From their website, “With a new lineup and a new vision, Fernando leads the composing process of new album titled ¨Somber,¨ combining sounds from Black and Death Metal to Progressive and Heavy syncopated grooves. Pushing the boundaries of the instrumentation by bringing the tuning down to low earth-shattering frequencies, all topped with demented-sounding low growl vocals, plus the heavy ambience and clean sections that became ATER´s signature with the first album ¨EGS.”

“Striges” is the first cut. It’s a very heavy and accented sound…Djent meets Death Metal? You bet, why not. “Descending” hears the punishing Djent accents continue in the guitar work, as well as the Death Metal vocals. They also use some background ambiance to push a dissonant sound, as well as a frightening sound. The title track sounds like its moniker…somber, hopeless, and deadly, and I love the groove they establish with the guitar work. Listen to the cadence, it shows the band’s Progressive side as well as their high level of musicianship.

“Through the Portal” is another cumbersome sound with accents so massive, they sound like meteors dropping from the sky. The bass also picks up the groove at one point, and it sounds even deeper and nastier. “Ignis Immortalis” is the official video from the album, and they couldn’t have chosen a better song to represent the album. The weighted riffs hit hard, like concrete, followed by hasty drumming, harsh vocals, and an eerie set of guitar leads occupying the background. “Shrine” is another deep grind where the burden of the heavy riffs begins to settle into your mind, clouding your outlook on life. The lead guitar work and bass work are especially strong in this song.

“Sæculi Fine” has tones that seem magically bent so low that they almost fall off into the abyss. As the band draws out some of the notes, they resonate like a pounding headache in your mind. “Solitude” closes the album. It’s a short but powerful track with a lot of ambiance. I have to say, this album was fantastic. The cross between Death Metal and Progressive, groovy Djent is a combination that I haven’t heard this year. The band exudes confidence as well, and place the listener in the eye of the hurricane, where the winds whip you into a frenzy of blistering notes and eerie backing qualities.