Atavia, solo endeavor of Michalina Maja Rutkowska — the vocalist known from the polish Post-Metal band Datûra, was formed in early 2018. Maja’s initial musical experiments gravitated toward Ambient, Dark Folk, and Psychedelia, taking the form of abstract soundscapes. Over time, the sound of the compositions evolved toward Rock and Post-Punk, and the tracks acquired a more song-oriented structure. Later, Tomek Wazia (drums) and Szymon Stadniczenko (guitar) joined Atavia, transforming the solo project into a power trio.
Watch the official video for “The Old Ones” via the YouTube player below:
The single “To the Old Ones,” marking the debut of Atavia, is a symbolic hymn dedicated to the author’s family. It focuses on the abandonment of the old self, cutting the cord and the entry into a new dimension of adulthood.
The name Atavia was derived from the term “atavistic nostalgia” by Phil Hine, an author of books on chaos magic. Briefly, this term signifies a longing for the primal forces dormant within humans that were lost during the evolutionary process. According to Hine, humans can evoke these forces by interacting with animals — their distant ancestors. The project’s name serves as a tribute to the non-verbalized, subconscious and primitive world. This is the world from which the ideas for the album “To the Old Ones” emerged.
Lineup:
Michalina Maja Rutkowska / Vocals, Bass, Synth
Tomek Wazia / Drums
Szymon Stadniczenko / Guitar