ALBUM REVIEW: UKKO – Atlas

Finnish metalcore five-piece ATLAS return with their second LP UKKO. Taking inspiration from their homeland and its particularly unrelenting weather, the band have coined the term Northcore in the build up to this record, highlighting a harshness, but also an appreciation for their heritage and the spirit of the northern people and their mythology.

Tracks like Synti and Ukko are a big step up towards the more brutal side of the band’s nature, with dynamic, harsh vocals and eerie cleans that switch between English and Finnish pretty seamlessly. There’s maybe a little of GOJIRA in this record, in the overall tone if nothing else; a grounded, true emotion in the delivery and a sense of finding comfort within the music that solidifies the quality of what’s being offered.

Taivaanranta is a dynamically balanced track that really shows a step up in ATLAS‘ approach, demonstrating a definite maturity since their last release. There is a deftness to produce a metalcore sound, but allow more of the Northern folk-musicality to shine through, and ATLAS are navigating a modern and traditional soundscape well here. There are good grooves, and a sense of grimness and cold, like in Susi where harshness reins supreme in the first half, but surrenders to the softer, light call of clean guitars, and blends the two seamlessly by its ending.

This is unlike anything you’ll have heard from ATLAS before, as there’s a good chunk of the record that looks to the band’s Finnish roots for inspiration. Talvi will undoubtedly win over any folk metal fans who are more accustomed to the tones of HEILUNG or ODI AND THE JUPITER, with a calming, reflective quality through its Finnish vocals and tempered strings.

Lehto has an intimate feel; acoustic guitars lead a sombre, warm tune. Dual vocals balance the feminine and masculine and bring a sense of intimacy and familiarity. Likewise, the short interlude Henki, which consists of soft rain sounds and a choral melody chanted and harmonised by a haunting set of beautiful voices is one of the most compelling pieces on this record. Joki is potentially the most unlike anything else you’ve heard before from ATLAS, as there’s something very cinematic and piercing in this short track that brings some depth and calm to the final quarter of the record. Somewhere in the less spectacular is Veri, which is fine, but does fall into some metalcore tropes that are a little too tried and tested, and Uhri, which while a stomper doesn’t really push any new ground outside of feeling unsettling and a little creepy.

Pohjannaula sets some lofty expectations on itself as a seven-and-a-half-minute finisher, which for the most part it accomplishes. The atmosphere is consistent, and draws on some blackgaze and post-metal to pull UKKO to an ending, with reverb aplenty in its quiet moments. A decent solo that has an unusual tail off that doesn’t quite hit the spot is a little misplaced perhaps, but overall it’s well executed.

ATLAS have come a long way from their debut and have begun to carve a niche with a personal sound in the metalcore scene by taking the Northcore helm and delving deep into their roots. UKKO will be a pleasant surprise for fans who will enjoy this maturing of sounds, and those who haven’t already come on board with ATLAS will hopefully find something fresh in this record.

Rating: 8/10

UKKO is out now via Long Branch Records.

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