In the shadowed corridors of China’s underground Metal scene, Atomic Saman emerges from Shanghai as a formidable force within the realm of cavernous Doom Metal. Released through SloomWeep Productions, a Chinese independent label specializing in Stoner/Sludge/Doom music, “Saman The Doom” represents a profound exploration of primitive sonic landscapes. This recently released album positions the Shanghai-based outfit as a significant contributor to China’s burgeoning extreme Metal underground, offering their own interpretation of Doom Metal that eschews regional influences in favor of a deeply personal, abyssal sonic identity. The album unveils itself through the cavernous depths of “Fuzzonaut,” a six-minute instrumental odyssey that serves as the briefest yet most impactful gateway into Atomic Saman‘s sonic universe. Distorted riffs cascade through layers of crushing fuzz, while penetrating basslines carve channels through the bedrock of sound. The drumming provides a granite-solid foundation, anchoring the obsessive, restless guitar patterns that spiral through the composition like ancient incantations. This opening statement establishes the band’s mastery of the Doom/Fuzz combination — an enveloping, penetrating force that draws listeners into their ritualistic sonic ceremony. “F.L.Y.” emerges from the shadows with a disturbing vocal sample that dissolves into crushing riff architecture. The track develops through monolithic Doom Metal passages, built upon an unshakeable rhythmic foundation that channels raw instrumental power. The cavernous production aesthetic becomes a character unto itself, while unsettling vocal interjections punctuate the instrumental passages, adding layers of psychological unease. The alternating dynamic between vocal segments and purely instrumental Doom Metal territories creates a compelling narrative structure that bridges traditional Doom Metal with Heavy Psych sensibilities, building through repetitive motifs that accumulate hypnotic power. “Torture Machine” embodies its title through a low-tuned assault of fuzz-saturated aggression. The track’s distorted, penetrating riffs bore deep into consciousness while the cavernous sonic architecture supports obsessive, unnerving vocal passages. The guitar work reveals moments of razor-sharp solitary brilliance – cutting through the dense mix like surgical instruments wielded with precision and malicious intent. These soloing passages provide crucial dynamic contrast within the track’s relentlessly heavy framework, demonstrating the band’s ability to balance crushing density with technical precision. The album’s centerpiece, “Brain COP,” stretches beyond ten minutes of carefully orchestrated sonic expansion. Opening with clean arpeggiated guitar passages, the composition builds architectural tension before unleashing waves of distorted power. Through calculated musical crescendo, Atomic Saman develops their most profound and penetrating sound palette, seamlessly weaving cavernous Doom Metal elements with Heavy Psych explorations. The extended duration allows for complete immersion in their sonic rituals, as repetitive elements evolve and transform, creating a meditative yet crushing experience that justifies every moment of its extended runtime. The journey concludes with “Weedsky (Live in CAVE),” offering insight into the band’s commanding live presence. This performance captures the raw, immediate power of their stage delivery while maintaining the album’s established aesthetic principles. The live energy adds another dimension to their already robust compositional approach – the penetrating riffs feel more urgent, the pachyderm-thick rhythm section more visceral, and the unsettling vocals more immediate and confrontational. The cave-like recording environment perfectly complements their subterranean sonic aesthetic, creating an authentic document of their live power. Atomic Saman represents a fascinating emergence from China’s Metal underground – a band that consciously avoids incorporating Oriental musical elements, instead forging a deeply personal style rooted in darkness, cavern-deep resonance, and raw sonic texture. Their approach to Doom Metal emphasizes extended compositions built around obsessive, repetitive riff structures and granite-solid rhythmic foundations, all enhanced by high-quality distortion work and thoughtful guitar arrangements. This Shanghai outfit has created something genuinely compelling — Doom Metal that speaks in universal languages of heaviness and atmosphere rather than regional dialects. Their music appeals to listeners seeking the rawest, most primitive doom soundscapes, delivered with corporeal weight and cavernous depth. “Saman The Doom” stands as both an individual artistic statement and a significant contribution to an international Metal scene that deserves continued attention and respect.
Tracklist
01. Fuzzonaut (06:17)
02. F.L.Y. (07:44)
03. Torture Machine (09:10)
04. Brain COP (10:18)
05. Weedsky (Live in CAVE) (08:34)
Lineup
抓女巫大将军 / Guitar
gxb / Bass and Vocal
苦瓜 / Drums