A doom metal collective from Manchester, England,
Atavist scored big points early in their career by opening for doom heavyweights
Sunn0))) in 2004. During that tour,
Atavist recorded a demo, "31:38," which would land them an important recording deal with Invada. With a label in tow,
Atavist released their first album, Atavist, in 2005, and collaborated with metalgaze duo
Nadja. Their second album, II: Ruined, was released with added support from Profound Lore Records, which would earn the band more exposure in North America. Before recording a follow-up could begin, however, founding member Shane Ryan (bass) left the fold, changing the lineup of the band to founder
Chris Naughton on guitar, ex-
Narcosis member Oliver Turner on bass, Matt Bartley on vocals, and ex-Murder of Rosa Luxembourg member
Simon Lucas on percussion. They had a busy 2008, with a planned second collaboration with
Nadja, the EP Alchemic Resurrection, and work on
III: Absolution. It wasn't until after a ten-year hiatus that
III: Absolution saw completion: Returning in 2020, the metal outfit announced the album was to be released in June that year. With production from
Chris Fielding (
Primordial,
Napalm Death) and mastering in the hands of
James Plotkin (
Khanate, Old Lady Drivers), the album was comprised of four extensive tracks. ~ Chris True