First off, I listed six band members in the credits for this release. Currently, there are five band members. I used RateYourMusic's information on this group, because their website, nor the promo I received, lists the members' names or instruments. This is a warning to include them. Please. Anyway, Atlas coined the term "Northcore" to describe their aesthetics and sound. They're from the northern capital of metal, Finland, so it perfectly suits their alternative metalcore attitudes. "Sunder" is the third installment of "Northcore," which, to my delight, encompasses djent and its atmospheric genre offspring, thall. Thall is a genre I've yet to fully understand, as its definition throws around music theory terms I've yet to learn. If someone lets me know what "rapid release bends" are, that'd be great.

I Googled it, and a rapid-release bend is simply bringing a bent guitar string back to its original pitch, resulting in a sharp, snapping sound. Atlas sure does that a lot, but the atmosphere they'll envelop you in may or may not distract you from such. "Sunder" hits like a pissed-off brick with zero remorse. Each seismic thall riff will pound your ears, in odd time signatures ("Anodyne") or not (literally any other song). It's quite overwhelming at times; the waves of distortion will take control over key members' instruments, but the album isn't one to be listened to with scrutiny. It's one to headbang to, without a care in the world. If you had any cares before starting this record, Atlas's LOUDness will surely dilapidate them into useless "thoughts." From the shivery opening sequence brought forth by the "Sermon of the Dying Light," to the four hundred thousand pummeling guitar chugs and hazy, Deftones-esque vocals from Patrik, to the ambience of the closing "Sunder," Atlas kept me constantly impressed.

Atlas seems to hesitate on when to overload on atmosphere versus having instrumentation lead. Immediate highlights like "Coven" are instrumentally forward, and don't rely so heavily on "Northcore's" waves of ambience. Some tracks benefit from it, like the seductive "Altar of Your Love," but I prefer the songs with the more straightforward approach. This isn't a huge gripe, as even the overwhelming parts seem to work. Scant influences of alt-pop can be heard in the slower songs with lighter singing, but the band embraces a heavier, yet still commercial side of metalcore. Like a less progressive "Friend of a Phantom" -era VOLA, if you will.

I'm pretty impressed with whatever "Northcore" is, and "Sunder" is a solid LP that neither overstays its welcome or fades too quickly. Atlas still needs to balance atmosphere and metal better, but I air-drummed and headbanged through it all with no issue.