Shortly before entering the studio to record their second album, Roger Patterson died on February 12, 1991, in a car accident at the age of 22.

Shortly afterwards, they recruited ex-Pestilence and Cynic bassist Tony Choy to record their second album, Unquestionable Presence.

Shaefer only provided vocals due to long battles with tendinitis and carpal tunnel syndrome.

[9] On July 11, 2010, Atheist revealed that their fourth studio album would be called Jupiter and was set for a November release.

In February 2018, Atheist signed with Agonia Records,[14] and the band plans to release their fifth studio album for the label.

Mike DaRonco of Allmusic said Atheist are "arguably the ultimate progressive metal band of their day".

"[18] Vocalist Kelly Shaefer said, "One of the main reasons Atheist ended up being such a strange band was we were trying so hard not to sound like anybody else that we went way overboard.