Initially I was slightly dubious as recently most Polish Death/Black metal seems to have jumped on the success band wagon of Vader or Behemoth; but I was certainly wrong. Atropos have created their own sound and made them stand out from the clones which becomes really obvious on their EP: Inhabitant
Atropos are far from being a mediocre black metal band – for a start they genuinely seem to have passion when it comes to writing and playing. The tracks on this relatively short EP are packed with ferocious yet imaginative riffs and, hidden amongst the mix of black and death metal, there is a hint of thrash. In the midst of what sounds like it should have been rather chaotic, what with so many influences going on, Atropos then employ their unique use of melodies helping to combine everything together beautifully, ‘Inhabitant’ possessed a feeling of drama, made so by using understated elements from other black metal styles. Imagine Septic Flesh meeting Old Mans Child and you come close to getting what I’m trying to explain.
Over all *Inhabitant* has a first-class balance between unrefined underground heaviness and clear, precise perfection. It is a flawless match complimenting the atmosphere and the morose harmonies as well as the hammering onslaught. My complaint regarding this EP was the fact there was only two original songs: the other song is cover versions of the Vader song `Carnal’. In my opinion, I would have chosen to hear more of Atropos originality but *Atropos* did make ‘Carnal’ their own with gloomy yet melodic creativity they present in their own music.
As far as my opinion goes ‘Atropos’ surprises me that they haven’t been dragged out of their hiding hole particularly when I discovered they have several releases and have toured with some major name bands, Hate and Rotting Christ just to mention a couple ‘Atropos’ definably have a lot of talent and potential and with any luck 2012 will see join the rest of us. If you enjoy remarkable yet forceful, creative black/death metal I would without a doubt recommend giving this ‘Atropos’ a listen.
