A Polish, yet not polished, blackened death metal debut, this. The band originates from 2018, and first release was 'Genesis of Blasphemy' in 2020. Its three songs can be heard here, re-recorded. The band consists of more like fresh blood, even though there's some musical history with some of the members.

The album starts with an intro with weird synthesizer sounds and woman lamenting. It is very much distressing listening. The band's heavy, slowish blackened death metal really doesn't relieve the feeling of anguish. It is heavy in every element, basically. And while it is mostly mid-paced or slower, it isn't similar to Bolt Thrower, Celtic Frost or Gorefest; actually I am contented to tell that Atonement do not resemble any band I know. Not even when their music is quite simplistic and should remind of some bands!

The guitar offer power chords and faster tremolo riffing, that isn't icy-sharp in tone. Open-string playing intensifies the ominous atmosphere of music. The vocals are damn low, beary gutturals, and could be effected at times, meaning more than just added reverb. If they are organic, I have to congratulate the vocalist for owning that kind of massive growl. The bass guitar doesn't slavishly follow the guitar, but there's some neat melodious playing, like the guitar doing simplistic chords and the bass conjuring the tune. The beats are driving and not inanimate, even quite loose here and there. I never say no to double bass drum barrage (finely in display on 'Chalice of Misterious Whispers', for example).

The production is such that every element has its place in it. The general sound is thick, but not muddy at all, and heavily emphasized on bassy tone. The cover artwork does not look very good, mixing old woodcut technique and pen drawing, and looking a bit too cheap. The lyrics are not printed, and the voice isn't intelligible at all, so I am not going to comment on them.

Maybe one band is Christ Agony, to whose fans I can recommend this without fear of making myself clown. This is an effective old school death/black metal effort, even though there's not much in way of variety. Atonement are a good addition to Poland's already ace death metal scene.

Rating: 7+ (out of 10) ratings explained

Reviewed by Lane
02/19/2023 18:03