It seems like the album took forever to make. Changes in line-up and finding new label boiled down to almost seven (yes!) years of silence, but Atlantis: The New Beginning is finally here. And it is good to hear Lost Soul is back, alive and kicking.
Atlantis: The New Beginning is reminiscent of, but also an improvement on the band's previous release. It is not as speed-focused, and has more breather moments scattered here and there (Red Giant), but the band sticks to its heavy guns.
A truly overwhelming cavalcade of sounds at first, Atlantis: The New Beginning takes a bunch of listens to digest and enjoy. Not an easy ride, but certainly worth the effort. It's a dense, rich, technical and very demanding piece of death metal which brims with detail.
Atlantis: The New Beginning is very fast and technical at times, yet in the bounds where it serves the songs rather than destroys them musically. The songwriting is very conscious and mature and there is tons of amazing riffage. Soloing is definitely on the shred side, but still melodic and quite biting.
Apart from soloing, it's also the way the guitars complement each other which makes the strength of Atlantis. Marek Golas, who joined the band in 2012 on second guitar, turns out to be a great fit and a reliable wingman for Grecki. He contributes not only by doubling guitars, but also enhancing the melody with some quality counterpoints. Unlike on Lost Soul's previous albums, there is also more solo trading (e.g. in the song Atlantis), which is a very welcome addition. Like a cherry on top, there is even a guest solo from Dave Suzuki.
Production-wise, however, it feels like Atlantis: The New Beginning lacks certain dynamism to unleash its full potential. Instruments sound perfectly in place: powerful guitars, organic drums and tight, distinct bass, but I wish more could be done in the mastering process.
As the nitpicking goes, with all the catchy and melodic moments, most of the riffing on Atlantis seems a bit too fleeting. I often wish I was given more time to take in what is happening. This is why, to my taste, it's the more spacious, progressive-feeling songs like Atlantis (that choir!), very melodic Perihelion and epic, explosive opener Hypothelemus that redeem the album, and make the most memorable and powerful highlights.
All the criticism aside, Atlantis: The New Beginning easily makes the top ten best death metal albums in 2015. If not 2016, too.
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