Slomatics are a doom metal band from the UK and this is their eighth album.
Ever since hearing 2016’s amazing Future Echo Returns, I’ve been a huge fan of Slomatics, (also, if you haven’t already, check out Canyons and Strontium Fields, as well as these splits – here and here). Slomatics are one of the best doom bands around in my humble opinion, which means I’ve been really looking forward to Atomicult.
I mean, what’s not to like about Slomatics? You have sci-fi-themed progressive doom, with synths, buckets of riffs, and charismatic vocals. The review writes itself. This is sterling stuff.
Atomicult‘s average song length is on the shorter side for Slomatics, but that doesn’t mean they’ve neglected their immersive atmospheric side. Far from it, as Atomicult is steeped in feeling and absorbing soundscapes, I love how heavy Slomatics are, but I equally love how richly imbued with emotion everything is. Atomicult is awash with colour, balancing doom intensity with soaring bright singing and melody, while layering everything in expressive synths…it’s extremely good stuff, let me tell you.
The songs boast progressive depths and psychedelic workouts amidst crushing riffs that have mammoth personality. There are so many standout moments it’s ridiculous. As some examples – the first few seconds of Obey Capricorn, which herald a soon-to-be-classic album beginning. The explosion of synths a little while into in Auto-Skull, which never fails to make my brain sit up and pay attention. The understated beauty of Relics. The middle bit of Night Grief, which sounds like a portal back in time to a 70s progressive rock opera, underscored by a brooding doom heaviness that’s about to explode, and then does. Biclops has a reality-bending riff and a surreal atmosphere. There’s more too.
Atomicult really delivers the goods. Yes, I love Slomatics anyway, but this really is top tier stuff, even for them. Future Echo Returns remains the pinnacle of their discography for the moment, but Atomicult has a genuine chance of becoming their best record. Time will tell. Until then, make sure you hungrily devour Atomicult – it’s brilliant, it’s that simple.
Essential listening for any fan of progressive doom metal.
Wonderbox Metal 