Germany’s Atrocity has been one of Metal’s most prolific over the last three plus decades. Originally forming all the way back in 1985, in the years to follow, the band has gone through various stylistic changes. So many to recount, some interesting bulletin points for Atrocity would have to be the more Gothic Metal era during the early 2000’s including Gemini and the infused 2004 effort Atlantis. Beyond this, there have been plenty of other ebbs and flows for Atrocity, which include the very unique 2010 album After the Storm.
Truly a band that is not afraid to push boundaries, in more recent years, there have been yet again twists and turns. Looking at the last decade, 2013 saw the release of the mixed Symphonic Death Metal leaning Okkult, 2018’s Okkult II emerged as more straight forward Death Metal, and now in 2023 there is Okkult III. The band’s eleventh studio album, Okkult III arrived on January 20th through Massacre Records and marks their first album with new Guitarists Luc Gebhardt and Micki Richter, as well as Bassist Andre Nasso. A lineup of players who also works with Atrocity leader Alexander Krull as a part of Leaves’ Eyes, there is also Joris Nijenhuis still remaining behind the drums.
These pieces in place, Atrocity returns with an album that is filled with many more brutal Death Metal stylings. A part of the Okkult trilogy, Okkult III comes with ten songs that rampages straight through. Now, it is not to say the album has no diversity, because it does, it just presents itself as one of Atrocity’s more brutal attempts in some time.
For those who have been paying attention, Atrocity offered tastes of what was coming with Okkult III with the release of “Desecration of God,” “Born to Kill,” “Faces From Beyond,” and “Malicious Sukkubus” in late 2022. Each showing intrigue, Krull changes up the brutality of vocals slightly on each, and is matched with strong guitar grooves. Joining these tracks, standouts include “Bleeding For Blasphemy,”’ “Cypka,” and “Teufelsmarsch.”
In truth, Okkult III may take some listeners back for a moment. Hitting you hard, once you adjust to the more brutal attributes it offers, you will find plenty to appreciate here. As stated, Krull has never settled on one particular sound for Atrocity. Liking to keep it open and experimenting, Okkult III comes out boldly, standing apart from I and II.
Recently closing out 2023 on a European tour along with Belphegor, Arkona, God Dethroned, and Monastary, it will be interesting to see what the future holds for Atrocity. There are reports that Krull and company plan for the release of the new Leaves’ Eyes album Myths Of Fate some time in 2024, so that is something else to look out for. Until then, Cryptic Rock gives Atrocity’s Okkult III 4 out of 5 stars.
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