ALBUM REVIEW: Ataraxia – Allt
Metalcore as a subgenre is one of the most divisive in the realm of alternative music. The true art in this less complex metal genre is simple. Create the catchiest choruses possible, and create the heaviest, most brutal breakdowns for song bridges. This is something that Swedish act ALLT are still experimenting with, something they have done since their 2024 debut record. This time though, on their second album, Ataraxia, the band have clearly expanded their horizons as they showcase their ability to experiment with pop-styled choruses, thumping guitar riffs, and power ballads to create one of the most intriguing metalcore releases of this year so far.
New Day kicks the album off with a bang. A electronic, yet heavy guitar riff begins the journey, before the first verse starts. As the verse progresses into the pre-chorus, harsh vocals take over, and the more you listen to them, the louder they become. The chorus is one of the best written of the album. It is complex vocally, as the melody choice works with the main guitar riffs, and upon listening to more choruses on the album, this one in particular does not play it safe with a simple melody at all. The second verse is where the pace goes up a notch, as the harsh vocals fully take over, which leads into the second chorus, and ultimately the breakdown. This breakdown is very rhythmical, as it should be, but as a segue into the final chorus, the change does seem slightly forced. The song however does end with the excellent third chorus, and a tiny display of emotional guitar work during the last moments of the track.
Enemy is one of the metalcore bangers of the year without a doubt. Kicking off with a guitar riff that is reminiscent of the vocal melody in the chorus, the first verse is simply clean vocals, the faint guitars in the background, all topped by the dominant drums. The pre-chorus here is long, and ferociously dominated by the harsh vocals. When the chorus first hits, the first line sounds incredibly powerful, and is incredibly catchy. The second verse is much shorter than the first one which will make those who like their huge sounding choruses delighted. The breakdown has an almost tribal build, with the vocals gradually getting louder, matched once again with the drums to create a harsh vocal version of the outstanding chorus. This continues once the breakdown explodes, as throughout, you hear the guitars mimic the notes of the melody which is a very clever songwriting touch. That is ultimately how this track ends, giving you the satisfaction of the chorus still being a part of this finale in a way one would not typically expect.
The sixth song on Ataraxia, Ultraviolence, is a showcase of the experimental side to this Swedish five-piece. Beginning with a extremely heavy riff, the first verse is more electronic, with more synths and drum machine work, instead of the heavy drums and guitars that were so prevalent up until now. The chorus on this track is mostly harsh vocal driven, something that has not yet been touched on throughout the album. The breakdown though, is much simpler, and is just a simple yet effective passage which transitions to the preciously sung outro. Showcasing that when bands can be experimental, at the same time, they can also write music that is basic, in the best way possible.
The album closer, Avalon, is another more experimental song. Starting off like a ballad, it is a slow journey which once it reaches its climax at the very end, it is fully satisfying. The first verse and chorus, have the pop vibe that metalcore has been known for, for such a long time. After this first chorus, the full band comes to life adding a crucial element of dynamics change. After another cleanly sung segment, the breakdown arrives, which is also much softer than most of the ones that came earlier. This leads to the marching drums led final chorus, which includes the return of the post-chorus clean vocal part, which is the most emotional singing performance of the entire experience. This is how the album ends, with a sombre, angry ambience. One which the metal community can sometimes know too well.
Overall, there are times where this album is a blast to listen to, especially with songs such as Enemy, but there are other tracks that are not nearly as consistent, making this album a rather inconsistent listening experience at times, but when the choruses are fun, then it is easy to forget the tracks that are less catchy. Ataraxia is the sound of a band that is still experimenting, and still trying to find their own unique identity within a subgenre of metal that thrives on it. There are glimpses of excellence as well as emotion, which the band has to capitalise on for future releases, and if they will, ALLT will be a European metalcore force to be reckoned with.
Rating: 7/10
Ataraxia is out now via Century Media Records.
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