Atramentum is a German Dark Metal band that was formed in 2017. Three years later, they released their debut full-length album titled “Doomed in Time.” Subsequently, four years after that, Atramentum released their second full-length album, “The Wrath Within,” on January 24th, 2025.
Atramentum Links
Atramentum, The Wrath Within Review: This review will evaluate every aspect of the album, from its intricate musical composition to its production. Our analysis will provide valuable insights to help you determine if this album is worth adding to your collection.
The First Three Sins of The Wrath Within
Let’s start by discussing the first three sins of Atramentum and their album, The Wrath Within
The First Sin, The Strings/Keys: Features twin guitar work, that comprise a mix of heavy doom riffs and intricate, haunting melodies. Solos pierce through the dense atmosphere. The bass lines lay a deep, resonant foundation, enhancing the overall heaviness and grounding the music with a robust low end. The Second Sin, The Vocals: Delivers a dynamic range from guttural growls to clean, melodic singing. Adding significant emotional depth, drawing the listener deeply into Atramentum‘s immersive soundscape. The Third Sin—The Percussions: Features a mix of powerful, thunderous beats and intricate rhythmic patterns. Provides the rhythmic backbone that propels their songs forward while adding layers of complexity.
The Fourth Sin: Overall Discussion:
Invites you to settle in, unwind, don your headphones, and immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of haunting melodies and shadowy harmonies
Once the listener hits that play button, the opening track Lighthouse envelops them in the soothing sounds of ocean waves, accompanied by a pristine, melodic instrumental that embraces the listener’s ears like a warm hug. As the journey unfolds, the piece shifts into a more dynamic and polished blend of instrumentals and vocals, preparing the listener for the exhilarating experience that lies ahead.
As the listener continues their journey with the second piece, Living in Dystopia and the remaining eleven pieces, where the music explores themes of sorrow, existential dread, and the darker aspects of human experience.
Embarking on this journey won’t be a walk in the park; it’s the kind of experience that invites you to settle in, unwind, don your headphones, and immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of haunting melodies and shadowy harmonies. This is a fruit of art mammoth is the result of an artistic and devilmanship undertaking of massive proportions, a complex and intricate instrumental score that has been meticulously crafted, not hurried, but shaped with exquisite precision.
The Wrath Within presents a musical landscape that unfolds in waves rather than layers, showcasing a relentless barrage of aggressive death metal interspersed with slow, weighty doom metal sections. It features rapid bursts of fury, infused with a chilling darkness reminiscent of black metal, while also drawing on elements of blues and rock ‘n’ roll. The band weaves in a pronounced influence from the iconic Peaceville sound, celebrated by groups like My Dying Bride and Paradise Lost, all the while maintaining a distinct identity that is unmistakably their own.
Atramentum and their latest creation, The Wrath Within, a captivating journey that spans just over seventy minutes and encompasses thirteen tracks of audacious artistry. Each facet of this musical endeavour—be it the intricate compositions, the instrumental prowess, or the evocative lyrics—reflects a fruit of art blend of creativity and dark inspiration. The result is a rich tapestry of sound that envelops the listener, inviting them to explore the depths of its forbidden and dark themes.
The twin guitar work providing by Oliver Dermann and Tim Stopar, stands out with its fusion of heavy doom riffs and haunting melodies, complemented by soaring solos that pierce through the atmosphere. Tobias bass lines lay down a robust foundation, grounding the music in a deep, resonant heaviness that enhances the overall experience. Meanwhile, Julian drums thunder with a fierce intensity, providing a rhythmic backbone that propels the tracks forward, ensuring that every moment is charged with energy and emotion.
Vocally, Sebastian showcases a remarkable range, oscillating between guttural growls and soaring clean melodies that resonate deeply with the audience. This dynamic vocal performance infuses the songs with a profound emotional weight, drowning listeners into the heart of the music. While the clean vocals may occasionally lack clarity, this imperfection could very well be an intentional choice, adding to the raw, unrefined essence of their sound.
The essence of Atramentum and their latest offering, The Wrath Within, is a fruit of art wrapped in this production, which stands as a testament to skilful fruit of art devilmanship. Each sound, chord, note, beat, and breath is preserved with such precision that it feels as though they have been bottled, ready to be unleashed. This release showcases a harmonious blend of creativity and structure, inviting listeners to indulge in its rich layers.
Atramentum delivers a release that embodies the allure of artistic rebellion. This tightly woven composition serves as a forbidden delight, where every element is expertly aligned to create a captivating experience. The artistry and devilmanship behind this work is undeniable, drawing the listener into a world where sound and emotion intertwine seamlessly, leaving a lasting impression.
Atramentum fuse doom and death metal uniquely. And a must for fans of My Dying Bride and Paradise Lost.
As the last chord fades away on the closing piece, The Wrath Within, and the headphones slip from the ears, the essence of the music dissolves into nothingness, leaving behind just a whisper of sound that once filled the soul. We want to give a shoutout to Atramentum for letting us review their album, The Wrath Within. Now, we are going to conclude the review by talking about the final three sins and concluding the review.
The Last Three Sins
Let’s discuss the last three sins of Atramentum and their album, The Wrath Within
The Fifth Sin, The Memorabilia:
Atramentum has presented a release that is robust, cohesive, and successfully meets the expectations of an artistic endeavour. This work is not only appealing to fans of My Dying Bride and Paradise Lost but also resonates with enthusiasts of dark, aggressive, melancholy music and death metal fans. Personally, I was struck by the composition, lyrical depth, and musical arrangement, as well as the perfect fruit of art devilmanship that conveys a sense of darkness and melancholy.
The Sixth Sin, The Artwork:
The artwork is captivating, with the red hue compelling one’s attention. Simultaneously, it evokes a sense of nostalgia for the traditional gothic and doom art movements.
The Seventh Sin, Disrelish:
Nothing to disrelish within the musical spectrum of Atramentum and their album, The Wrath Within. Therefore, this concludes Atramentum and their album, The Wrath Within review.
Members
Tobias Norff: bass
Sebastian Schlenker: vocals
Julian Gricksch: drums
Olliver Dermann: guitar
Tim Stoper: guitar
Track-Listing
01. Lighthouse
02. Living in Dystopia
03. Higgs Field
04. Back to Soil
05. Emptiness Inside
06. Window
07. No One Escapes
08. The Noose
09. Another Life to Die
10. Farewell
11. Path to Salvation
12. Lake of My Own Essence
13. The Wrath Within
