#42 - Atrocity

Germany's Atrocity have been all over the metal map over their nearly thirty years of existence, starting out as a death metal band before moving into a more gothic sound in the early 90's, followed by a foray into industrial metal in the late 90's, a hiatus in the early 2000's and finally a return to death metal (this time tinged with gothic and black metal) with their latest release, 2013's Okkult.  It seems to me their winding and unconventional career arc has been largely influenced by vocalist/founder's relationship with and marriage to Norwegian soprano vocalist Liv Kristine, with whom all Atrocity members have a symphonic/gothic metal band called Leaves' Eyes since 2003, as evidenced by the increased use of soprano vocals and introduction of gothic and black metal elements into the band's sound (Liv was at one time involved in popular and influential black metal band Cradle of Filth).  Two things though that have remained consistent over the multiple years of style and personnel changes have been creative and detail-oriented musical composition and precise technical execution of it, and Atrocity excels at all of various styles they've tackled.

I enjoy all of Atrocity's work, and there are so many different looks at them I could offer you here.  I'm going to go with my favorite industrial song of theirs, which is not characteristic of much of what I listen to, but they do it so well, particular the angular phrasing, dynamic contrast and sound layering.  I do however have to call out their 1997 release, Werk 80, which compiles an odd assortment of covers of 80's pop tunes as something particularly worth listening to.  Tanz Der Teufel, below, comes from their subsequent release, 2000's Gemini.  Check it out for a catchy and subtly creative piece of fun.