Through The Hollow Raven's Eyes
Atavistia
•
December 10, 2019
It was Mark Twain who once said "we simply take a lot of old ideas and put them into a sort of mental kaleidoscope. We give them a turn and they make new and curious combinations... they are the same old pieces of colored glass that have been in use through all the ages." Whilst there have been more blatant examples in history, such as George Harrison's "My Sweet Lord" in reference the THE CHIFFONS' "He's So Fine," and more extant obscurities such as SUBLIME'S "What I Got" vs. THE BEATLES' "Lady Madonna"-which I still don't understand-music has shown that there exists few ideas that are wholly original.
The single is just that, a single track, which itself is a clear follow up to its predecessor "One Within The Sun." Some wind chimes ring out in quick succession before the band blasts in with guitar, synth, and drums blaring in unison. The verses follow similar construction just with the addition of vocals, and whilst there are the added rhythmic digressions the tone and delivery remain unchanged. Just as its predecessors, the song is rooted in the triumphant clause of Power Metal, which is a theme that permeates every inch of the track. The breaks and refrains add character and diversity to the song, though the theme goes largely unchanged do to the shortness of theses wisps.
The guitars are themselves expertly recorded in precision and accuracy with no accidental anywhere to be heard, the tone is a bit thin but powerful as well; the bass isn't very clearly defined with it being difficult to discern even with a bass boosted equalizer; the drums are relentless and recorded in perfection; the vocals are exacting and efficient, shrill but not too overpowering; the strings and synths are auxiliaries to the heavier elements.
ATAVISITIA has managed a successor to their debut, at least in part, as the single rings true as a continuation of "One Within The Sun." The band as a whole exists as an oddity, not wholly itself, yet not a copy of another entity either, for some that warrants hate and detest, for others admiration at their ability to craft such a grand soundscape, and whilst public opinion is divided the music is itself, objectively speaking, well constructed and well recorded.
9 / 10
Almost Perfect
Songwriting
Musicianship
Memorability
Production
"Through The Hollow Raven's Eyes" Track-listing:
1. Through The Hollow Raven's Eyes
Atavistia Lineup:
Matt Sippola-All instruments and Vocals
D'wayne Murray-Bass
Dalton Meaden-Guitars
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