Review: “Cosmic Warfare” by Atavistia

“This upcoming album portrays many emotions which have transpired over the past two and a half years. There are dark moments full of pure chaos and anger to moments of triumph and tranquility. I am very proud of how the album flows together.” ~ Mattias Sippola

Described by the band themselves as not being a concept album and yet a dark tale of being pulled into a black hole within which all of the songs relate to one another whether played in order or individually, “Cosmic Warfare” marks the third burnt offering from Vancouver, British Columbia Canada based Epic Melodic Death Metal act Atavista. What began as a bedroom project in circa 2016 evolved into a full band in 2018 when mastermind Mattias Sippola (who handles vocals, lyrics, guitars, engineering, writing, arrangements, post-production and mixing here) was joined by Dalton Meaden on guitar, D’wayne Murray on bass and Max Sepulveda on drums. Five years on, this album was then mastered by Tony Lindgren (Enslaved, Insomnium, Haken) at Fascination Street Studios, having taken inspiration from the majestic natural landscapes of their homeland, earthly seasons and ancient Norse culture…

…and while it maybe just six cuts, it spans the better part of 47 minutes of new music from a band known for being hugely ambitious. “Omega Nova” serves as a fittingly cinematic opening, worthy of a science fiction masterpiece from Ridley Scott before it bursts into flames with the album title track. The epic symphonic grandeur is soaked in blasting from Sepulveda before Sippola’s uncleans grip in a similar fashion to those from Nekrogoblikon throat splitter Nicky Calonne and a solo of pure fire rains down from the skies above. A masterpiece that sits on a knife edge, the perfect juxtaposition between lush epic beauty and the violently aggressive, “Cosmic Warfare” is a worthy title track, serving to take you on a mental journey through sonic soundscapes in both enthralling and captivating fashion. “Ethereal Wanderer” finds the band joined by Vincent Jones of Aether Realm fame with the feeling of being split into movements that are slickly transitioned between. Jones is well chosen as a guest as his clean vocals perfectly contrast the uncleans of Sippola while the ethereal elements swirl around them like an oncoming storm. Progressive Death Metal guitar work meanders a little rhythmically but never without intension or direction, the incendiary energy adding a pulsating quality as the band maintain the tempo of the damned throughout. Witness the destruction of planets, the never ending forests of a snow capped romance and feel the heat of the sun, it’s all here, wrapped in barbed riffs and cursed by a vicious tongue.

The first of three longer cuts to make up the second half of the album “Spectral Rebirth” finds Sippola show off some clean vocals of his own to offer a sixth dimension to an assault on the senses that already tickles the cerebral cortex from every direction. The solo melts in the mouth, the kit work is mind blowing and the bass lines pop while the orchestration is the darkest and yet sweetest of serenades. Cleverly constructed, a melodic break with acoustic guitars gives respite at the seven minute mark with hints at influence from bands like Wintersun before building back up for another epic conclusion. To have the vision to create something like this is one thing but the execution is quite another and it has to be said that Atavista have not only created their vision but surpassed it in every sense of the word. “Divine Destruction” is another rich and diverse symphony of destruction that catapults the listener through space and time with graceful melodies with brutal rhythmic prowess. Spoken word elements are tasteful additions, the build up of the vocal patterns as the flames of the music rise around them majestic and the riffs are skull crushing from an Obscura angle rather than a Lorna Shore one, which is an obvious comparison in terms of the sheer weight of the symphonics. Here’s the thing though. Just when you thought your mind couldn’t be more blown by what Atavista have to offer, they produce the longest cut of the record in “Forgotten Silence” and it’s like a fun fair for the neurons, protons and electrons of the brain. Painting in the most vibrant of colours the canvas is used to its full potential and in truth the band need a venue like the Sydney Opera House or the Royal Albert Hall as a fitting auditorium for their performances [9/10]

Track Listing

1. Omega Nova
2. Cosmic Warfare
3. Ethereal Wanderer (ft. Vincent Jones of Aether Realm)
4. Spectral Rebirth
5. Divine Destruction
6. Forgotten Silence

“Cosmic Warfare” by Atavistia is out 21st April 2023 and is available for pre-order over at bandcamp