Following "Miasma" (February 2020) and the chaos afterwards OvO felt the need of an album that would be different from the others, that would have new elements, some of which might be refined in the future, but also the need to continue the discourse that began with "Miasma". Infact, if on one hand the band continues to evolve as it has always done over its career of more than twenty years on the other hand the "Miasma" Tour was greatly compromised by the fact that the album came out right after the start of the pandemic leaving the band with the desire to continue performing those songs during the next tour. The new album will contain only two tracks both lasting over twenty minutes. In this sense the album could be described as doom or sludge but with OvO nothing is ever that simple.
The electronic elements that have been present over recent years are still there and play important roles in both pieces. Above all however the lyrics are composed of complete sentences in Italian, a thing which rarely happened in the past. Stefania Pedretti took her inspiration from science fiction and horror classics (Lovecraft, Dick, Bradbury, Butler, Barker, Mary Shelley, Stoker, Poe, Bierce...) bringing out the more esoteric side. The musical language dilates (and for this reason this album will most likely remain unique in OvO's discography) whereas the lyrical side is enriched with explicit meaning compared to the past where the lyrics where left up to interpretation.
At the end of 2021 OvO were forced to take a break due to serious health problems with Stefania but now they are ready to go back on tour in 2022 promoting "Miasma" again in the Spring and then the new album in the Fall, released again through ARTOFFACT RECORDS.
Extra Life was formed in 2007 as the main vehicle for New York-based composer/vocalist/guitarist, Charlie Looker. The band plays a highly unusual synthesis of dark pop, math/prog rock, metal, modern classical, and ancient liturgical music. Looker was a founding member of NY noise-chamber outfit ZS, and has been a prolific collaborator across the experimental music scene, with credits including Dirty Projectors, Xiu Xiu, John Zorn, Lingua Ignota, Tyondai Braxton, and Amanda Palmer.
Extra Life's debut full-length Secular Works was released in 2008 on Planaria Records/LOAF Recordings to critical acclaim. The band toured the U.S. and Europe, with appearances at festivals including Primavera Sound (Spain), Villette Sonique (FR), Bad Bonn (CH), and Moers (DE). This was followed by the sophomore album Made Flesh (LOAF Recordings 2010), and the EP Ripped Heart (Last Things 2011), which featured a more accessible, indie-friendly sound. More international touring followed, which saw the band sharing bills with heavy weights including Sonic Youth, Ariel Pink, Deerhoof, Owen Pallett, and Chelsea Wolfe. In 2012, Extra Life's third full-length, Dream Seeds, was released by Northern Spy Records, foregrounding the band's atmospheric, darkwave side. U.S. and EU tours included spots at Impetus Festival (Switzerland) and Discorporate Festival (Germany). Looker disbanded Extra Life in 2013, to focus on his work as a classical composer, and on his industrial metal band, Psalm Zero.
After a nine year hiatus, Looker reunited Extra Life in 2022, with a new line-up including Toby Driver (Kayo Dot). They released Secular Works, Vol. 2. on Looker's own label, Last Things, which garnered praise internationally. In 2023, the band did a month-long tour of the EU and UK, and in 2024, they will return to EU for another month, including a slot at A Colossal Weekend festival (Copenhagen).
