Published: February 24, 2015

Three-piece NC atmospheric death doom combo Atten Ash bear deep roots in the scene, despite only becoming an entity in 2011; Barre Gambling & Archie Hunt cut their teeth in heavyweight acts Daylight Dies and Legion of the Fallen before joining forces with founder James Greene. This collective muscle memory helped to carry an already fully realized vision from the start, with their formative period dedicated to crafting a formidable collection of songs. Recorded and released digitally in 2012 to relative obscurity at the time, Atten Ash's 1st full length, Hourglass is now finally getting a proper physical release three years later as a 4 panel digipack CD through Saskatoon-based independent non-profit record label and webshop Hypnotic Dirge Records.

Much like iconic Peaceville act Katatonia, Atten Ash lace aggressive melancholy with a bitter pop sensibility on Hourglass. Standout tracks like opener ‘City on the Sea’ and ‘Not as Others Were’ bind harsh death vox with pristine harmonies and dynamic arrangements. Atten Ashseamlessly weave this surprisingly vibrant blend of murky crunch and melodicism into a majestic sonic tapestry throughout.

With this regal edict of icy inevitability, Atten Ash has firmly secured its rightful place alongside October Tide, Doom:VS, and other demigods in the upper reaches of the unholy death doom pantheon. Hourglass marks the advent of an especially fearsome vessel of ominous ruination. Take great heed.