Release
date: June
19th
2020.
Label: Candlelight
Records.
Format: CD/DD/Vinyl
III:
Absolution
– Tracklisting
1.Loss
16:30
2.Struggle
14:22
3.Self-Realisation
09:38
4.Absolution
17:42
Members
Chris
Naughton
Shane
Ryan
Callum
Cox
Review
Atavist
new album III: Absolution came as a mighty surprise for myself. As I
didn’t know that the band had reformed or they were releasing their
first new album in almost 13 years. I was a huge fan of these guys
back in the day and their highly evolved and progressive sound that
had elements of Sludge Metal, Doom Metal, Post Metal and Death Metal
that all combined for a deeply unforgiving and punishing sonic based
experience.
III:
Absolution sees Atavist return with a more world-weary and
experimental sound compared to their past works but still capturing
what made this band such a force to be reckoned with originally.
Atavist play a more progressive style of Death/Doom Metal on this
album that reminds me of YOB and Pallbearer in places. The band have
added a bleaker and cinematic groove to their music and there’s
some fantastic instrumental work throughout the album.
Atavist
have written 4 songs for this album and they’re quite long in
length ranging from 9 mins and 18 minutes in length. This allows
Atavist to explore new things on this record and they play some
punishing Death/Doom Metal riffs on the majority of the album.
Atavist features Chris Naughton on Winterfylleth fame but this is a
very different beast compared to that great band.
The
Post-Black Metal atmosphere of the album is perhaps the main strength
of this record. As the harsh vocals and guitars are built on that
solid foundation that allows III: Absolution to be full of many
gloomy moments with impressive songwriting and vocals to match. The
album can be considered as on 1 epic song split into individual
chapters with the opening song Loss and final song Absolution being
the standout parts of the album. Though the other two songs Struggle
and Self-Realisation being great songs as well.
I
felt emotionally connected more to Loss and Absolution. As they have
the heaviest riffs and perhaps the boldest ideas on the album. The
Post-Metal sounds are Atavist through and through with the
challenging style of music maybe too depressing for some to enjoy at
first. The album despite it’s dark lyrical content and bleak sounds
does offer it’s fair share of uplifting moments when the more
commanding Ambient and Post-Rock vibes take a more commanding lead
which left me wanting to hear more.
III:
Absolution is a masterclass of Extreme Metal and Atavist may have
released their most defining work to date.
Words by Steve Howe
Words by Steve Howe
Thanks
to Lisa at Hold Tight PR for
the promo. III:
Absolution is available to buy now on CD/DD/Vinyl via Candlelight Records.
Links:
