Atrocity (feat. Yasmin) - After the Storm

September 5, 2010

Reviewer: Peter

In the last six years or so, two words can best sum up the German metal band Atrocity: identity crisis.  In 2004, the band released Atlantis, which would have been more at home with the metal music trend of the early 2000’s.  The 2008 release of Werk 80 II was the band’s second album that featured 80’s covers (after the 1997 album Werk 80).  Now, the band that some call Leaves Eyes minus Liv Kristine is back with a new album in After the Storm.  Taking a decidedly folk turn with some metal in there, this is the best Atrocity album of the three mentioned, though how much it really says remains to be seen.

Officially, After the Storm is an Atrocity release, though the press release reads “Atrocity featuring Yasmin.”  For this album, Atrocity enlists the services of vocalist Alexander Krull’s sister Yasmin to create a more ethnic folk sound.  The first track “A New Arrival” is a strong indication of where the album is going to go.  The first signs of Atrocity participating on the album is on “Call of Yesteryear,” which features both Krulls handling vocals and some electric guitar mixed with folk instruments.  This album is actually pretty good with the folk elements sounding more in line with what one would expect to hear from a traditional ethnic folk group.  However, longtime Atrocity fans will have trouble associating After the Storm with anything that the band does largely because there is less emphasis on the metal part than on their previous album Werk 80 II, even though that album is metal in name only.  For the most part though, After the Storm is an enjoyable listen and is a refreshing take on folk music.

Overall, After the Storm is a solid effort from Atrocity, even if it is outside of the band’s norm.  One danger of the album is a potential identity crisis because fans will be unsure of what to make of the band and given that Leaves Eyes has been garnering much of the attention lately, it seems almost certain that Atrocity is more of a side project nowadays.  At least After the Storm offers a nice break from the usual.

Release Date: September 1, 2010
Label: Napalm Records

TRACK LISTING

1. A New Arrival
2. Call of Yesteryear
3. After the Storm
4. The Silvan Spirit
5. Black Mountain
6. As the Sun Kissed the Sky
7. Transilvania
8. The Flight of Abbas Ibn Firnas
9. Goddess of Fortune and Sorrow
10. The Otherworld
11. Eternal Nightside

Total playing time: 42:29

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