REVIEW: Allt - Ataraxia
- Alex Boyd
- 1 hour ago
- 2 min read
Sweden has gifted many wonderful artists to heavy music over the years including MESHUGGAH, VILDHJARTA, THROWN and other renowned acts. ALLT had been a rising star from this scene, taking some of the technical and progressive stylings of VILDHJARTA and applying it to a more palatable metalcore sound. However, with their sophomore album Ataraxia, they have elected to move away from these elements that once provided great intrigue, now in favour of a much safer and sanitised alt-metal sound.
ALLT being the Swedish word for everything means they have truly lived up to their namesake on this release. The opening track New Day begins with the unrivalled low-tuned barrage of chugs and harmonics against a backdrop of shimmering clean guitars that are the staple of the Thall sound this band has come from. Immediately however, the song takes a sharp turn into auto-tuned hip-hop style vocals, reminiscent almost of the stylings we have come to see from BAD OMENS or SLEEP TOKEN. Seemingly this sets the tone of the album to come, a collection of contrasts and contradictions cemented in the modern metalcore context we have all become quite familiar with.
In similar fashion, the following track Omerta hits a number of stylistic features we would have heard from Nu-metalcore artists such as DARKE COMPLEX, leaning more into the hip-hop sounds of the 2010s, which is another surprising moment for ALLT. Not an unwelcome choice stylistically however, as few other artists of note have attempted to pursue this specific blend of sub-genres. As we delve further through the tracklist, we're shown more and more of Robin Malmgren's sheer vocal range, particularly in tracks such as Nevermind, Enemy, and Ultraviolence that seem to heavily focus on the softness of his singing amidst the tight and practiced technique of his screamed vocals featuring across the rest of each track.
It’s clear that the intention for this album was to be more measured, composed and a reflection of personal experience, which can be appreciated in that regard, but it seems we now stand at a turning point in heavy music. We can continue down this path of safety, of countless layers of synth tracks and over-produced vocals, or we can take risks. Other artists that have released this month have shown it is possible to find success in the chaos and abrasiveness that comes with entrenching oneself in life and truly experiencing the sub-culture that metal comes from.
All in all, ALLT has missed the mark on this one. A truly astounding group of insanely talented musicians who seem to have succumbed to trends and the need to stay favourable to the algorithm. That’s not to say that this album won't do well though. It’s very likely some of these songs will end up on notable Spotify editorial playlists and alternative radio stations, achieving this commercial success on the surface. However, there is a likelihood that these songs will fade into the ether, neither memorable or infectious enough to leave their mark.
Score: 5/10
Ataraxia will be released on 31st July 2026 via Century Media Records.
Words: Alex Boyd
Photos: Allt
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