Rating:
8.6
Atoma - Skylight
4 March 2012


01. Atoma
02. Skylight
03. Hole In The Sky
04. Highway
05. Bermuda Riviera
06. Resonance
07. Solaris
08. Rainmen
09. Saturn & I
10. Cloud Nine


We're all still alive it seems. There was no apocalypse for us as 2012 came to a close but the year did treat us with a premeditated glimpse of how things may have turned out in its aftermath with this compelling piece of post metal by Atoma.

Eight years ago the band Slumber produced an album of melodic doom entitled Fallout, it being their only full length release. It is truly sorrowful in its musical expression of humanity in its death throes. From such an end emerges a new beginning; forming from the remnants of Slumber are Atoma gracing us with this debut effort which they label as "post-apocalyptic" metal.

Residual elements of Slumber's uniquely spacey atmosphere are used to their fullest capacity on Skylight as they emanate from the electronically enhanced melodies. There is a resemblance in the guitar work as Jari Lindholm, previously of Slumber, carries on among the trio of guitarists who weave their melodic magic through the densely layered atmosphere. Some tracks express this electronic array more earnestly, such as "Bermuda Riviera", "Solaris" and "Cloud Nine", whereas others like "Hole In The Sky" follow a more determined rhythmic pattern in which the post rock/metal guitar lines are more formative.

The album is characterised by simple yet impressively climactic drum patterns which emerge from and into thoroughly immersive ambient passages. The vocal work is wonderfully diverse as it fills the atmospherically spatial void whether it is those of keyboardist Ehsan Kalantarpour, guitarist Christian Alvestam or those placed within the well conceived backing orchestrations. The title track for instance bears the inclusion of harsh to clean vocals which are highly emotive and enable the riffs and electronic patterns to strike out in spectacular fashion like an aged star's final burst of light.

The way many tracks merge together to form a composite whole enhances the general atmosphere, though those after some more solidified metal will have to traverse this post-apocalyptic environment in search of it. Initially though you won't have to traverse very far as the metal is more prevalent of the first half of the album, which also grants something more to the replay value of the earlier tracks as opposed to the latter which may seem to drag in comparison in its tendency for a thicker saturation of electronic ambient elements.

However, once you've witnessed the awe inspiring imagery this album conjures up it's likely you'll never want to leave.

Performance: 9
Songwriting: 9
Originality: 9
Production: 9


Band profile: Atoma
Album: Skylight


 


written by R'Vannith | 04.01.2013



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Ap46 - 04.01.2013 at 05:00  
Loved the review. This one along Be'lakor's Of Breath And Bone are my 2012 favs. Just amazing and chills-inducing album!.
DelightfulJim - 04.01.2013 at 05:41  
Great review. Easily one of my favourites of 2012!
Unhealer - 04.01.2013 at 06:27  
Oh right, this thing everybody likes.
Post-apocalyptic? I like almost everything that is post-apocalyptic, so consider me in for a try.
SyntheticBreed - 04.01.2013 at 07:17  
Christian isn't on this album btw.
Fredd - 04.01.2013 at 11:25  
I've only recently started to FUCKING LOVE this album.
BloodTears - 04.01.2013 at 12:38  
Definitely one of the best released this year in post and in general. A must-hear. You don't hear something as inspired as this everyday.
Dark†SymphonY - 04.01.2013 at 13:53  
One of my favourite albums of last year, can't wait for their next one.
R'Vannith - 04.01.2013 at 14:09  
Written by SyntheticBreed on 04.01.2013 at 07:17

Christian isn't on this album btw.


Holy hell, the vocals are done by the one guy, both growls and cleans!? Apparently you're right Christian isn't on this one, but he'll be joining them on their next album Nova. I wonder what effect having an additional vocalist will have on their sound. I found the vocals so varied I could have sworn there was at least two guys there. Ehsan has serious talent.
Kuroboshi - 04.01.2013 at 16:45  
This album's atmosphere is so amazing; you just "float". "Rainmen" is my favorite. Very good review. Looking forward to Nova with Christian.
SyntheticBreed - 04.01.2013 at 19:36  
Christian on the next album will not be doing many vocals. Cleans are done by Ehsan, Growls by either their bassist or guitarist like on Skylight. Christian is mainly doing guitars.
Justicelust - 04.01.2013 at 19:39  
My number one album of 2012
Pazdzioch - 04.01.2013 at 21:14  
Nice review! Post-metal AOTY and Resonance is album's highlight for me (that solo is just beautiful).
tea[m]ster - 04.01.2013 at 22:03  
Terrific review, very well-written. Top 10 AOTY for me. So different than anything else I listened to in 2012.
Hooman - 05.01.2013 at 02:37  
I really love this album, can't wait for Nova.
EMols86 - 05.01.2013 at 16:11  
Great review, man. Slumber made one excellent album (I only recently discovered it). Atoma isn't quite as great for me, but it's still great. Love the atmosphere.
PocketMetal - 06.01.2013 at 12:36  
Can't help being proud of Ehsan and Siavosh , this is probably the highest place Iranian metal musicians have ever been . gotta listen to this a few more times.

nice review !
MetalHOE - 08.01.2013 at 03:49  
Absolutely brutal album, out-of-this-world experience. I should have known even more epic albums are about to come after Wintersun...
Góral - 14.01.2013 at 21:32  
Written by Pazdzioch on 04.01.2013 at 21:14

Nice review! Post-metal AOTY and Resonance is album's highlight for me (that solo is just beautiful).

Right, after hearing this solo all other seems to be the average. Chills every time.
Pazdzioch - 14.01.2013 at 22:32  
Written by Góral on 14.01.2013 at 21:32

Right, after hearing this solo all other seems to be the average.

Dude you probably haven't heard about Lost Wisdom's solo on one string
Góral - 14.01.2013 at 22:43  
Written by Pazdzioch on 14.01.2013 at 22:32

Dude you probably haven't heard about Lost Wisdom's solo on one string

two strings! yes, best solo eeeeverrrrr xD

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