Released 10 years ago
Atoma
Dark Tranquillity · 2016
49 min · 12 tracks · melodic death metal
A fusion of melodic death metal and atmospheric elements, weaving intricate melodies with heavy, driving rhythms.
Top tracks — play these first
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Atoma — The title track encapsulates the album's exploration of themes such as identity and existentialism, combining haunting melodies with powerful instrumentation that defines Dark Tranquillity's sound.
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Forward Momentum — This track stands out for its driving rhythm and dynamic shifts, embodying the album's thematic focus on progress and resilience amid uncertainty.
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Faithless by Default — With its layered harmonies and introspective lyrics, this song reflects a critical turning point in the narrative of the album, emphasizing personal struggle and disillusionment.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases a blend of melodic and atmospheric elements, with strong craftsmanship but a familiar sound within its genre.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features tracks that blend intricate melodies with aggressive rhythms, while the second half shifts towards more atmospheric soundscapes.
- Several tracks incorporate clean vocals alongside growls, creating a dynamic contrast in vocal delivery throughout the record.
- The use of layered guitar harmonies is prominent, particularly in the choruses, enhancing the melodic aspects of the music.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- immersive soundscape exploration
- melodic layering for focus
- thoughtful listening during solitude
Maybe skip if you
- seeking instant gratification
- prefer standalone tracks only
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Late Career Highlight — Shows renewed creativity and sonic evolution in their later period.
- Career context
- Atoma is Dark Tranquillity's eleventh studio album, following their 2013 release Construct. This album arrives during a period of renewed creativity for the band, as they explore more progressive soundscapes while maintaining their signature melodic death metal roots.
- Stylistic neighbors
- In Flames· At the Gates· Soilwork
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Encircled 3:32
- 2 Atoma 4:19
- 3 Forward Momentum 3:40
- 4 Neutrality 4:17
- 5 Force of Hand 4:22
- 6 Faithless by Default 4:31
- 7 The Pitiless 4:08
- 8 Our Proof of Life 4:22
- 9 Clearing Skies 3:33
- 10 When the World Screams 3:57
- 11 Merciless Fate 4:22
- 12 Caves and Embers 4:30
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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