Atavia – To the Old Ones

Atavia was born in early 2018. Led by Michalina Maja Rutkowska (vocalist of Datûra), Atavia evolved from a solo ambient project into a power trio featuring drummer Tomek Wazia and guitarist Szymon Stadniczeńko (Defying). The project’s moniker was inspired by Phil Hine’s concept of ‘atavistic nostalgia’—a longing for the primal, subconscious, and non-verbalized forces of human heritage.

To the Old Ones is the title of their magnificent, eight-track debut full-length album. From the very moment you press play on the opening tones of “Waterfalls”, you are immediately transported into a heavily atmospheric, deeply spiritual soundscape that demands your full attention. The album To the Old Ones is a collection of stories about encounters, journeys, and altered states of consciousness. The songs were written in various places and circumstances—by the seashore, deep in the wilderness, and amidst the urban hustle. The musical style blends beautiful ambient soundscapes, psychedelic rock, dark folk, and subtle post-metal/doom metal textures. The atmosphere here is intense, ritualistic, and spacious, treating sound as an expansive landscape rather than standard, rigid structures.

Sonically, To the Old Ones exemplifies atmospheric balance. It features highly textured and expressive guitar work, enveloping ethereal synthesizers, and hypnotic, tribalistic folk percussion that aligns perfectly with an almost ritualistic drum circle. Finally, we get to hear Maja Rutkowska’s outstanding vocal performance. She effortlessly transitions between commanding low registers, powerful mid-range melodies, and beautiful high notes, showing off her incredibly impressive vocal range through eight lengthy compositions.

In my opinion, there are two key tracks that perfectly represent the sound of Atavia: the title track, “To the Old Ones,” and the atmospheric single, “Of the Longest Night.” The former starts out sounding like a spooky folk song, but it slowly builds massive tension using doom metal and psychedelic rock elements. This track acts as a ritual summoning of those primal, ancient energies. On the other hand, “Of the Longest Night” is a deeply emotional, rich song with a melancholic vibe. It puts a heavy spotlight on the haunting and beautifully arranged vocals of Maja Rutkowska.

In terms of production, the mixing is flawless, hypnotic, and spacious, creating a strong nostalgic resonance that suits reflective, moody listening. Patrycja Zieman shot the photography for the main album cover, as well as the accompanying single covers for “To the Old Ones” and “Of the Longest Night”. The aesthetic and visual style of her art perfectly match the atmospheric, dark folk, and ambient nature of Atavia. It reflects the organic, introspective, and ritualistic themes of a record born from travels through the wilderness, by the sea, and in solitude.

This album is highly recommended for fans of thoughtfully blended post-rock, post-punk, dark folk, and psychedelic rock, as well as bands like Dead Can Dance, Chelsea Wolfe, King Woman, and Clannad. For further info visit their Bandcamp.