Chilean black metal band ATER has announced their sophomore studio album, ‘Somber’, which will see an April 19, 2024 release. Conceived in 2013 by Fernando “Feroz” Bühring, the first iteration of the group – rounded out by Matias Acuña (drums) and Yeray Santos (guitar), released their debut full-length ‘Eternal Gray Spiral’ in 2018. Shortly after the release of 'EGS', Feroz relocated from Santiago, Chile to Los Angeles – where he quickly formed connections with guitarist Josh “Sol” Seguin and drummer Stephan “Kalani” Seguin, ushering in the current lineup of the band.
'Somber' was recorded during the Covid pandemic and was mixed by Feroz in a temporary studio in Mexico City where he was bunkered in during restricted times. The album was then mastered by Ted Jensen of Sterling Sound (Mastodon, Gojira, Korn).
The first single off the new record, “Ignis Immortalis”, is out today and is accompanied by a music video, which can be found below.
Watch the Music Video for "Ignis Immortalis"
‘Somber’ Track List:
1 - Striges
2 - Descending
3 - Somber
4 - Through The Portal
5 - Ignis Immortalis
6 - Shrine
7 - Sæculi Fine
8 – Solitude
About ATER:
Ater – Latin adjective
1. Dull black (as opposed to niger, shining black); dark
2. Gloomy, sad, dismal, unlucky
ATER is an enigmatic band that was born in Santiago, Chile in 2010, out of the mind of Fernando Bühring. Originally named ¨Aeons Collide¨ it was re-named ATER in 2013. The original lineup featured drummer Matias Acuña, currently of Follakzoid, and guitarist Yeray Santos. ATER went on to become an international band led by founding member, Chilean multi-instrumentalist Fernando ¨Feroz¨ Bühring.
Since ATER´s inception, Feroz began writing and collecting riffs, and after several years of experimentation, ATER’s debut album 'Eternal Gray Spiral' was conceived. Written and produced by Feroz in his home studio in Santiago, he then relocated to Los Angeles, California, where the mix was finished and subsequently self-released in January 2018. Despite pretty much not promoting the album, for not knowing any better, 'Eternal Gray Spiral' still got some traction and has engaged with very passionate fans. By now, the album has been streamed over 200,000 times on Spotify.
After meeting at a Meshuggah show in Los Angeles, days after the release of 'Eternal Gray Spiral', ATER was joined by the talents of Josh “Sol” Seguin and Stephan “Kalani” Seguin, playing guitar and drums, respectively. This marked a turning point for the band, as they were now able to perform live. Feroz began taking charge of vocals as well as continuing to play bass for ATER and so, they moved away from being an instrumental project to becoming a full band. They immediately start playing local shows in the LA Metal scene, quickly creating a buzz.
With a new lineup and a new vision, Fernando led the composing process of a new album titled 'Somber', combining sounds from black and death metal to progressive and heavy Meshuggah-inspired syncopated grooves. ATER pushed the boundaries of the instrumentation by bringing the tuning down to low earth-shattering frequencies, all topped with demented-sounding low growl vocals. They became reminiscent of bands like Septicflesh, Hate, and Belphegor with the natural heavy ambience and clean sections that had become ATER´s signature with their first album 'EGS' (for short).
'Somber' was recorded during the Covid pandemic and was mixed by Feroz in a temporary studio in Mexico City where he hid out during restricted times. The album was then mastered by none other than Ted Jensen of Sterling Sound (Mastodon, Gojira, Korn).
Tagged by fans —who already have seen them live— as “Blackened Thall,” the new album 'Somber' can be described as one of the heaviest, darkest, and most extreme works ever created in metal. Every song on the album carries a story, creating an immersive experience for the listener from beginning to end, thanks to the album’s clever songwriting, unique structuring and heavy, dark ambiance.
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