DARK TRANQUILLITY
“ATOMA”
Album Review By Chris Palmer
8.5/10
Dark Tranquillity is a five-piece band from Gothenburg, Sweden. The band, consisting of Mikael Stanne [Vocals], Niklas Sundin [Guitar], Martin Henriksson [Guitar], Martin Brändström [Keyboards/Programming], and Anders Jivarp [Drums] was formed in 1991. Together with fellow Swedes, In Flames, Dark Tranquillity are considered to be one of the pioneers of the Melodic Death Metal scene from Gothenburg.
The quintet released their debut full-length album, “Skydancer”, in 1993 and has subsequently released a further nine albums and countless EPs, live albums and compilations since. Last year saw the release of Dark Tranquillity’s eleventh studio album, “Atoma”.
I can honestly say that I’ve been a fan of Dark Tranquillity ever since I first heard the “Fiction” album which was released in 2007. Since then, I have managed to collect the band’s entire studio album discography and was excited to hear that they released album number eleven back in November 2016.
“Atoma” was released via Century Media and has a total running time of 49 minutes and 42 seconds which is divided between 12 tracks. The band launch straight for the jugular right off the bat with opening number, “Encircled”, as a barrage of heavy riffs, bass lines, drums, and vocals hit you in that familiar style of Dark Tranquillity. With the band’s signature sound being completed by the addition of melodic keyboards, which have always added another element to their music, this is a perfect start to the album.
Swiftly following is the excellent title track, “Atoma”, with its fast paced rhythm and pummelling riffs that beg you to headbang. The vocals are both melodic and aggressive, suiting the heavy instruments well. The momentum continues into the aptly titled “Forward Momentum” and “Neutrality”, before “Force Of Hand” pounds you into the ground with its heavy rhythmic riffs and excellent guitar-play. By this point your neck muscles ache with the continuous bouts of headbanging, yet there’s no respite as the band ploughs through “Faithless By Default”, which ends the first half of the album in fine style amidst another terrific rhythm and well-timed changes in tempo.
“The Pitiless” opens the second half with an onslaught of heavy riffs and pummelling drums. The pace is relentless and the vocals full of aggression as they’re spat forth in that familiar style as this track storms by in what feels like a matter of seconds. “Our Proof Of Life” swiftly follows at a slightly slower pace, yet with faster and heavy moments as well as good melodies in places. Both “Clearing Skies” and “When The World Screams” blast past with a flurry of impressive guitar-play, heavy bass lines, and pummelling drums, leading you into penultimate number “Merciless Fate”. Containing an excellent rhythm, this track changes tempo in places to good effect as it rolls along its length. The album closes with the impressive and memorable “Caves And Embers”.
To be both fair and honest, “Atoma” is an album that continues the signature sound of Dark Tranquillity. However, even after listening to the album several times, I found it extremely difficult to choose a standout track because they all sound similar in nature. Don’t take this as a bad thing though, as “Atoma” is a cracking album and an essential purchase for any Dark Tranquillity fan. For those of you who are new to the band and/or the Gothenburg Melodic Death Metal scene, then this is a perfect place to start.
TRACKLIST
Encircled
Atoma
Forward Momentum
Neutrality
Force Of Hand
Faithless By Default
The Pitiless
Our Proof Of Life
Clearing Skies
When The World Screams
Merciless Fate
Caves And Embers
http://www.darktranquillity.com
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