MAMMOTH STORM To Reissue Thunderous 2014- Doom Debut EP, Rites Of Ascension, On Vinyl!

Swedish doom metal juggernaut, MAMMOTH STORM, has announced to reissue their highly acclaimed debut EP, Rites Of Ascension, on Vinyl this April through Argonauta Records!

The band, who formed in 2012, burst into the heavy doom, sludge and metal world when they released their impressive, 2014- EP, Rites Of Ascension, which gained them not only high praise from both fans and critics alike, but also tour opportunities all over Europe with bands such as AHAB and many more. MAMMOTH STORM’s first full length album, Fornjot, was released by Napalm Records in 2015.

Four years later, the trio featuring bassist and vocalist Daniel Arvidsson (also in Draconian), drum and organ wizard Emil Ahlman as well as guitarist Christer Ström, returned to the scene pursuing heavy as hell riffs in the name of doom with the release of their critically acclaimed, second album Alruna in 2019 on Italy’s powerhouse label Argonauta Records.

Yet Rites Of Ascension marks the band’s most traded record jewel, and one of the best and heaviest underground doom tips to date. MAMMOTH STORM’s debut is a thunderous, lumbering beast of an EP; brutally heavy, slow and majestic, to the sound of riffs the size of mammoth storms.

Originally released as digital formats in 2014, doom fans all over the world have been frequently asking for a physical reissue. In cooperation with their label Argonauta Records, MAMMOTH STORM are proudly re-releasing Rites Of Ascension on Vinyl! Coming out on April 30, 2021, this highly collectable and limited, coloured LP edition is now available to pre-order at THIS LOCATION!

For More Info Visit:

www.facebook.com/MammothStorm
www.instagram.com/mammothstorm_official
www.mammothstorm.bandcamp.com
www.argonautarecords.com

Mammoth Storm - Alruna (Album Review)

Release date: June 28th 2019. Label: Argonauta Records. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

Alruna – Tracklisting

1. Giants

2. Alruna

3. Shores of the Dead

4. Raven Void

5. Atra Mors

Members

Daniel Arvidsson - Bass, Vocals

Christer Ström - Guitars

Emil Ahlman - Drums, Organ

Review

Mammoth Storm new album Alruna sees the Swedish riffsters return with a progressive and heavier psychedelic sound. The music is more grounded compared to previous releases as the band create a gloomier and heavier atmosphere.

First song – Giants – is a gloomy song that opens with a straight forward Doom/Stoner Metal riff before exploding into a full-on Sludge Metal groove with elements of Post-Metal based sounds with a Psychedelic Rock/Metal grizzled vibe settles everything down. The vocals from Daniel have a Hardcore feel to them but they’re easy to understand and sung with complete conviction. The music feels inspired by CONAN in places but Mammoth Storm operate by their own heavy destructive rules and this song ends up being a compelling and exciting journey from start to finish.

Second song – Alruna – starts off very quietly and slowly with Mammoth Storm playing a subdued Post-Doom/Post-Rock style of music before allowing the heavy atmospheric guitars take the lead and offer a more commanding presence. The psychedelic and heavy post-metallic sounds fully come alive when Daniel’s vocals appear and Mammoth Storm play a thunderous style of Sludge, Doom and Stoner Metal for one of the standout songs on the album. The lyrics are superb and allows the band to tell an intense and powerful story that matches the music perfectly well.

Third song – Shores Of The Dead – is a deeply unflinching slice of Doom/Stoner/Sludge Metal spliced with a world weary cosmic/psychedelic sound. The vocals and lyrics feel more personal compared to the other songs held on the album. This is perhaps the heaviest song contained on Alruna and that’s down to Mammoth Storm fully embracing their Doom Metal persona on this song. The band leave no stone unturned in creating a deeply emotional song.

The final two songs - Raven Void and Atra Mors – sees Mammoth Storm playing almost eighteen minutes of heavy Post-Doom/Stoner Metal grooves with the band focusing more on their Psychedelic riffs than ever before. Though, that’s my humble opinion. Others may think differently. I enjoyed the different styles of music that Mammoth Storm play on these final songs. As it’s quite different to the earlier songs. The vocals are quite majestic and ferocious at the same time especially on Raven Void.

The instrumental work is an absolute joy to hear. The whole atmosphere of the album is quite eerie and challenging to listen to as Mammoth Storm never shy away from playing brutal and highly atmospheric sounds. The production is first rate and this allows Mammoth Storm to play some of the heaviest music of their career so far.

Mammoth Storm have taken a lot of creative risks with this album and the results are glorious and allows this album to be ranked as one of the best Doom/Sludge/Stoner Metal albums of the year.

It’s seriously that good.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Mona at All Noir PR for the promo. Alruna will be available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl via ArgonautaRecords from June 28^th 2019.

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp

Mammoth Storm - Fornjot (Album Review)

Release date: November 06^th 2015. Label: Napalm Records. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

Fornjot – Tracklisting

1. Augurs Echo

2. Vultures Prey

3. Sumerian Cry

4. Fornjot

5. Horns of Jura

6. Hekla

Band Members:

Daniel Arvidsson - Bass, Vocals

Christer Ström - Guitars

Emil Ahlman - Drums, Organ

Review:

Mammoth Storm released a well-received EP – Rite of Ascension - back in 2014 with the band’s style of progressive Doom/Stoner Metal. These guys are from Sweden and we know Sweden are one of the current kings of all things Doom/Stoner Metal. Now, Mammoth Storm return their debut full length record – Fornjot.

Fornjot is a conceptual album of sorts based on an Ancient Giant from Norse mythology who was king of Finland, Kvenland and Gotland. (I know this sounds like a crazy advert for a Folk/Power Metal album but it’s not. So you’re safe on that one). Mammoth Storm have stuck very closely to their Swedish roots on this album. Heavy Doom/Stoner Metal riffs blended with tales of mythology and fantasy. It’s a setup that the guys brilliantly get away with as they’ve created a non-stop exercise of loud progressive doom metal riffage.

Opening track – Augars Echo – is an epic 11 minute track with the band creating a doomy atmosphere with the emphasis on noise and volume. Daniel’s vocals are very narrative at times with an exciting story unfolding right in front of you. The bass heavy guitars add extra grit as the band venture into progressive rock/metal territory. There’s an element of FUZZ which I didn’t expect as the sound becomes more distorted before a twisted vibe of Psych Rock appears.

Second track – Vultures Prey – is another epic doom-laden track with the music once again remaining within the Doom/Fuzz/Stoner Metal realm. The lyrics will probably mean more to fans of Norse Mythology but that doesn’t stop this being another exciting song on the album. The drums and guitars are loud through-out with a few moments of psychedelic freak-outs merged with slow progressive doomy riffs. Daniel is clearly passionate about what he’s singing about as his vocal range is quite impressive on this song.

Third track – Sumerian Cry – is one of the albums shortest tracks running under 3 minutes. It’s an instrumental song with hints of Eastern vibes. A nice change from the band. Shame it’s such a short song as the duelling guitars set against a distorted noisy backdrop has quite a calming and soothing atmosphere.

Fourth track – Fornjot – finally appears and it’s good to see what this mystical Norse Giant has in store for us. As expected, Mammoth Storm create some of the albums most exciting moments as the heavy progressive doom/stoner metal riffs weave a dark hypnotic almost trance-like vibe. It’s a very slow paced affair but that’s a good thing as it gives Mammoth Storm the chance to experiment with their sound. Layers of noise and psych rock collide with Daniel’s commanding vocals as the song reaches a thrilling climax.

The final two songs – Horns Of Jura and Hekla – offer 24 minutes of action packed progressive doom metal though Horns Of Jura does see the band try their hand at creating Ambient based noises which makes for an intriguing listen. Horns Of Jura does take some time to finally get going as the band take their time unleashing the heavier riffs but it’s all worth it when they finally appear. The final song – Hekla – is perhaps the best song on the album as Mammoth Storm do just that – unleashing a Mammoth Storm of heavy riffs over an epic progressive groove. It starts very slowly but beware; the mood becomes heavier as Mammoth Storm end the album to its natural conclusion.

One of the strengths of Fornjot is the lyrics as Mammoth Storm have written fantastic lyrics throughout and ones that give actual power to the music. Though I know most people will be here for the heavy riffs. You won’t be disappointed on that score either. Fornjot is a stunning debut album on all levels. Check this out as you won’t be disappointed.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Mona at Napalm Records for the promo. Fornjot will be available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl from 6th November 2015 via Napalm Records.

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp