We’ve always flown the flag of The Lord Weird Slough Feg and its bold commitment to remain as true to itself as it is to heavy metal. A lifelong study of Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Black Sabbath and Thin Lizzy has yielded unique melodic vocals, classic metal dual guitar harmonies, excellent soloing and a charging, invigorating Celtic aesthetic. Those elements merely qualify this band’s style, but it’s Slough Feg’s unabashedly bizarre album ideas and refusal to do anything other than what’s true to its own heart that makes it inimitable, instantly recognizable, and eminently worthwhile.

With the latest album, Atavism, the name is just Slough Feg (although we’re leaving in the Lord Weird part so you can easily read all that we’ve written about this gem), but the flair and style remains the same. However, Slough Feg has been coming off two incredibly accomplished records, 2000's Down Among the Deadmen and the perhaps even superior, concept album Traveller (2003). And considering this, let’s just say that Atavism is no Traveller, not even by a long shot.

The sound quality is on par, the first few songs are once again a stirring reminder of how great (albeit a bit formulaic now) this band is, but a good deal of the tracks sound rushed or unfinished. There are far too many instrumental interludes or suites on Atavism, and you can’t shake the feeling that a bunch of those could have been made into proper, superior songs had more time been put into them.

Another problem is more subjective. Slough Feg’s second album, Twilight of the Idols, as critically acclaimed as it was by those who had even heard it, struck me as having too wide, or perhaps unfocused, an array of song styles. Some of it was goofy, some triumphant, some perplexing... none of it was bad, but it came across as a mish-mash of songs rather than a carefully put together album. Atavism comes across largely in the same way. You’ve got Sabbath-y songs, Maiden-y songs, Celtic-y hyms to make up the now familiar themes of highland warriors in the red corner and space marauders in the blue, again sometimes put together in a way that seems complete, and others in a way that seems half-baked.

Atavism still has Slough Feg’s flair and stamp of quality on it, but in light of the body of this group’s work, and coming off such triumphs as the last two records, it’s a relatively forgettable work for established fans. However, relative is the key word here, and you should listen to Atavism, but ONLY after checking out the two essential albums mentioned at the beginning of this review. Still recommended, but a bit bland, considering what this band has done before. (7/10)