Atavistic Decay - Immakulate Invokations

Labels: Self-Released/Night Terrors Records

Formats: Vinyl/Digital

Release Date: 16 August 2025

Tracklist:

1. Immakulate Invokations

2. Transcend The Flesh

It's gloomy this evening, making it perfect for some old-school US death/doom 7" nastiness, courtesy of Atavistic Decay. The US quartet first formed back in 2023 before releasing their 2024 Demo, via 18 Is 9 Records and Tapes and Night Terrors Records. That's where the bond formed between band and label, as after self-releasing their newest EP Immakulate Invokations digitally in August, Atavistic Decay and Night Terrors Records went on to commit it to 7" vinyl in October.

I love 7” vinyl singles/EPs. While 12” LPs have overrun my personal collection in recent years, I keep going back to the shorter format. That’s why it’s great to see both Atavistic Decay and Night Terrors Records doing it right. Starting with the title-track ‘Immakulate Invokations’, you’re hit clean in the face by some frenetic death metal that’s high in tempo. It soon slows down a subtle notch though, as Atavistic Decay drip feeds doom into the mix. As characterised by the song’s length, you can expect a slow bludgeoning as opposed to an instant assault. I’ve listened to my fair share of brutal/tech-death this year and while I am growing to really enjoy that side of the genre; the slower, murkier approach to death metal still tops it for me.

With absolutely no pause, you’re ushered slowly towards the unnerving ambient noise of second track ‘Transcend The Flesh’. It’s slow to build as you’d probably expect, given that it stretches for nearly eight minutes. The brooding loops of what sound like bass lines are joined by other forms of ambience, as well as  layers of noise that fade in and out through the song. Those textures are only joined by whispered vocals towards the end. It has its place artistically and it fits the overall atmosphere crafted by Atavistic Decay, but it also loses some of the momentum gained by the title-track.

This EP shows a genuine heap of promise and it captures a moment in time for a band who’re finding their feat. Maybe they’re taking some influence from Blood Incantation in the ambient department but the opener was the clincher for me. Can’t wait to hear what Atavistic Decay have up their sleeves next.

You can stream purchase the EP digitally from Atavistic Decay below:-

Make sure you check out their merch too!

7" vinyl copies, as well as additional merch is available from Night Terrors Records below:-

https://night-terrors-records.net/collections/atavistic-decay

Atavistic Decay Instagram - @atavisticdecay

Night Terrors Records - https://night-terrors-records.net/