Atma
Atma makes YOB sound heavy and rough. The guitars have a grainy tone, the drums maintain firm movement and the singing shifts from sharp heights to lower, harsher sounds. The band uses extended compositions to give that sound room. At its best the result is absorbing, although not every piece justifies its length equally well.
Prepare the Ground opens with considerable weight and a psychedelic edge. The guitar parts carry enough character to offer more than a heavy attack. YOB lets the riffs work and finds tension in the movement around them. The voice adds to the restless character.
The title track follows a looser path. It gains direction midway through from a short, recurring guitar figure. That repetition makes the music more purposeful without changing its rough sound.
Before We Dreamed of Two requires the most patience. Its slower sections have a strong atmosphere, but can also feel as though development falls behind the running time. However, rhythms and changes in intensity provide more movement than the initial impression might suggest.
Adrift in the Ocean gives the ending conviction. Its guitar opening allows tension to grow before heavier movement takes over. The composition creates sufficient contrast to give its extended form a clear purpose. Here the record's strengths come together most effectively.
The hazy presentation makes some details harder to follow. Nevertheless, Atma retains enough character in its riffs and playing to remain engaging. It demands attention, and not every departure feels necessary. However, its strongest passages give that effort a convincing reward.
