Diatom – Low Light

Hailing from Gdańsk (Poland) Diatom is a post-metal/post-rock/dark/progressive/alternative quartet comprised of; Michał Kulniew (vocals), Jakub Kolan (guitars & keyboards), Marcin Szkiel (bass), Bartłomiej Sokołowski (drums) and a guest keyboards performed by Dawid Gorgolewski.

Four years after the release of debut album Sól, Diatom returns with Low Light, the 9-track (and 42-minute length) record, released on March 26th 2026. The 9-track record continues the path forged by their 2022 debut. In other words; from the opening slowburning aesthetic and haunting keys of “Silver” to the closing slow, melancholic and emotionally weighty “From Here”, it possesses overlapping characteristics; dark and melancholic atmospheres, strong bass lines, and heavy progressive rock elements. I particularly enjoyed the way they found the right balance between heavy, doom-like riffs and more atmospheric, cinematic keys and dynamic vocal delivery. Lyrically, it is a melancholic and poetic album that covers a wide range of topics, with songs dealing with a lost love, fanaticism, sacrifice, or even a vision of the end of the world.

Low Light as a whole is very cohesive and a well constructed record, although I find songs like “Below”, “Riverbeds”, and the single “The Northern Veil” (watch the official music video below) are the most standout tracks from Low Light. “Below” is the fourth track on the album, and the first ‘heavier’ song featuring a fantastic rhythm section, and a bit more up-speed drumming, particularly in the more emotional parts. “Riverbeds” starts the second half, where it slowly rises from ponderous tones into emotional vocals and heavier guitars, until the cinematic keys emerge near the end of the song. Finally, one of the singles, “The Northern Veil”, featuring a slightly brighter sonic palette, with a more singable and harmonic chorus, compared to the album’s gloomier and more doom-inspired tracks.

The album’s striking, cold cover artwork was created directly by the band’s own guitarist, Jakub Kolan. The artwork features a minimalist, icy-blue and white photographic composition depicting massive icebergs. This consistent approach extends to the album’s atmosphere as well; being dense, multi-layered and cinematic, while the production balances heavy, ponderous guitar tones and raw emotional vocals with a spacious and multi-layered atmosphere.

Ultimately; Low Light is mainly rooted in progressive rock, as their music features odd time signatures, shifting tempos, and polyrhythms, while avoiding traditional pop song structures. However, the main focus is still on the mood and texture. Low Light is one of a hidden gems of 2026, being cohesive record, with ‘easy-to-digest track lengths’ compared to traditional, overdrawn progressive releases. The album is also ‘an ode to artistic freedom’, thanks to which the band was able to create its most poignant songs to date.

Highly recommended to fans of an atmospheric progressive rock, post-metal, and post-rock, and the likes of Dead Soul Tribe, Riverside, Leprous, The Paradox Twin etc. Low Light will appeal equally to those who enjoy the dark, moody sonic landscapes characteristic of the Polish progressive music scene. Check out Daitom’s Bandcamp to dive deeper into their sophomore effort.