Polish prog has a certain sound, and I never tire of it. I recently came across Diatom and their new album Low Light, and I immediately felt at home in their style. The album released March 26th.
Diatom, like I said, come to us from Poland. This is their second album, their debut Sól released back in 2022. The lineup consists of Michał Kulniew on vocals, Jakub Kolan on guitars and keys, Marcin Szkiel on bass, Bartłomiej Sokołowski on drums, and guest Dawid Gorgolewski on keys.
This is Polish progressive rock/metal, known for its strong bass lines, dark atmosphere, and hovering melancholy. Diatom makes that sound their own with electronic elements, an alternative edge, and some truly interesting compositions. Michał has a dynamic voice, hitting high notes but also giving us a low, burning consistency.
I particularly like the songs on this album which revel in ambience and texture. The band is very good at giving us songs awash in candlelight, shadows, and even some sinister vibes. I often get the taste of Dead Soul Tribe in their sound.
With nine tracks, Low Light is quite consistent. In the first half, I love the opening track “Silver” with its slowburning aesthetic and haunting keys. I was sold immediately. I also adore “Until”, a spinetingling piece with a reserved tempo and sinister melody. I could exist within that song for hours. I also really like “Below”, a heavier track with a fantastic rhythm section. I love how the drumming seems to speed up in the more emotional parts.
“Riverbeds” starts the second half, and it’s one of my favorites. It slowly rises from ponderous tones into emotional vocals and heavier guitars. Harsh vox even filters in at one point as the song continues its upwards trajectory until the cinematic keys emerge near the end. It is such a terrific track.
The last two songs are great, too. “The Northern Veil” is one of the singles, and it has a slightly brighter sound. The chorus is more sing-able and harmonic, and it has a flowing energy that’s undeniably attractive. Then the closer “From Here” hits and is the opposite. This piece is melancholy, slow, and emotionally weighty. I like how the guitars add edge but no energy, giving us a texturally fascinating piece that I absolutely love.
Diatom has a wonderful album in Low Light. It has heavier moments, segments that filter light and shade, and great performances. They fit neatly into the Polish dark prog category while also making it their own. This is destined to be a hidden gem of 2026.
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The PROG Mind 