Just when you think the trend of solid Death Metal albums coming out this year is going to plateau, Immolation keeps it going with Atonement (Nuclear Blast). As one of the most consistent Death Metal bands to be around as long as they have, my expectations were slightly higher than most and this album still certainly hit the mark. Every track gets to tell its own chapter of a story that this record is narrating, while remaining unique and also following the overall theme.

‘When the Jackals Come’ was an early favorite as it jumped out at me on the first listen. The first half of the track really jumps down your throat from the get go and seemingly does not let go. Then the last two minutes hit with an ominous atmosphere and matching breakdown to close out the song. ‘Lower’ is one of the more crushing tracks on Atonement that does not take its foot off the gas pedal. Starting off as a neck-breaking beginning, the track picks up for a face-melting solo which spills back into the first riff. If this track is not already on the live set list, then some room needs to be made. The closing track, ‘Epiphany’, is a monster of an album closer. The song starts off as a slow burner and then speeds up into blast beat upon blast beat. Once the solo hits, the pace starts to slow little by little, and then closes out with more guitar leads flying over the intro riff, fading out to end the album.

Atonement really has something for every kind of avid Death Metal fan; technical guitar riffs and leads, thunderous drumming, guttural vocals and even the occasional breakdown. Additionally, the album length was right on at the forty-five minute mark over eleven tracks, so the album sticks around long enough to please but not overstay its welcome. Even after ten full-length albums over the course of almost three decades, Immolation is as strong as ever.

8.0/10

TIM LEDIN