ULTIME ATOME

ULTIME ATOME were a French band who released just this one album back in 2003. I've owned this for quite a few years and in fact had a review ready a couple of years ago but this band has just been added here recently.This is listed under Neo-Prog but has more in common with that Gothic style of music. The vocals though sound a lot like Fish and are quite theatrical at times. Bands like RUNAWAY TOTEM, MARILLION and IN THE WOODS... came to mind.Yes this is one of those unique albums that will have you saying "You've got to be kidding right ?". Or if your like me and enjoy dark, melancholic music with a bit of mustard you'll be impressed. Guldbamsen's heart will no doubt start racing when he sees the pinkish / purplish album cover (haha).

Meine Liebe" opens with riffs and synths as the vocals join in.This reminds me of RUNAWAY TOTEM a lot.The tempo shifts often. A calm 6 minutes in then reserved vocals come in followed by spoken words as the atmosphere continues. It's building after 8 minutes then the vocals return. He's speaking again.The guitar solos after 11 1/2 minutes then the vocals return again.

"Battlefield" is the 22 minute epic.The guitar is buzzing away in this dark IN THE WOODS...-like atmosphere. Vocals join in.The organ is swirling over top and then it all turns more passionate.The guitar solos 5 1/2 minutes in followed by some great sounding chunky bass.The vocals return and it's building before 9 minutes. It settles again before 11 minutes.The vocals really sound like Fish when he sings softly. It's building again.Theatrical spoken words 14 1/2 minutes in then the tempo picks up a minute later. Nice. It settles again with almost spoken words then it picks up to end it.

"Eternal Warrior" opens with the guitar crying out as the drums pound and synths run. It settles back and the vocals arrive before 1 1/2 minutes as it picks up. Guitar to the fore 3 minutes in. A calm with reserved vocals 5 minutes in then it kicks back in after 6 minutes. Nice. The guitar solos then the vocals return as the guitar continues.

"Dreamland" opens with reserved vocals and it's mellow.The tempo picks up 5 minutes in with the drums out front.The guitar solos late as the drums pound. Vocals are back 9 1/2 minutes in to end it.

I'm really drawn to this style and I like the fact it's in that Post-Metal vein although I can appreciate why it's listed under Neo-Prog here.

Ultime Atome is a progressive rock band from France formed around early'90's but manage to come with a single album so far named Dark visions from 2003 issued at Musea records. The music this band offers has a touch of neo prog combined with dark, intense mid tempo arrangements, and they are a little heavier then Mariilion, but the vocalist Jean Marc Tesorio is almost one on one with Fish - Fugazi era. Here are only 4 tracks, one of them clocking around 22 min, the rest are also long, with plenty of great instrumental passages who are very intricate, have an epic feel, mid tempo with lots of guitars and heavier keyboards.Also the album has a gothic feel, very dark and unique in same time, but the complexity of the pieces make them for sure a progressive rock band. So , a very pleasent album to me, very emotional, deep and with super moments make me put 4 stars to Dark visions. A solid release that needs a wider recognition for sure. All 4 pieces are great, specially the moments when the voice is active, very good vocalist and very theatrical in places like Fish was in his glory days. Recommended album and band for those who like the type of neo prog with a dark intense moments.