The new Atoll album will challenge everything you thought you knew about brutal death metal. It's a sonic assault that pushes the boundaries of both violence and depravity, forcing you to confront uncomfortable topics with unsettling intensity. From songs like "Gay for God," which tackles the disturbing topic of child molestation by priests, to "Berdella of Blood," a harrowing exploration of the pain endured by a victim of a serial killer, and the grotesque imagery of human consumption on "Autonomic Autosarcophagy," this album is designed to traumatize and provoke thought. If you’re looking for music that will scramble your mind and leave you questioning your very understanding of brutal death metal, Atoll delivers in spades.

Sonically, this band is on another level. The drums are nothing short of insane—unrelenting speed combined with a level of precision that will leave you breathless. The double kicks are so fast and deep, they sound almost like they're tunneling into your soul, especially on tracks like "Autonomic Autosarcophagy" and "Missionary Opposition." It's not just speed for the sake of speed—these beats feel heavy, with a deep, resonant power that makes every blast beat hit harder. The drummer’s sense of dynamics is also impressive, incorporating complex fills (like those in "Husks") that never feel out of place, always keeping the listener engaged and never giving in to monotony.

The riffs are equally massive. Chunky, thick, and unrelenting, the guitar work on tracks like "Autonomic Autosarcophagy" and "Vomit Altar" will make your bones rattle. There's a groove to the heaviness, too—tracks like "Sexual Aggressor" flow with a hypnotic quality that keeps your head nodding, even if the content is anything but comfortable. While some riffs can feel a little repetitive at times, they never overstay their welcome, and there's always something in each track to make it worth the ride.

The bass, though often submerged in the chaos of the mix, has a solid presence, adding depth and texture to the wall of sound. It’s particularly thick on tracks like "Primordial Rage," where it takes on a plucky, almost rhythmic quality that complements the rapid drumming and dense guitars. Even though the bass isn't always in the forefront, it plays a crucial role in grounding the band's sound, giving it a rich, layered feel.

Vocally, Atoll's frontman delivers a truly menacing performance. The growls and screams are absolutely gargantuan, and there’s a certain evil that seeps through on tracks like "Vomit Altar" and "Missionary Opposition." His use of low gutturals and high-pitched shrieks is masterful, injecting a truly demonic energy into the songs. The tasteful incorporation of "bleghs" and "rhees" gives the vocals that quintessential death metal vibe, but it’s the raw intensity that makes them so terrifying.

The production on this album is sharp and well-crafted. Every instrument is perfectly balanced, with a clarity that ensures nothing gets lost in the chaos. The band also incorporates some clever samples to enhance the impact of their lyrics—like the chilling use of clips from It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia to juxtapose the brutality with absurdity, and darker samples that add an extra layer of discomfort to the more disturbing tracks. It’s these small touches that show Atoll's commitment to their craft and their desire to push boundaries.

The album flows surprisingly well for a brutal death metal release. With its unpredictable shifts in tempo and mood, it keeps you on your toes without ever feeling like a chore to listen to. Sure, there are moments where a few songs may feel a bit formulaic or generic, but even in those instances, there are standout moments that keep things interesting.

Atoll's latest album is a gut-punch of horror, humor, and pure sonic madness. It’s an album that will make you laugh in the most uncomfortable way, leave you squirming in your seat, and probably make you question your sanity by the end. But above all, it’s an album that takes death metal to a new level of extremity—sonically and lyrically—and it's absolutely unrelenting. If you’re ready for an experience that will haunt you long after the last track ends, Atoll has got you covered.