After a six-year hiatus, Johannesburg art and progressive rock group Atom Band has returned with High Seas Studios (Live), a brand-new release capturing their dynamic, exploratory sound in a live studio setting.
Marking their first official release via Mongrel Records, the album showcases the group’s distinctive interplay between duelling guitars, shifting rhythms, and atmospheric textures, while introducing new drummer Kwanele Khanyile to the line-up.
Capturing Raw Energy in the Studio
Recorded live at High Seas Studios, the release captures Atom Band as their music unfolds in the moment, balancing intricate arrangements with the raw energy and unpredictability of a live performance.
Drawing heavily on progressive and alternative rock with subtle elements of jazz, blues, classic rock, and indie, the album offers a fresh reintroduction to a group whose sound thrives on contrast and experimentation.
Behind the Standout Tracks
Opening track “Dead Ringers” draws on classic electric blues and Southern Gothic textures. The decision to revisit the song as a live recording came after guitarist Riaan Nirhoo watched Ryan Coogler’s Sinners in IMAX, inspiring him to bring a renewed sense of scale and atmosphere to the track.
On “Stick,” Atom Band leans into the urgency of their live art-rock approach. Jazzy strummed chords and progressive arpeggios build toward a crashing chorus before opening into an extended, exploratory outro.
The release is accompanied by live performance videos for both tracks, offering a closer look at the group’s on-the-spot chemistry.
You can buy/stream the album HERE.
Atom Band Features a Revitalised Line-up
The release also marks the official arrival of drummer Kwanele Khanyile, who joined Atom Band in late 2025 after first performing with them at an intimate show.
His addition brings a vibrant new dimension to the group as they return with a renewed focus on their live identity. With High Seas Studios (Live), Atom Band reintroduces themselves on their own terms as they continue pushing their sound forward.
Watch this space for updates in the Music News category on Running Wolf’s Rant.
Want to promote your business, event, product or service? We get more than 14,000 pageviews a month! Contact us for marketing and advertising options.
