Exploratory Supernatural Cat label, operated by members of Ufomammut and the Malleus Rock Art Lab collective, welcomes fellow Italians GOTHO, for the November release of their second album, Gothron Versus Fartark.
GOTHO is an instrumental duo formed in the Summer of 2020 by Fabio Cuomo (Elder, Eremite, Liquido Di Morte) on synthesizers and electric piano and Andrea Peracchia (Tons, Dogs For Breakfast, Slaiver) on drums. The band became instantly recognizable for their ability to explore an incredibly wide range of musical genres, defying any attempt at categorization.
GOTHO’s first public appearance was on YouTube, with a live studio video of the track “Gatta De Blanc,” a twenty-five-minute piece that immediately showcases the band’s unique style: a fusion of synthesizers, electric piano, and drums, with no pre-recorded tracks, loops, or overdubs. In this track, the band weaves together elements of progressive rock, metal, jazz, disco music, psychedelia, post-rock, and classical music, demonstrating a remarkable ability to navigate through various sonic realms. This versatility has been reflected in the numerous concerts they’ve performed across Italy, receiving widespread acclaim from critics and audiences alike. In 2022, “Gatta De Blanc” was included on GOTHO’s debut album, MindBowling, released under the Controcanti Produzioni label and later distributed by Black Widow Records. The album was met with critical praise, highlighting the band’s ability to craft immersive and innovative sonic experiences.
GOTHO now arrives with their second album, Gothron Versus Fartark, which further pushes the boundaries of the duo’s creativity, taking them into new, imaginative, and experimental sonic territories. Set in a sci-fi context, the album narrates an epic battle between two robotic entities, Gothron and Fartark, fighting for the survival of their respective worlds and control of the Logtark world. Through a series of trials and challenges, Gothron, the saga’s protagonist, ultimately defeats Fartark, preventing the destruction of the universe.
The album’s lead single is delivered through an art video created by Malleus. The band reveals, “As the world-devouring Fartark prepares to extinguish the light of the universe, the mysterious Logtark people create Gothron, a gigantic robot upon which the fate of the entire cosmos depends. The opening track of the record, ‘Gothron Ars, Gothron Ars Eem,’ begins with an intense unison section, setting a powerful foundation. On top of this, an epic and cosmic theme emerges, evoking the vastness of space. The piece evolves, with the main theme being broken down and rebuilt through passages of metal, psychedelia, and progressive rock. This dynamic track serves as a bold introduction, establishing the ambitious tone of the album.”
Witness the origin of the epic battle chronicled in GOTHO’s Gothron Versus Fartark, with the “Gothron Ars, Gothron Ars Eem (Gothron Rise, Gothron Rise Now!)” art video HERE:
Musically, the album stands out for its use of synthesizers, electric piano, trumpet, drums, and featuring prominent use of the vocoder, masterfully woven together to create an immersive, cinematic soundscape. Spanning wide range of genres, including progressive rock, metal, jazz, disco, psychedelia, post-rock, and classical music, making it impossible to categorize within a single genre, Gothron Versus Fartark is a unique musical experience that defies conventions and pushes the boundaries of sonic storytelling.
Gothron Versus Fartarkwas recorded by Danilo Battocchio at El Fish Studio, mixed by Danilo Battocchio at Deepest Sea Studio (Hierophant, Tons, Tutti), mastered by Brad Boatright at Audiosiege (Obituary, Nails, The Armed), and completed with cover art by Malleus Rock Art Lab.
With a purely instrumental approach and increasingly intricate musical storytelling, GOTHO continues to push beyond genre boundaries, establishing themselves as one of the most original and visionary acts on the contemporary scene. Fans of psychedelic and cinematic artists Zombi, Goblin, Fabio Frizzi, Genghis Tron, John Carpenter, Lightning Bolt, Vangelis, Riz Ortoloni, Yes, and Zu should not miss GOTHO!
Supernatural Cat will release Gothron Versus Fartark on LP, CD, and digital platforms on November 15th. Find preorders at the label webshop HERE and Bandcamp HERE.