Atropine
Astraya

From Bandcamp, "Atropine" is not just a collection of songs, but a conceptual journey through fate, time, and human fragility. The title track has a deeply mystical atmosphere, exploring the very moment of death and the idea that one's fate may already be predetermined. This underlying theme runs throughout the entire record. "A Theory of Time" approaches our existence from a more scientific and philosophical perspective, analyzing the nature of being and our place within the greater structure of time. At the same time, the album reflects on humanity and its failings. Amid the album's pervasive melancholy, our first single, "A Spark Within" stands out as a small but powerful glimmer of hope. The vocals are classically influenced, while the music weaves together many elements of dark rock, as well as metal, doom. Through its dark sound, the music reinforces and amplifies the themes expressed in the lyrics."
The album has ten songs, and "A Spark Within" is first. The sound is somber, with darkness and shadows throughout, and clean vocals. It begins to climb, as the sound swells, and just when it reaches the peak, it fades. "Lighthouse" features meaty bass notes to go along with the picture of melancholy. At times, the vocals sound defeated, but other times they rise up for a fight. "A Theory of Time" is a slow mover, and the extra time is given to the listener so that they can really contemplate the numbing sound. For me, it's akin to a month straight of grey skies and light rain. After a week of them, you begin to dread each succession of days. "Descendant of a Dead Man" is a faster mover, and it sounds like someone is chasing you in the night. No matter how fast you run, they keep gaining ground. "Vallet of the Damned part I" is a short, two-minute song filled with fat keyboard notes, a hardened riff, and vocals that feel alive.
"In the Pale Glow of Torches" is another terribly somber song, and that faint glow is pale indeed. Suddenly, it's like they flipped a switch, and the song goes from despair to anger and even rage. "Valley of the Damned part II" opens with a palate of clean guitars and the vocals are once again quite depressive. "I am buried, under heavy boulders" she says, and that's a key lyric to the sound they present. The title track is the final song. Some of the emotional weight of previous songs isn't as pronounced here, but it still feels grey. This album's sound is pretty uncommon. At its core, it is deeply somber, some might even tinge it as Doomy. There is a heavy feeling to it, and the weight is always threatening to overrun you.
5 / 10
Mediocre
Songwriting
Musicianship
Memorability
Production
"Atropine" Track-listing:
1. A Spark Within
2. Lighthouse
3. In Devotion
4. A Theory of Time
5. Descendant of a Dead Man
6. Valley of the Damned part I
7. In the Pale Glow of Torches
8. Arrival
9. Valley of the Damned part II
10. Atropine
Astraya Lineup:
Benny Gölz – Guitar
Klaus Wintermayr – Drums
Melina Abele – Vocals
Tim Suske – Guitar
Tobias Hänsel – Bass
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