Slomatics - Atomicult

Slomatics is a doom metal band from Northern Ireland who formed in 2004.  Their latest release, “Atomicult,” is their 8th full-length album; they have also released 11 splits, two live albums and an EP. 

Despite their length of service and sizable discography, I’m not super familiar with Slomatics’ music, having previously only heard their prior album, “Strontium Fields.”  I wasn’t a huge fan of that one, to be honest, but after “Atomicult,” dropped into my inbox, I figured I enjoyed the previous effort enough to give this one at least a listen or two.  

I’m glad I did because “Atomicult,” is a very interesting album.  Obviously, it is a heavy album considering it fits firmly into the world of doom metal.  It isn’t extreme doom but it’s intense all the same.  It’s also a mindfuck of an album with a lot of atmospheric passages that are as enthralling and enveloping as their heavier side. 

The most impressive aspect of this album is that, despite its adventurous dynamics, it’s still tight and accessible.  The band knows enough to not get out of their own way and meander through their own sound.  It’s a super focused album that does what it does, while effectively balancing their heavier aspects with their more explorative ones.  

The production has a slightly raw DIY feel to it although it’s open enough for the band to expand beyond its boundaries without being either too muddled or too crisp. 

The album begins with “Obey Capricorn,” and a hard-hitting opening riff that sounds like a rock avalanche landing on my big toe.  The synth sounds are subtle and illuminate the song as the band lumbers ever forward.  The vocals, which are clean, do have moments where they are heavier—I like that and the two styles pair well.  The last minute or so is rather trippy, what with the tribal-like drums and cosmic landscapes permeating the atmosphere.

“Auto-Skull,” begins in an immediate fashion, the band finding their groove within seconds. That main riff is beefy as hell—a running stampede in my mind. Around the halfway point, the synths kick in and turn the song into some kind of alien-like expansion of their already considerable void.  The band pulls the transition off well because they never love their doomed heaviness.  Fantastic song. 

“Night Grief,” just might be my favorite song on the album because it showcases what the album is all about.  The beginning and ending of the song is straight up doom metal.  The middle is a cosmic ambient piece that put my mind in a trance.  I don’t do drugs but if I did, I bet this part would kill me.  But sober me likes it a lot too—-any band that isn’t afraid to step outside the box is always going to get my respect but especially so when they never lose their foundation.  

“Biclops,” is one of the most accessible songs here.  The vocals are soaring and smooth with a straightforward approach to the music. Near the end, the band does push out their psychedelic elements, and they sound appropriately epic against the riffs.

The final song, “To Ultramegaphonium,” is one of the album’s best songs.  The bass is the musical here, especially in the mid-section where it gets to shine against some ambient noises.  The pulse is mean and bottomless, the glue holding down the sparser elements that are around it.  The passage that follows is towering in its intensity. 

Slomatics’ “Atomicult,” is one solid doom metal album that, at least for me in my limited knowledge of them, sets the tone for what comes next for them.  I’m pretty excited for the next album and I think “Atomicult,” is a good starting point for other new fans as well. 

Rating:  Solid