Spanish doom band Aathma has been around since 2007, but their material has been fairly spread out over that sixteen-year period. On each of their previous three full lengths the group has explored different elements of doom, sludge, stoner rock/metal, and the more atmospheric variants of these genres, but this year’s Dust From A Dark Sun represents one of their biggest pivots to date. This time around they’ve gone for a more straightforward and concise approach compared to some of the sprawling arrangements heard on their past discography but have retained the swirling atmosphere and powerful riffs in the process. Covering a lot of ground between the rock and metal spaces, Aathma’s latest impresses with some memorable riffs and soaring vocals that channel equal amounts of traditional doom and stoner rock.
Despite trimming down their song lengths significantly when compared to the first two full lengths, Dust From A Dark Sun still manages to say a lot in that shorter period of time. Opener “Cosmos” comes roaring in with the type of big lumbering hook courtesy of the guitar and bass that is sure to instantly grab doom fans, but it moves into some airier leads that create a warm and inviting atmosphere over top of this foundation. There’s the crunchiness of stoner/desert rock alongside the crushing power of doom, and the melodies channel everything from alternative rock to post metal depending on the song. There’s a decent amount of variety to Aathma’s compositions, but the power of the riff and a strong hook drives everything forward and gives this album quite a bit of substance. “Impending Fate” is easily my favorite track and showcases just how much ground the band can cover, as it starts off with a brooding almost industrial leaning melody that opens up into a bluesy groove. The way each note on the lap steel guitar juts out against the recording works to the band’s advantage here and makes for a song that really hits you with some weight while offering some catchier hooks in the process. You do still get some psychedelic leanings and a hazier atmosphere similar to 2017’s Avesta, but it doesn’t linger for quite as long and the more straightforward approach allows Aathma to reach some huge climaxes and then move onto the next idea. After repeat listens I do think that closer “The End of My World” doesn’t grab me quite as much as the rest of the album, but there are so many standout moments throughout Dust From A Dark Sun that it remains enjoyable from front to back.
Vocalist/guitarist Juan Viguera has utilized clean singing from the very beginning, but his approach and pitch has changed over time and Dust From A Dark Sun represents another significant shift. There’s a bit more weight to the singing compared to Avesta, and Viguera is now utilizing a slightly lower, booming pitch that brings 90s alternative rock and grunge to mind. There are still some ranges that channel a bit more traditional doom, but the cross between grunge, stoner rock, and everything in between gives Aathma a bit more of a unique sound on this album. When the vocals soar they have a similar emotional impact as Hangman’s Chair, though the pitch is different. While the riffs will draw you in, the atmosphere the singing generates is what helps to set this album over the edge and keep you coming back. You do occasionally get some rougher screams, like at the end of “Impending Fate”, but they’re used sparingly which makes for a greater impact when they do come roaring in.
On their fourth album Aathma has purposefully streamlined their approach, pulling in a bit more stoner and alternative rock vibes alongside their crushing doom and sludge. Some of the psychedelic vibes remain, but this is a warmer and more hook driven effort that plays to the band’s strengths and delivers plenty of stunning moments. I’m always on the lookout for doom that plays around with a more diverse set of influences, and Aathma not only meets this criteria but has also crafted one of the better genre albums of 2023. Crank this one up and prepare to get swept away by some riffs that’ll get stuck in your head and thump you right in the chest at the same time. Dust From A Dark Sun is available from Ardua Music.
-Review by Chris Dahlberg