ATAN - Abnormal Load (EP)

ATAN

EP: Abnormal Load

Genre: Modern Progmetal

Release Date: June 9th, 2023

Country: UK

Label: Self-Released

Band-Links: WEBSITE / BANDCAMP / INSTAGRAM / FACEBOOK

After having discovered singer, multi-instrumentalist and producer Max Morton last year thanks to his own band Morton, his Facebook feed became a wonderful source to find interesting bands he was working with (and btw, he’s also responsible for the sound of the recent Jinjer, Ignea and Anima Tempo releases). So it was an easy choice to give ATAN’s new EP “Abnormal Load” a spin, which was mixed and mastered by Max as well, and consists of four tracks best described as modern progmetal. 

Even though they have powerhouse Claudia Moscoso singing and growling, what she does expressively on "Amends", the other 3 songs are mostly instrumental. Opener "Athanasy" comes along very groovy due to its djent-driven rhythmic and great bass lines that get company by gloomy, dissonant guitars, so does the earlier mentioned "Amends", just with vocals. 

The title track changes mood by starting dreamy, then takes us on a 16-minutes instrumental ride, alternating between soulful, beautifully melodious, and heavier parts, with the skillful playing of all musicians really shining through thanks to the huge, yet detailed sound. All-together, “Abnormal Load” is a short, but great listen, leaving me curious to also check out ATAN’s debut album “Ugly Monster”, which was released in September 2022.

Written by Katha (originally for The Progspace)