Album Review: Atlas – Sunder (Odyssey Music)

Finnish messengers of melancholy, Atlas, return with their brand-new album, ‘Sunder’, out February 20th, 2026, via Odyssey Music.

Any time Atlas release new music is reason to celebrate as their unique combination of emotion, cinema, Northern atmosphere, and heaviness always delights. Yet, this third album feels different and a major component of that feeling is the refinement of all the elements that make Atlas special. They’ve really thought about every aspect of this album, and it has paid off. Not only is it incredibly listenable because of their heavy, melancholic ways, but it’s really interesting and so much of that comes from how varied it is.

No two tracks sound the same and early on, that point is proven with mighty aplomb as the album opens with the cinematic potency of the intro, Sermon of the Dying Light. Only to be immediately outshone by the crushing ferocity of Tower, Atlas at their heaviest, before Salt and Sulfur takes on a more modern metal form thanks to its dramatic chorus that has the vocals and melodies soar. If all of that wasn’t enough either, I Whisper Your Name Like a Curse then comes along like a gloomy wrecking ball to remind everyone that Atlas’ ability to touch the soul remains unparalleled.

How about when they combine it all into one huge sounding effort? That’s Coven of Two for you, and it’s spectacular. A hefty head banger that oozes atmosphere, cold and isolating, but incredibly potent. Throughout the album, the weight of the riffs and drums is notable, but here, there’s an edge that feels downright dangerous.

Continuing to prove just how strong they are at delivering expressive metal, the latter part of the album continues to keep attentions wholly focused on the immense sounds coming from it. Featuring splendid misery courtesy of Altar of Your Love and Anodyne. Both highly melodic, with hints of goth and industrial running through the former. With the latter pushing the heavy anthemic bar to even greater heights.

Finally, and satisfyingly, it’s all about heart-wrenching and soul-rendering melody as the title track wraps things up in atmospheric fashion. A highly melodramatic finish that few will be able to help themselves sinking into. It’s a powerful end to an album that effortlessly shows just how strong Atlas are as a band and how defined their creative sound has become.

Atlas – Sunder Track Listing:

1. Sermon of the Dying Light
2. Tower
3. Salt and Sulfur
4. I Whisper Your Name Like a Curse
5. Coven of Two
6. Altar of Your Love
7. Anodyne
8. Sunder

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