Review Summary: Reinventing melodic metalcore.
Atlantis Chronicles is a band that you can liken to The Human Abstract in terms of sound. They play metalcore with a heavy emphasis on technical guitar work, and their previous album is quite impressive, but "Nera" takes a different direction. Before this release, they leaned heavily into technical death metal, often cramming songs with intricate arpeggios and leaving little room to breathe. "Nera" changes that up, creating space for the music to flow.
While they still share similarities with The Human Abstract, their unique approach to melody and guitar scales really sets them apart. For instance, the guitar riff in the chorus of "The Drowned and the Saved" is unmistakably theirs. This album also brings a more upbeat vibe compared to their last, which was filled with intense anger. "Nera" manages to blend fun rhythms with darker elements. The ambient guitars enhance the atmosphere, giving a sense of being underwater, which fits their overall theme perfectly.
The album balances technicality with solid song structure, ensuring everything feels coherent. Tracks like "A New Extinction" feature catchy rhythms mixed with blast beats for an extra punch. The vocals are distinctive too, making it tough to categorize them neatly; they’re a blend of melodic metalcore that truly stands out. They’re one of those underrated bands that definitely deserve more recognition.
