Review by Adam M on February 28, 2017.

Immolation continues to pummel and punish with the best of them.  The new album has addictive riffs pouring forth from every corner.  It is huge in sound and powerful in terms of dynamics.  The band seems to have found a comfortable niche for itself here.  There are simply a number of guitar riffs that take center stage and steal the show. 

The entirety of the album was more satisfying for me than their previous work Kingdoms of Conspiracy.  The songs seem more focused and better written this time around with a penchant for crafting nice hooks.  Though they still aren’t quite as memorable as the ones from Unholy Cult or Close to a World Below, they are more so than the previous album.  The songs seem straightforward, but are complex enough to hold your attention.  As the album progresses, it only becomes more and more clear that this is some of the best death metal you’ll hear in 2017.  The beginning moments of Fostering the Divide are interesting and lead to one of the more memorable tracks on the disc.  The drumming is still consistently some of the more compelling you’ll hear from the genre.  Instrumentally, the guitars are driven and pummeling and make for an entertaining facet to listen to.  Ross Dolan’s vocals are similar to the past and yet still do a magnificent job of coating the songs with quality.  The music is still as punishing as ever. 

It’s remarkable how consistent Immolation has been over the years.  They add yet another jewel to a solid discography that has few low points. Atonement is up there with the best of the discography even if doesn’t completely surpass Majesty and Decay and Close to a World Below.  For fans of the band, this is a no-brainer to listen to, but those that are interested in getting into solid and well-constructed death metal will find something to like here as well.

Rating: 8.3 out of 10