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Atrocity: Todessehnsucht (remaster)
 Second album from German death metal veterans Atrocity was originally released back in 1992 on Roadrunner, with Metal Mind Productions now giving it the remaster treatment it deserves. Despite this being a European band, you can just hear the Florida Death Metal influence throughout this album, especially bands like Morbid Angel, Deicide, Obituary, and Death. Punishing riffs, gorgeous harmony lines, rampaging blast beats, evil growls, and thought provoking lyrical content permeate this very enjoyable slab 'o death, as the band as of this juncture had not yet veered off into epic black/death waters that we've seen the last few years. What jumps out at you throughout is how damn melodic this thing is despite its extreme nature, tunes like "Defiance", "Unspoken Names", and "Sky Turned Red" just pummel you with power but the songs remain memorable, thanks to brutal yet catchy riffs and loads of Maiden-ish harmony lines. Alex Krull's demonic vocals recall Glenn Benton at his most wretched, yet for the most part these guys tend to stick to an Obituary plod rather than an all out speed of light assualt that Deicide is famous for. Did I mention that the riffs are massive? Well, they sure as hell are, the guitar team of Mathias Roderer & Richard Scharf delivering crushing riffage and blinding solos throughout Todessehnsucht-don't believe me; then check out the monstrous waves of brutal power chords and pummeling drum blasts on "Necropolis" or "Archangel" for proof of the sheer guitar power of this outfit.
Very well produced originally, the remaster job from Alex Krull makes this reissue sound even better. The whole thing is housed in a very nice digipack, with photos, essay, and full lyrics adorning the booklet. If you didn't get around to discovering this early 90's death metal classic the first time around, now's your chance.
Track Listing
- Todessehnsucht
- Godless Years
- Unspoken Names
- Defiance
- Triumph At Dawn
- Introduction
- Sky Turned Red
- Necropolis
- A Prison Called Earth
- Todessehnsucht (Reprise)
- Archangel
Added: February 26th 2008
Reviewer: Pete Pardo
Score: 
Related Link: Atrocity Website
Hits: 3334
Language: english
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Atrocity: Todessehnsucht (remaster)
Posted by Ken Pierce, SoT Staff Writer on 2008-02-27 06:45:23
My Score:
The sophomore release by Germany's Atrocity originally came to the world via the mighty Roadrunner Records way back in 1992 and thanks to the folks at Metal Mind Productions strikes hard once again in a remastered reissue. With "Todessehnsucht" the band had found their strength and focus in delivering a unique brand of Death Metal that also gave the fans a rather epic nature with a definite technical and melodic edge. The influences of the Florida Death Metal scene are very apparent as airs of Obituary are heard and even the basics of Morbid Angel are felt throughout the recording on songs like "Unspoken Names", a tune that sweeps the listener in many different directions. "Defiance" is a little more traditional with a trudging riff and quick growling vocals over them that could have easily been from a US based group as opposed to a European export. For it's time I would have to say that it was a lot more progressive than we were finding in the genre outside of a few of its early innovators. The band took some time in crafting the music on "Longing For Death", it's literal translation, and present a very interesting ride instead of coming off boring or repetitive. "Triumph At Dawn" is one of the more straight-forward Metal tracks and would appeal to the fan who likes that instead of when the band tries their hands at other little styles and groove changes while "Sky Turned Red" is almost a Gothic Metal offering. The track comes with its own mood inducing "Introduction" and then delivers a powerful yet solemn tune that actually demonstrates part of the direction that the band will take in the future. From beginning to end there is a lot to absorb on the album that might find a lot of the Death Metal fans taking a liking to this and most specifically those who like levels of difference in their music based on the non-traditional avenues that are taken by Alex Krull and the band. Krull also had a hand in the re-mastering process and it really comes to vibrant life and stands up well against any release of today in terms of production and Metal intensity. There is nothing dated about the band when one listens to it in today's world and while not as blazing in terms of speed against today's groups, there is a musicality and freshness to it that has held up well since its release over fifteen years ago.
A booklet is included in the digipak and it presents liner notes from Krull about the album and as a closer the group even delivers a cover of a classic tune by the legendary Death with "Archangel". The only difference in it is that the lyrics have been rewritten based on the originals not being available. Either way it sounds pretty intense. Check this out to see one of the more interesting Death Metal offerings that Europe gave us way back in the day.
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