises and ultimately descends into apocalyptic breakdown at Pothamus’ effortless command. Named after Orphic mythology’s »Headless King«, the song is a conceptual reference to the anthropogenic climate disaster unfolding right now as a consequence of our misguided belief that nature is something separate to humanity that can be controlled and commodified.

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.

»Abur« is out now.

Pothamus on »Ravus«: “The song drives forward with a relentless, persistent thud; locked into a single, powerful cadence that constantly builds in intensity. Like waves swelling and crashing, the sound grows heavier and heavier. Screams and clean vocals engage in a dynamic dialogue, weaving through the maelstrom. Momentarily relieved by a ray of light in the middle section that offers a brief revelation amidst the chaos, »Ravus« is a sonic deluge and a warning for what lies ahead.”

Order / download / stream »Abur« HERE.

Pothamus is:
Mattias M. Van Hulle – Drums
Michael Lombarts – Bass
Sam Coussens – Guitar & Vocals

Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well