Review by Krys on February 23, 2004.

Have you ever known a band's name for at least 6-8 years and over that time haven't heard a single song and all you knew was that they play power metal? Welcome to the club. Tad Morose is a perfect example of how genre tags can mislead and impair band's recognition.

Not being a fan of power metal, I don't feel particularly bad about it but on the other hand I always respected and listened to good heavy metal and Tad Morose, at least on "Modus Vivendi", is more a heavy metal act than power metal one. For those like me who have no idea what to expect, Tad Morose is a mix of Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Iced Earth and even W.A.S.P. All those bands are frequent guests in my CD player and after couple of spins of "Modus Vivendi" I'm sure Tad Morose will join that list. From heavy opener 'Anubis', catchy 'No Mercy', mid paced 'Afraid To Die' to semi acoustic 'Cyberdome' Tad Morose blew me away with its crisp and heavy riffs, finesse solos, catchy choruses and tight song structures. What makes this band even more distinctive are vocals of Urban Breed, think of a mix between Rob Halford and Matthew Barlow (formerly of Iced Earth), he is one of the best vocalist I've ever heard. Outstanding control, range and tone of his voice makes "Modus Vivendi" a pleasure to listen to and with interesting vocal lines and strong choruses guarantees multiple plays with devil horns high in the air.

"Modus Vivendi" is as solid as it gets, and fans of classic heavy metal can pick this up in a heartbeat, for the rest of us I can't see a better place to start. Enjoy one of the forerunners of heavy metal and hope of this genre.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 9
Atmosphere: 8
Production: 9
Originality: 6
Overall: 8

Rating: 8 out of 10

Review by JD on August 3, 2015.

I have been on the hunt for the heaviest guitar sounds ever since I began to love metal so many years past. By now and I have found many that would foot the bill but none that have the crown as of yet. I think I have found one, a band from France with a sound heavier than the sound of an atomic bomb below the earth’s crust.

Combining the brutal speed riffing of death metal with the earth crushing slow riffs of doom metal, Atavisma comes at you with all barrels pointed right at your head. I am truly one that is blown away by this seismic metal onslaught of a band. It is this wonderful, blood laced and adrenaline fuelled music that sends this extraordinary band head and shoulders over all others into distinction.

I truly liked each song on this EP, a stellar and powerful small collection of music that seems to pummel each one of your senses with it's brutality. My only critique with the disk here, it's that only four songs are offered up. With such good songs and powerful music delivered, this needed to be a full on album to get the bands full force. Atavisma needs to deliver it and fast.

When the next Atavisma is to be released is not known, but I for one look forward to that day when it does. Hope for that album to be coming sooner than later, the metal world needs to hear what this band offers up. I am still blown away so just pick it up and judge yourself- I’m gonna listen to it again.

Rating: 9 out of 10