ATMOSFEAR(Germany)

...The band is perfectly named as they are able to create dark brooding atmospherics within seconds of the opening track “Beginning.” Moving seamlessly into the near eight minute “Loss Of Hope” you are plunged deeper into the dark world of AtmOsfear. With melodic hooks, powerfully driving riffs and clear vocals Zenith hits just about every progressive metal target. There are several hugely ambitious epics on the album to really lose yourself within. Firstly, there is the switching drama created within “Generation” (12.10). Then “Scum Of Society” (12.58) takes many an unexpected twist before handing over to the four-part “Spiral Of Pain” which clocks in at a massive 23 minutes. Almost hidden away is “Reawakening” which is, for me, another highlight and underlines the level of quality that this band consistently delivers...

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It takes some time for the members of AtmOsfear to pull together a new, about six years apart, exactly. Zenith is their third album, and it's as dark as its bleak, minimalist cover. Over a soundscape of atmospheric keyboards, the band layers textures of music merge melody with quiet melancholy, near despondency (Loss of Hope, Scum of Society). Zenith is not gloom and desperation like doom metal, merely ethereal, lingering and foreboding like the Titanic listing towards the iceberg in the cold dark night. If this sounds a bit ominous or creepy, do not be put off. The restless, dark intensity of AtmOsfear's Zenith is desperately intriguing and effortlessly entertaining. Just don't come to this album with a heavy heart or deep matter weighing upon your mind; it may be too much for you. There are some rougher moments within as when AtmOsfear's attempts some harsher vocals. But this only makes the exploration of Zenith an intriguing adventure into an undiscovered country which prog fans will love.

Read full story at http://www.dangerdog.com/reviews_2009/atmosfear-zenith-review.php

...We’re treated to a full 71-minutes of music on Zenith but only 6 tracks listed so you know right off the top there are going to be some long songs. Other than the brief introduction, we have two tracks over seven-minutes, two over twelve and one that’s just about 30 minutes if you include the hidden track. Stylistically there are some vague similarities to Dream Theater in that it is definitely guitar centric. Which is not to say the keyboards don’t play a prominent part, they do. In fact I heard more keyboards than in some DT but it’s just that the guitars are SO up front, you might be forgiven for not noticing the myriad of keyboard sounds, but there sure are lots there. After the brief keyboard introduction “Beginnings” [1:11] we launch seamlessly into “Loss of Hope” [7:53] where in no time at all the keyboards build to a climax and then give way some beautifully crunchy guitar and mid-tempo double kick-drums. You quickly lose count of the musical change-ups. While I’m not a huge fan of the double kick set-up here I’m reminded of early Rush where Neal Peart was constantly changing patterns and rarely seemed to play the same thing twice. But then that’s true of everybody in the band, there is so much going in the music ofAtmosfear; soft and moody one minute, heavy and dramatic the next all driven by some stellar guitar work and supported with lots of great keyboard sounds...

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Formed in Germany in the mid 90s, this is Atmosfear’s third album, and mixes prog rock/metal with dark operatic undertones. The rhythms are solid, chunky, catchy, and some of the scales and arpeggios give classical nods. The slower moments still retain heavy touches, the piano mixed with chunky guitar riffs is a good touch on 'Reawakening'. With two tracks at nearly 8 minutes each, two more at 12 and another at over 20, it’s very progressive indeed. A mix of Magnum and Marillion, beefed up.

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Ever hear of a German progressive metal band called AtmOsfear? Well I hadn't until now that is, so for those of us who are new to this band, Zenith, their third release, is a nice initiation. After getting my first taste of Arcane and their excellent progressive album Chronicles Of A Waking Dream, I was keen to hear this other progressive band for the first time. As the title says "Beginning" is just that, track one of Zenith is a short-lived instrumental which is brimming with keyboards, flowing into the heavy guitars and duplicating drum kicks that launch "Loss Of Hope". The five tracks that follow range in length from seven and a half minutes of the solid instrumental "Reawakening", to just under a very lengthy thirty for this CDs closer "Spiral Of Pain". AtmOsfear's music on Zenith is pleasingly composed and capably performed, they present a welcome combination of heaviness with atmosphere and sound vocals. AtmOsfear are a promising addition to the thriving progressive genre. While Zenith trails the top progressive releases of 2009, the appeal is still there to warrant a score of four stars.

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It has happened to me twice here in 2009. You stumble upon a band that you have never heard of which totally blows you away. The first time was with the band Anima Mundi out of Cuba. Now, it has happened a second time. From Germany comes the band AtmOsfear with their third release called Zenith. After hearing this one, I am now they have me on a mad search for their past two discs. I cannot believe that they have been ignored by the prog metal world if the past music is as good as this album. Any fan of groups such as Dream Theater, Symphony X or Evergrey whom they have shared a stage with, are in for a treat that is the equal of any of these bands. The disc kind of lulls you in with the short instrumental intro titled "Beginnings". Aptly titled as this is only the start of what is about to fill your senses. The five remaining songs fill the remaining 70 minutes of music and it culminates in the almost 30 minute epic "Spiral Of Pain". Along the way you are treated to a group of five musicians that can hold their own with anyone you would like to name. Stephan Kruse on keyboards, vocalist Oliver Wulff, bassist Burkhart Heberle along with drummer Tim Schnabel and guitarist Boris Stepanow form one of the most dynamic group of musicians ever assembled. They seem to draw off each other and interweave their individual talents into one of the best musical offerings of 2009 or any year for that matter...

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Six year cycles seem to be the norm for Atmosfear, with 1997 seeing their self titled debut release, which was followed up in 2003 by the Dream Theater, Evergrey and Poverty's No Crime inspired "Inside The Atmosphere". Waiting another six year term Atmosfear are back, this time with "Zenith". Genre wise, this new album also falls into the prog metal arena, however this is what I would describe as "toned down" prog metal. There's less histrionics and virtuosity on show (not that I'm suggesting the band aren't masters of their instruments) than you would care to find on the most recent albums from the standard bearers of the scene. Instead Atmosfear spend more of their time building the atmosphere(!) of their music. Whilst that in itself is no bad thing, I have to admit to preferring melody and structure over technique anyday of the week, in this case it has resulted in a set of songs that lack the ability to stick in the mind. I have listened to "Zenith" over and over and have to admit to finding it to be an enjoyable, but forgettable experience. There's nothing wrong with any of the melodies, or themes introduced throughout the album, however once it has finished I have to admit to having nothing from the tracks left in my memory banks...

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This is German progressive metal band, Atmosfear’s 3rd record since founding in 1996. This CD starts with a short intro and then has some very long tracks as there are only 5 more in 70 minutes and yes, the band creates some incredible Atmosfear! The band is clearly influenced by TOOL on some of the tracks. "Loss of Hope" has some very heavy guitars to start and then becomes much more melodic and a vocal song but at the end features a long keyboard solo as the pace of the track picks up. "Generations" is next and is a mix of melodic and heavy and dreamy and takes you on a 12 minute journey. The song also features a section of samples about the future generation. "Reawakening" is instrumental and begins with piano and melodic guitars before the pace picks up and the guitars become heavier. I am not really a fan of the keyboards used in this track, it is just too pretty somehow and out of place for my world. "Scum of Society" (13mins) has some intense lyrics to balance the heavy riffs in this slow and building track. The CD ends with the four part 23 min "Spiral of Pain" track. It starts quite spacey and then some the piano and choir vocals slowly come in and then the real vocals and heavy guitars once again. This is a band that really needs to have some cool films playing at their concerts. Strong release.

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