Hailing from the UK underground comes the black metal occultists Atavistic Passage. Their presence is powerful and punishing. Their two ritual demonstrations are powerful mastery over black metal. Noisy, crushing and cold, its a masterful display of the sound. Both of the releases stand on their own, but when listen to back to back, it feels like a much more complete experience, even though they’re written a year apart.
Demonstration One (2024)
A harsh thunderstorm greets you as fitting for such a mystic release. Rolling thunder turns into a screeching wall of harsh guitars and punchy drums as the second ritual has begun. Sorrowful and punishing vocals screech over the noise, echoing through the guitars and drums. There’s plenty of atmosphere here from the hard hitting riffs and haunting fantasy synths, but also the rough and cold production that gives it that raw and ancient vibe. A forgotten echo of the past perhaps, but a strong start. The third ritual slows it down, taking in the atmosphere and drawing out the riffs longer. It’s much more melancholic and sort of leans into that trendy sound that was wandering around at the time like a pale swordsman through the night (ugh…). Its not bad, but the start was much stronger than the finish. The final ritual draws this demonstration to a close with a noisy and ambient passage. A perfect meditation of what sort of occult and ritualistic acts had just occurred sonically. But a strong start for Atavistic Passage and a great exercise on their skill.
Demonstration Two (2025)
Wailing guitars lament to the listener as a greeting on the second ritual. The Life Had Vanished From Their Eyes Like a Wreath of Mist, is a powerful name for an introduction, and it is, as Ecstatic Power leans into what made their presence strong on their first release and that was fast unrelenting black metal. They’re much stronger and more familiar and in their element. An honest upgrade from the first. Unrelenting riffs, viscous vocals, punishing and chaotic drums and a raw and necrotic production that fuels their presence even more. There are little gimmicks on this release. Simply raw black metal done correctly. Thankfully the second half is just as strong, as the mid paced Physical Manifestations of Spite comes stomping through, bringing hateful riffs and mournful synths. The echoes of ghostly screeching is heard behind the harsh wall of noise formed by the guitars, but its punishment is so satisfying to listen to. It’s a modern classic. Another meditative ending with the finishing track Every Bond is a Bond to Sorrow. Another contemplative meditation of ritualistic sonic chaos.
Atavistic Passage has proven their worth and cemented their presence in the underground as those not to be looked over. These two demos have a unique and fresh sound that still captures that raw presence in black metal that is undying and true. They keep it alive and I am eagerly awaiting to hear a full release by these black metal occultists.