Atlas released new album Sunder on February 20 and it’s a modern metal masterpiece.
The atmospheric opening interlude of Sermon of the Dying Light was calming and in direct contrast to the first full song on the album – Tower – which is a brutal piece with some funky breakdowns.
I do love the hook in I Whisper Your Name Like a Curse, but it was pretty repetitive after a while, although it was delivered nice and melodically.
The mix of cleans and screams in Salt and Sulfur was done really well, as was the same for Coven of Two. The latter also has a nice boybandy harmony for the ‘ahs’ at the end.
I’m not sure what it is about Finnish vocalists but their voices are extremely seductive, particularly with Ville Valo of HIM fame, but Patrik Nuorteva’s vocals remind me of Valo’s and I love it. The similarity is particularly strong in Altar of Your Love.
The breakdowns are definitely the stand out moments throughout the album for me. Atlas really know how to write a great breakdown, I found myself headbanging along during them.
If you like melodic metal combined with heavy elements and cracking breakdowns, then Sunder by Atlas is definitely one for you.