Metalcatto
Look at that awesome artwork. Doesn’t it make you wonder why almost nobody is willing to make Black-Doom? Is it even possible to make slow Black Metal? I don’t know, but here is Atlantic Ridge with their album Atlantic Ridge (how creative!). It’s a record trying to defy expectations. At this point in my life, I don’t have any. Hopefully, all the challenges come from a band ready to take down my prejudices.
Atlantic Ridge is an introspective journey that does a great job balancing speed and weight. That’s its secret: the Doom and Black Metal sections are clearly defined but transition smoothly between each other. The tracks are long and full of ideas that take their time to cook, but repetition isn’t as much of an issue as you’d expect. The contrast between the two styles keeps things fresh. If anything, this feels like listening to a less psychedelic Blut Aus Nord. That’s always a compliment for any band in the niche.
There are moments where the album almost feels instrumental. Yes, there are vocals, but they’re so integrated into the mix that when they come in, they don’t take over the focus. Melodies and minimalist sections carry the emotional weight of the album. The band lets the songwriting speak for itself, creating a captivating sense of mystery. Perhaps it’s the slightly retro production, but the atmosphere truly wraps you up and refuses to let go.
Regarding the less cool elements: for once, I’m not going to complain about song length. It’s Doom. It has to be longer than a tax declaration. But the song structure here is a bit predictable. Compressed and depressing riff, then some blasting, then repeat. The content changes, but the form remains visible throughout. It’s almost like violent meditation, if that ever made sense as a concept. Repetition of structure doesn’t ruin the experience, but it does make it easier to anticipate what comes next.
So, the album honors the artwork. Atlantic Ridgewe is chimeric, to say the least. You should keep track of these guys. They’re a few tweaks away from releasing a masterpiece. This is music that reminds you how deeply particular your music taste is and why you’ve gotta keep mom away from it. That alone should be a quality stamp. Not every album needs to be accessible and have short fun tracks. Sometimes, I can let all that pass if the suffering is that good!
Label: Dusktone
Release date: April 24th, 2026
Website: https://www.facebook.com/atlanticridgeofficial
Country: Italy
Score: 3.8/5.0
Metal Eclipse Reviews 