Review by Felix on December 2, 2023.

Occasionally I moan about the injustice of the music business. Why did bands like Violent Force, Chainsaw or Poison, to name just three Teutonic examples, never get the attention they actually would have deserved? But when I listen to the farewell album of Atanatos, another underrated formation from Germany, I quickly realize that I am also no apostle of justice. This CD has gathered dust on my shelf during the last years and probably similar to so many other works of my collection, I certainly did not listen to it as many times as I should have. But now it is time for active repentance. So let me be very clear right from the beginning: “Beast Awakening” is a really good work. Okay, it does not score with a true or even “trve” black metal atmosphere and I am also surprised that M-A is speaking of black / thrash metal. For me it sounds like extreme power metal with some black ingredients. Maybe this is because of the pretty polished production and the close-to-symphonic keyboards that surface many times. Or is it just very melodic black metal? Decide for yourself, music is not maths and so there exists more than just one correct answer.

Either way, do not jump to conclusions, the clean sound and the more or less massive use of keyboards do not lead to a slack performance. I admit that the complete album lacks any form of bestiality and therefore it does not live up to its title. But the degree of metallic vehemence and furious belligerence pleases my ears. Especially the fast, intense parts deliver a nice, thundering listening experience. On the other hand, they almost violate Priest’s “Nightcrawler”. The band gives the song an individual Atanatos touch, but I do not know whether I really like this cover. Their chorus is worse than the original one. On the other hand, they lend this cozy song an extra dose of dynamic. Nevertheless, sometimes I think it’s a strange thing when underground bands cover commercially successful bastards, haha.

Coming back to the style of the album, I guess it is no mistake to understand Atanatos as a kind of link between Dimmu Borgir (before they got lost in a grey-murky bouillon of avaricious thoughts) and Slechtvalk’s great full-length “A Forlorn Throne”. Some of you might think that there must be too much pompous bombast here, but the Germans understand to present their material in a vital manner. “Beast Awakening” does not lack energy, although it is not the most impulsive release of all times. Who cares? The ten songs build a robust and strong unit. Even the closer, probably the weakest song here, has at least still some strong sections. Not to mention the real highlights – the fierce “Remembrance Readjusted” (their answer to “Tormentor of Christian Souls”) or the quite dramatic highlight “Torn by Hatred” which shines with a fantastic, gloomy chorus. But each and every song of the meticulously arranged material is worth listening and the stylish booklet in orange, yellow and black completes the cool package. Doubtlessly, in a fairer world, Atanatos would have reached a much more prominent status.

Rating: 8.2 out of 10