Atheist - Jupiter

The release of a new Atheist album after 17 years was inevitably going to invite comparisons with the past. Atheist's history is now part of metal lore - A brief, rather tragic (Founding member and bassist Roger Patterson died in a car accident before the recording of their second LP, the peerless Unquestionable Presence) existence that, nevertheless, over the course of three LP's, redefined the fledgling Death Metal genre. Atheist's unique, jazz-inflected, discordant style has undoubtedly influenced, but has never been replicated with any success, by the innumerable Technical Death Metal bands that were to follow in their wake.

Nor do the new Atheist, who retain two members from their original line-up (vocalist Kelly Schaefer and drummer Steve Flynn), attempt to revisit that past. To that extent, long-time fans may be disappointed in Jupiter not turning out to be an Unquestionable Presence Part II. Instead, Shaefer and co. have crafted an excellent modern Technical Death metal album - a smooth, polished piece of technical artistry - bristling with tempo-changes, ultra-precise riffs, and some beautifully off-kilter soloing. While the organic, jazzy elements have been almost totally erased from the Atheist sonic palette, Kelly Schaefer's lyrics retain their eye-brow raising excellence, and Steve Flynn's drumming, if a bit restrained, is still exceptional.

The new direction is apparent from the excellent album-opener "Second to Sun". Kelly Shaefer rolls back the years with his delightful rasp, as the song snakes its way smoothly from one dissonant section to another (keep a ear out for the virtuoso soloing near the beginning). Guitarist Chris Baker and bassist Jonathan Thompson are no slouches, either, and navigate their way through some mind-bendingly complex sections with consummate ease (their delicious interplay near the end of "Fictitious Glide" being the best example). Other highlights include "Live and Live Again", which melds jazz arrangements and some decidedly brutal riffs, and "Faux King Christ", featuring some unusually thrashy soloing reminiscent of Mustaine at his peak.

However, it's tough to pick standout tracks, as Jupiter plays very well as a single unit. Much of the credit for this must go to the outstanding production job by Jason Suecof - the sound is compact and very clear, and doesn't suffocate (a common complaint with Technical bands of Atheist's ilk). Funnily enough, the album's greatest strength is also perhaps its greatest weakness - for, in their relentless enthusiasm to pile on innumerable riffs and tempo-changes, Atheist sometimes neglect the exhilarating dynamics that set apart so much of their early material.

Minor criticisms notwithstanding, Jupiter is an amazingly well-crafted album, and for a band returning to the studio after 17 years, is also amazingly self-assured. Atheist don't break any new ground with Jupiter, but after all they've accomplished in the past, were they really expected to?

My Rating: 4/5

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Track Listing

1. Second to Sun
2. Fictitious Glide
3. Fraudulent Cloth
4. Live and Live Again
5. Faux King Christ
6. Tortoise the Titan
7. When the Beast
8. Third Person

Personnel

Vocals/Guitar: Kelly Shaefer
Drums: Steve Flynn
Bass: Jonathan Thompson
Guitar: Chris Baker