Atlas Losing Grip – Currents

After establishing themselves as a punk-metal powerhouse over in Europe, Swedish quintet Atlas Losing Grip has turned stateside to join up with Creator-Destructor Records.  After a few good listens, it’s pretty clear why the label jumped at the opportunity to bring home this foreign trophy and hype the band’s latest full length, Currents.  Make no mistake about it, Currents is one heck of an all-in-one stop for decidedly epic tuneage, meaning that there has never been a better time to get to know Atlas Losing Grip.

The band’s talents lie in their marriage of steady melodic punk (think, No Use For A Name) with the playfulness and ambition of power/speed metal (i.e. anything from the Century Media Records family).  Fans of technical punk will absolutely love the blood pumping militant edge coursing through Currents.  For instance, the chugging, combative riffs and buzzsaw vocals on tracks like “Nemesis” have Supporting Caste-era Propagandhi influences practically plastered all over them.  Others like “Cynosure” and “Cast Anchor” navigate the brash terrain with simple but sweeping melodic choruses not unlike those of labelmates Heartsounds.  

But it’s the finesse rather than excess that truly defines Atlas Losing Grip.  Take the brooding, layered guitars of opener “Sinking Ship.”  Before marching headlong into the furious bashing of drums and a melodic punk pace, the band twists and turns through crisp, weighted but controlled metal tipped chords.  During these moments Currents glisten and gleams in anticipation, like a freshly polished suit of armour yearning for the battlefield.  In other words, Atlas Losing Grip builds anticipation every bit as tactfully as they race to the climax.  Such foresight makes the heavy glow of slow burning ballad “Closure” and mid-tempo tune “Kings And Fools” feel right at home amidst their pulse pounding brethren.  Fans of Rise Against may be surprised by just how strongly they stand to connect with tracks like “The End.”  

Atlas Losing Grip holds all the markers of a band in its prime.  Ripe with inspiration and keen on motivation, Currents stands as a beacon of modern punk-metal.  Creator-Destructor Records couldn’t have chosen a better moment to introduce its following to these furious swedes, and unleash Atlas Losing Grip on a new, unsuspecting audience.  What a way to roll out the new year.