ATOM BAND – return with a new live studio release
- Posted on 24-10-2026
Johannesburg progressive and art-rock group capture their live sound on a new release following a six-year hiatus
After a six-year hiatus, Johannesburg art and progressive rock group Atom Band return with High Seas Studios (Live), a release that captures the band’s dynamic, exploratory sound in a live studio setting. Marking their first 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 lineup.
Recorded live at High Seas Studios, the release captures Atom Band’s music as it unfolds in the moment, balancing intricate arrangements with the raw energy and unpredictability of a live performance. Drawing on progressive and alternative rock, with elements of jazz, blues, classic rock and indie, the album offers a fresh introduction to a band whose sound thrives on contrast, movement and experimentation.
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 lean into the urgency of their live art-rock approach. Jazzy, strummed chords and progressive arpeggios build towards a crashing chorus before opening into an extended, exploratory outro, allowing the band’s musicianship and instinctive interplay to take centre stage.
The release also marks the arrival of drummer Kwanele Khanyile, who joined Atom Band in late 2025 after first performing with the group at an intimate show. His addition brings a new dimension to the band as they return with a revitalised lineup and a renewed focus on their live sound.
Accompanying the release are live performance videos for “Dead Ringers” and “Stick,” offering a further look at the band’s on-the-spot chemistry and the performances behind the record.
Watch the video for Dead Ringers
With High Seas Studios (Live), Atom Band reintroduce themselves on their own terms: a group rooted in progressive and alternative rock, but equally comfortable exploring the space between blues, jazz, classic rock and indie. Their first release through Mongrel Records captures a band reconnecting with its sound and pushing it forward.
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