Atan is a young English band led by Claudia Moscoso with Andrzej Czaplewski on guitar, Jerry Sadowski on drums and Marcin Palider on bass. The musicians of Atan, even if they have a great technical background, prefer introspective ambiences to instrumental jousts. When you know that the band has invited Derek Sherinian (ex. Dream Theater) to play keyboards on 'Absentee, we were eager to discover this monster.
It's the smooth melodies and the sensual aura of the voice that dress the record in ruby and gold. 'Faces' offers stripped-down chords with oriental harmonies and a warm voice that charms. The vocals are supported by intense guitars with lead riffs and beautiful melodic phrases. Even if the technique is very present, it is not the central point of the compositions. Melody is the essential and indispensable element, as on 'Abducted', when a Petrucci-like guitar covers this track with beauty. 'Sorrow' is contemplative and suave, guided by beautiful vocals and a glowing guitar. It is a simple and graceful moment worthy of The Gathering.
'Absentee' is certainly the best track on the record, the one that encapsulates all of Atan's qualities. It begins with a stripped down riff, expressive drums and sensual vocals, and then begins a gradual increasing power guided by a beautiful solo guitar and Derek Sherinian's keyboards. The latter offers synthesizer lines in line with his work with Dream Theater: powerful, melodic and almost industrial.
"Ugly Monster" is a modern progressive Rock record on the edge of metal without saturated vocals or technical demonstration. Atan focuses on emotion with racy guitars, powerful riffs and complex arpeggios. The album is a nice calling card for Atan even if it sometimes lacks variety. A promising band to discover.