Founded in 2017 and drawing influence from the likes of Gorguts to Coltrane to George Crumb to Ulver, Aterrima seeks to provide honest commentary on the relationship between humanity and the natural world.

The Boise, Idaho-based 3-piece uses storytelling and extreme metal to explore the feelings of reverence and inspiration that nature can provide, as well as the bitter acceptance of bleak realities about the natural world.

This manifests in a fraught musical experience, as passages of calculated chaos, cerebral eccentricity and consonant serenity intertwine to create Aterrima’s distinctive sound.

“The Killing Light” EP, Aterrima’s debut release through Mishap Records, presents two allegories that explore insect colonies as microcosms of the relationship between nature and man.

In one, an unwitting human action leads to the colony’s demise. In the other, the swarm is content to watch and wait, knowing the human’s death will provide their nourishment.

These stories are told through swaths of aurally-challenging death metal, black metal and progressive stylings that will perk the ears of those who enjoy Imperial Triumphant, Artificial Brain, Rolo Tomasi and Meshuggah.