Atavist

A doom metal collective from Manchester, England, Atavist gained early traction by supporting the heavyweights Sunn0))) on tour throughout 2004. While on the road, the group captured a demo titled “31:38,” an effort that secured a recording contract with Invada. Once signed, Atavist issued its debut full-length, Atavist, in 2005 and joined forces with the metalgaze duo Nadja. The follow-up, II: Ruined, arrived with additional backing from Profound Lore Records, widening the band’s reach across North America. Prior to commencing work on another record, however, bassist and founding member Shane Ryan departed, prompting a new configuration that featured original guitarist Chris Naughton, ex-Narcosis bassist Oliver Turner, vocalist Matt Bartley, and ex-Murder of Rosa Luxembourg drummer Simon Lucas. The year 2008 proved active, encompassing a second planned collaboration with Nadja—the EP Alchemic Resurrection—alongside initial sessions for III: Absolution. After a decade-long absence, the project finally reached completion, with the outfit announcing a June 2020 release. Chris Fielding (Primordial, Napalm Death) handled production, James Plotkin (Khanate, Old Lady Drivers) managed mastering, and the finished album contained four lengthy tracks.