[Record Special] Ultha

Yes, we knew about it. Yes, we had heard the tunes and listened to the record before. Yes, we fell once again in love with this version of Ultha. An enigma in and of itself in all their glorious openness and clarity. The guys have once again pushed themselves into new waters and gave us a new version of Ultha, one distinctly Ultha and one that is also distinctly different.

But you could have known something about this new record as well - that it would be very different from Ultha’s previous works. When Belong was the Pink Floyd version and All That Has Never Been True was the Doors element then this record is showcasing their Deftones meets Nine Inch Nails facet. It becomes obvious even before listening to the music, but we will touch upon that in the interview beneath - and becomes even more audible when listening to the highly atmospheric opener “The Unseen World” - I can hardly imagine a first track in 2026 to be denser and filled to the brim; it even reminds me somewhat of their touring brothers Yellow Eyes. By and by the record reveals its core influences - Industrial Metal and Shoegaze and their fellow predecessor Post-Punk. However, please do not imagine this record to be any form of emulation - that was never the Ultha way: A Light So Dim is more of an amalgamum of all of that - all these influences are taken in and combined to create one of the best records of 2026.

Heck, what a year! And there is even one creative line one might draw from Converge and Neurosis to Ultha. All three bands showcase their roots and their influences but do not care about any expectation at all. They build new sonic castles on the solid foundations they are known for but allow themselves to create battlements and forts that are as far away as possible.

Or would you ever have envisioned a real opera performance (even if it’s only a sample) on an Ultha record? Take “What’s Yours is Yours to Carry”. Or a track that is as close to Punk as Ultha has never been? Take “Hex Upon Our Heads”. A Tribal track which is as hypnotic as any old Psychedelic classic by Killing Joke? Take “Sister Faith & Sister Chance”. An intro that reminds yours truly of Psycho? Take “Pink Lights Soiling to Copper”.

The only track one might have envisioned is the piano-driven Deftones-adoration called “Cherry Knots (The Sun Shines Through Void)” - but even that one has a back story that showcases the abiities to weave life and catharsis into a track that should not be overlooked in this new opus magnum by one of our favorite bands ever.

Band? Well, maybe collective is nowadays a better term. Why? Well, find out while watching this video with band leader Ralph (his third with us, pushing him into Desmond and Robinson realms!) - and as usual interviews with Ralph are long ones, so take your time and relax and enjoy!

Links
Shirts of the Day: The Replacements , Terzij de Horde

Plugs of the Day: Fågelle , Dry Wedding

Our interviews with Ralph on Ropes of Night and for the last Ultha surprise as well as our interview with Yellow Eyes. Our reviews of Belong and All That Has Never Been True.

Ultha: Website , Bandcamp , YouTube , Facebook , Instagram

Vendetta Records: Website , Bandcamp , Instagram , Facebook

You can still see Ultha with Yellow Eyes on tour in Europe on these remaining dates when this special comes out:

April 6 - Luxembourg - MK Bar
April 7 - Innsbruck, AT - PMK
April 8 - Vienna, AT - Arena
April 9 - Prague, CZ - Subzero
April 10 - Berlin, DE - Neue Zukunft (Vendetta Festival)
April 11 - Hamburg, DE - MS Stubnitz
April 14 - Copenhagen, DK - Beta 2300 (Yellow Eyes only)
April 17 - Tilburg, NE @Roadburn Festival (Yellow Eyes only)

You can order the record from Ultha’s BC or from from Vendetta Records and now you let’s dive deeper into A Light So Dim with Ralph!