Reviews

This is the third album from German prog metal outfit Atmosfear. They’re not exactly prolific as they have been around 15 years – but given that this was released nearly two years ago and I’m only just writing about it I’m hardly in a position to cast stones. The press release uses the word “soundscape” when discussing their style, and that is a great way of describing it. When people hear the term ‘prog metal’ they either think of crunching riffs combined with strong keyboards and vocals (a la Threshold) or a band that can do absolutely anything and get away with it as not only are they all virtuoso musicians but they keep coming back to hard rock/metal at least some of the time (Dream Theater – yes I know that is a vast under-representation for them but you get the drift). But, these guys have connections with but are totally different to both of those, and sit within the genre but in many ways are totally separate from it. The band name was obviously chosen with some care, as this is extremely atmospheric metal and it has an edge that is much more than just the complexity of the instruments and the wonderfully clear vocals. Yes, there are parts that remind me somewhat of Savatage, but they are only sections in songs as opposed to complete pieces. I read one review on the web where they basically asked what on earth this band had been doing to get this far and not been picked up and praised by the prog scene and I know where he is coming from. This is progressive metal of the very highest quality, and anyone who enjoys melodic rock that is easy to listen to and full of hooks yet has a presence that takes it to a new level really ought to search this out.
www.silhobbit.co.uk

...Taking time to develop their tracks, in a melodic and strangely calm manner (for a metal band, obviously), AtmOsfear has released, back in 2009, their sophomore full length (there was an accountable EP that launched the band), and has shown development and a sense of maturation of their overall sound. Zenith mixes well thought riffs, semi-high pitch vocals and a great keyboard playing. This last instrument is mainly responsible for creating the melodic textures upon which the guitar and drums impose a whole pallete of emotions and soundscapes. Closer to the likes of Evergrey, or even a much slower and less frantic Angra, than to those of Dream Theater, AtmOsfear is always more spacey and somehow calmer than their German counterparts, relishing a strong musicality that gathers a well defined melodic and harmonic sense and a will to take time to construct each track, make them grow within their own boundaries, and ultimately providing the listener with a different kind of prog-metal without ever being that much adventurous. And they accomplish this by imposing crescendos, long instrumental sections with good (while not show-off) solo units and instrument interactions, changing colors and harmonies in a unforced, natural way...
www.proggnosis.com/PGRelease.asp?RID=29737

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.
www.lowcut.dk/joomla/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1008:atmosfear-zenith&catid=29:album-reviews&Itemid=54

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...
metalperspective.com/reviews/atmosfear.php

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.
www.getreadytorock.com/reviews2009/quick_play1209.htm

...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...
www.jerrylucky.com/reviews%20a-e_036.htm

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.
www.dangerdog.com/reviews_2009/atmosfear-zenith-review.php

...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...
blogcritics.org/music/article/music-review-eurorock-road-trip-atmosfear

...The album will however probably be judged ultimately on the quality (or otherwise) of the epic Spiral Of Pain – and thankfully the band pass the test here, managing to maintain interest for at least a good proportion of the song’s length. It certainly benefits from some strong recurring musical themes which help give it a cohesive structure, and there’s a good balance between riff-dominated sections and more considered, almost orchestral parts. Yes the song outstays its welcome a little but this criticism can, to be honest, be levelled at most multi-part epics. Overall then, despite an unpromising start, I ultimately found this to be an enjoyable disc. I think the band would benefit from getting an outside producer in, and some of the song-writing could be tightened up a bit, but whilst it’s no masterpiece this is a decent slab of progressive metal. This album should be of interest to those who enjoy the darker side of the genre, and in particular to fans of the bands mentioned in the introduction to this review.
www.dprp.net/reviews/201011.php#atmosfear

...Dark sounds, clocks and a piano introduce the first instrumental track Beginning, immediately followed by violins, heavy drums and metal guitar riffs in the vein of John Petrucci (Dream Theater). After a minute, lead singer Oliver Wulff - who even has a better voice than DT’s James LaBrie - and the other band members play a kind of prog metal I like very much. Loss of Hope belongs to the best pieces in the genre: up-tempo, varied with guitar and synthesizer solos, a nice chorus and ending with a choir. The fourth track Generations has an interesting approach starting slowly with some vocal tricks by Oliver Wulff. After three minutes, a melodic guitar solo in the vein of Gary Moore played by Boris Stepanow takes over. In the middle-section the rhythm suddenly changes and the music becomes darker and heavier with some grunges and double bass drums. The last part differs again from the rest of the song with emotional vocals and fine guitar riffs. With this song AtmOsfear created a 12-minute prog rock jewel for my collection! Reawakening is a 7-minute instrumental and a perfect piece for headbangers. The technical and musical skills of all band members are excellent with only one exception: drummer Tim Schnabel is even superb! Sometimes he’s hitting the drums hard, sometimes soft, but he’s always in control. Scum Of Society is not the easiest song to listen to. It starts like a complex Dream Theater song, but at the end there’s an interesting ‘battle’ between the organ of Stephan Kruse and Boris Stepanow’s guitar...
www.backgroundmagazine.nl/CDReviews/AtmosfearZenith.html

Progressive metal’s pretentious reputation won’t be spared with Zenith, the third album from AtmOsfear. Indeed, the 71-minute disc contains only six songs, including the four-part finale “Spiral of Pain,” which clocks in at almost half an hour. But the German quintet—not to be confused with the U.K.-based jazz/funk band of the same name from the late ’70s—also provides a prime example of just how melodic and moving progressive metal can be these days. Nowhere is this more evident than on “Spiral of Pain,” which effortlessly takes listeners on an emotional spin. The seven-and-a-half-minute instrumental “Reawakening” begins with a lone piano solo and then turns ominous, segueing perfectly into the album’s darkest piece, the nasty, minor-key “Scum of Society.” The weakest track, “Generations,” is plagued with gruff vocals bordering on death-metal grunts that detract from the rest of the album’s classiness.
www.expressmilwaukee.com/article-10314-atmosfear.html

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.
www.seaoftranquility.org/reviews.php?op=showcontent&id=8678