Style: melodic death metal, melodic black metal (mixed vocals)
Recommended for fans of: Wintersun, Brymir, Inferi, Æther Realm
Country: Canada
Release date: 19 July 2024
Just over a year ago, I had the pleasure of reviewing Atavistia’s album Cosmic Warfare, and I heaped on joke after joke about how these guys are trying to fund their next sauna with how closely they followed in the footsteps of Wintersun; in the end, I made the bold claim that Cosmic Warfare was better than Time II could hope to be if only because it existed. But Wintersun somehow have an actual release date in a month’s time for the damn thing (only twelve years late, but who’s counting?), and pretty soon we’ll see if my audacious jesting will hold up. That Atavistia need to step out of the Finns’ shadow a bit more to make a name for themselves with an imminent Time II, though, is clear.
Still melodeath/black and still freaking epic, Atavistia have decided to focus on their extreme influences this time around, crafting an all together heftier affair on EP Inane Ducam. After the kitschy dungeon synth intro of “Inane Ducam,” blast beats rip through the speaker as “Timeless Despair” unfurls in a bombastic manner, immediately the band’s heaviest material to date. Atavistia still achieve their wintry-cum-spacey aesthetic but now darker, similar to Inferi’s magnum opus Revenant with Atavistia’s own Mattias Sippola’s harsh vocals growing a lot in skill and range, his booming growls beastly in choruses and the Sam Schneider-esque (Inferi) shrieks in verses still fierce and biting. His lyrics are also plain fun, a cheesy fantasy/sci-fi mix that are nothing if not epic: “In the darkest depths of cosmic space / A supernova’s core ignites the blaze / Ecstatic fire, radiant and fierce / I feel the power that which shall / Pierce me.” They’re silly, but that’s a strength in this style—you can’t take yourself too seriously and pull off something this unabashedly badass and entertaining. Inane Ducam is not the deepest nor most rewarding musical experience you’ll have this year, but it’s so easy to spin on repeat and certainly doesn’t depreciate in value.
Handled by the maestro Jens Bogren, the mastering on the project is its biggest drawback. By emphasizing the heavier side of the band, the blasting drums and guitar chugs drown out the ornamented layers of keyboards and synthestra, lessening the overall effect of both the most triumphant and more subtle parts of Atavistia’s sound. In chasing the more extreme aesthetic, I also miss the humongous clean choruses which are used far more sparingly this time around, and the reliance on chuggier riffs—including a legitimate breakdown in “Timeless Despair”—loses the intricacy that the band are capable of composing with.
Thankfully, the compositions are still grand and sweeping, usually climaxing with solos that are as melodic and light as before. The solos and guitar leads truly should be utilized more because they’re the highlight every time, particularly in “Unattained Creation” whose second half is comprised of increasingly shreddy solos. These sections don’t sacrifice the heaviness but are a better mixture of the new sound and the melodicism of previous releases. Every band member is incredibly skilled, yet they’re depressingly drowned out by the drums.
I am ecstatic that Atavistia are seeking to expand their sound, the mix of Wintersun and Inferi refreshingly new. Though still with ample room to grow, Atavistia are making the right moves to change up the formula and stay relevant with new Wintersun just on the horizon. I hope they continue to refine this new style on their next LP because it will take them to new heights; it was time ii grow for Atavistia, and they’re showing they’ll rise to the occasion.
Recommended tracks: Timeless Despair, Unattained Creation
You may also like: Suotana, Xanthochroid
Final verdict: 7.5/10
Related links: Bandcamp | Spotify | Official Website | Facebook | Instagram | Metal-Archives page
Label: Blood Blast Distribution – Facebook | Official Website
Atavistia is:
Mattias Sippola – Vocals & Guitar
Maximilian Sepulveda -Drums
Elia Baghbaniyan – Guitar
Spencer Budworth – Bass & Vocals
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