ATTICA FADES

Introduction

Attica Fades, a duo based in the Dutch Mountains, combine their love for 70's prog, 80's goth and 90's sludge into a melancholic, dark, introspective sound. Never wandering too far away from catchy hooks and vocal melodies, they imbue their heavy soundscapes with both inner turmoil and views on humanity.

Discography

Dark Earth // 20241210

Attica Fades` album Dark Earth represents a significant evolution in the band`s discography, bringing a deeper, politically charged perspective to their usual blend of dark, atmospheric rock. Known for their introspective style, this Netherlands-based duo explores weighty, societal issues across Dark Earth, diving into themes such as climate crisis, political decay, and the resilience of Enlightenment ideals in the face of global turmoil. The soundscape on Dark Earth combines the haunting atmospheres and melancholic intensity of 70s prog rock, 80s goth, and the weight of 90s sludge metal. This album, however, amplifies their already somber tone by venturing into more explicitly political territory than their previous works like The Road Home (2022) and This Futile Dance (2021).

The album kicks off with the track "Home", an introspective yet damning commentary on humanity`s reckless exploitation of the planet amidst a looming energy crisis. The song highlights the band`s gift for balancing heavy lyrics with accessible yet haunting melodies. In contrast, "Europe is Burning" stands out as an anthemic reflection on the geopolitical instability in Europe, revisiting cold-war era tensions and invoking an apocalyptic vision of European cities succumbing to flames. The chaotic, shifting instrumentation in this track underscores a sense of urgency and fear, evoking a society on the brink.

Other highlights on Dark Earth include "Last American Slave", which critiques the contradictions in American foreign policy, and "Shrine of Enlightenment", which paints Europe as a "last stronghold" of Enlightenment ideals, struggling against forces of regression. The album closes with "Close Your Eyes", a track that addresses the themes of Western decadence and moral decay, pointing to what the band sees as the internal corrosion of Western society.

Dark Earth is an ambitious album that expands Attica Fades` sound, blending deep bass, haunting guitar riffs, and a pervasive dark tone. It`s an unsettling yet captivating listen, drawing on their influences from artists like The Cure and King Crimson while creating something distinctly their own. For fans of progressive and gothic rock, Dark Earth is both a call to reflect on contemporary global issues and a profound musical experience.

Dark Earth Rising // 20241125

Dark Earth Rising, Attica Fades' latest EP, presents a distilled yet equally immersive experience of their full-length album Dark Earth. This EP features "Rising Edit" versions of the five original tracks, each crafted to retain the layered, progressive rock structures but in a more concise format. Fans will recognize the haunting atmosphere, political weight, and melodic depth of Dark Earth, yet find these tracks more accessible, clocking in at shorter runtimes that intensify their impact.

Each edit on Dark Earth Rising is carefully constructed to preserve the narrative and thematic intensity of the originals, highlighting key elements while condensing others. The EP skillfully balances the urgency of songs like "Europe is Burning" and "Close Your Eyes," with their apocalyptic overtones and social critiques, without losing any of the emotional gravitas. These "Rising Edits" maintain the band's signature atmospheric style and complex progression, making the EP ideal for both devoted listeners of the album and those exploring Attica Fades for the first time.

For fans of dark, introspective rock, Dark Earth Rising is a powerful listen, condensing the progressive and goth-rock aesthetics of Dark Earth into a format that`s easier to dive into while preserving its brooding, thoughtful essence. This EP delivers the full Dark Earth experience, repackaged for those moments when time is short, but the mood demands depth.

The Road Home // 20220619

This Futile Dance // 20211229

Website Jannes Eshuis // Geert Goltstein