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Attomica (1988)
Attomica started out as one of the most violent sounding bands in Brazil. Their 1988 debut album is pure death/thrash and is about as hateful as it gets. There isn't a whole lot of atmosphere, just intense music with hellish vocals that are reminiscent of early Kreator and Morbid Saint. This L.P. is one of the most vicious sounding things to ever come from South America. The production is much more raw than that of Sarcofago's I.N.R.I., somewhat reminiscent of Schizophrenia from Sepultura. This rough sound really emphasizes the savage ferocity of the material. There is nothing soft about this, it's the sort of thing that would make most black metal bands cry in a corner because they could never sound this evil. There was something special about metal from the '80s, something that was lost forever and no amount of retro acts will ever be able to recapture that feeling. This music just bludgeons you over the head repeatedly until there's nothing left but mush. By comparison, bands like Holocausto and Vulcano sound rather clumsy and weak. If you're into the harder thrash metal bands, death/thrash or even early death metal then seek this out. This should definitely appeal to fans of Sadistik Exekution, Antítese and Num Skull. Standout tracks include "Dying Smashed", "Flesh Maniac" and "Samurai".
(22 Apr. 2025)
Limits of Insanity (1989)
Released in April 1989, Limits of Insanity is the second album from Attomica. Quite a lot changed in just a year as the band's second album is quite a departure from their debut. For one reason or another, their vocalist had gone away and so the bassist replaced him and the band changed their style. Instead of the insane death/thrash of the first record, this is more basic thrash metal with awkward clean singing. Compared to the heaviness of the music, the vocals almost seem buried in the mix. The guy's voice is tragically bad but somehow has a bit of charm as well. Bear in mind, this is coming from someone who likes tons of '80s heavy, speed and thrash metal. If you look at this as a totally different band and don't expect it to sound like the first one, this isn't a bad record at all. It is weird how some of these really brutal sounding Brazilian bands calmed down so much after their first albums. However, unlike Mutilator or Holocausto, this is still quite listenable. Recommended tracks are "Short Dreams" and "Knight Riders".
(22 Apr. 2025)
Disturbing the Noise (1991)
Attomica's third album, Disturbing the Noise, was released in 1991. It features yet another shift in style and a new vocalist. This time around, they've gone back to a harder sound though one that owes much more to Sepultura's Beneath the Remains than their own debut album. There are moments where it borders on death/thrash, but I'm not an expert as to when that line has been crossed or not. Either way, it's a solid album even if not nearly as barbaric or primitive as their first record. This one bears similarities to other albums from this time such as Mass Illusion from Korzus and Gladiator's Designation in that it is more streamlined that their previous efforts. Everything from the songwriting to the musicianship is tightened up and has improved from a technical standpoint. That said, it lacks the bloodthirsty savagery of the first record and the new vocalist is nowhere near as evil sounding. Everything about that one was much more raw and feral. All in all though, this is a good album. Standout tracks include "Ways of Death", Blood" and "Forbidden Hate".
(22 Apr. 2025)
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