Review Summary: Raw Thrash Metal.
The term “elite” in reference to music can often denote bands that are extremely underground yet awesome, or, individual listeners who live and breathe these bands;
Attomica are one such band. The obscurities within their first self titled LP release are found in how inaccessible the production is. In fact when played at very high volumes, “Attomica” at first can actually hurt the ears due to the treble levels being so distinct; bringing to mind the notable production on Ulver’s “Nattens Madrigal” but this is much more bearable. If you actually play this at about 80% volume potential you’ll be just fine. After several listens once your ears have grown accustomed to the treble levels you’ll begin to enjoy this much more, in fact, if you were to listen to
Attomica’s next two LP’s you’d find that the production feels flat and doesn’t pack the same punch as what their self titled offers; even though at first the listen may be challenging.
After these important things have been considered a world of thrash madness will be opened up to you. Starting how any thrash album should, “Attomica” rips right into action with smashing blast beats and tremolo tech fists. “Dying Smashed” is the perfect opener as it showcases a foretelling of future events. The aggressive natures and forceful production acts like a runner during a race who is well warmed up and holding his sprint for when the race really matters; not that
Attomica’s holding back is anything less than the best thrash you’ve ever heard. The dual attack of guitarist Pyda Rod and drummer Paulo Giolo are the foundation of “Attomica”. Their speeds always match perfectly and they play at a much more technical level then your typical thrash bands; think more Kreator’s “Pleasure to Kill” rather than Metallica’s “Kill ‘em All”. The riffs here are just too fast and punishing to think anything less of them. The vocal attack of Luciano Peru is very tasty, much like Chuck Schuldner’s of “Death” but a little raspier though. In “Marching Over Blood” which is a relentless song of thrash goodness, Luciano can be heard chanting “Crush them All” over some pounding thrash riffs; clearly indicating lyrical themes of war and destruction. There’s a nice level of reverb on his vocals which allow them to sit quite nicely in the mix besides the higher treble levels of the instruments. Original and current bass band member, Andre Rod, doesn’t have much of presence since he follows the guitar suite most of the time but his lines are still audible but get kind of flushed out by the other instrument’s treble levels.
Although intense and aggressive,
Attomica knows how to switch it up just enough to keep you interested. For instance “Lost Time” starts with about a minutes length of classical music before ripping into pounding riffs, and “No Life Till Madness” starts with a heavy yet groovy riff line that feels like jazz music. Fortunately these Brazilian thrashers keep the fusions to a minimum since their main expertise is straight up thrash metal. As mentioned before their raw appearance of production is an acquired taste but this is the closest many will get to the live feel these guys must portray. When looking over live show pictures, you’ll usually see a bunch of hair everywhere and obscure poses since being still in thrash is unheard of. You may actually feel like you there when aggression turns to groove, which then turns to passion. And the passion here is your stereotypical passion of ooh I created a cool riff now I’m cool. No, this is unadulterated pure thrash metal that perfectly represents what thrash is all about, which is to go through life conquering and not caring what anyone thinks; in pursuit of freedom.
