Spinal Fluid

I’m back with a review of Spinal Fluid by Ataraxia, after finally getting the chance to smell it thanks to Tudor (the creator of the brand). First off, let me just say this fragrance is finally the best representation of the Attack on Titan universe I’ve ever experienced. It blends so many parts of the series, the yellow, warm atmosphere, the steamy gas from Titans’ burning flesh, the ozonic blue sky, and the sweet touch of blue flowers. The work and passion that went into creating this perfume is honestly spectacular. As for the scent itself: it opens metallic, with a strong gas note that stays throughout the fragrance, eventually softening into something slightly sweeter. After the opening, you get a subtle sweetness close to the skin from the flowers. The whole thing feels airy, ozonic, steam, and if you smell it in the air, it’s steamy carnal. I have no idea how they managed to create a fragrance with such duality, but it works brilliantly. I haven’t tested other perfumes from Sy yet, but the complexity here really impressed me. The quality of the oils is obvious from the very first spray. The skin stays oily for about 15 minutes before it gradually absorbs, and the longevity is solid, around 7-9 hours, before it turns into a skin scent. The projection is about an arm’s length, which is exactly how I like it, noticeable but not suffocating. And let’s not forget the packaging. They’ve put a lot of thought into it, it’s unique and comes with a mini manga that’s meant to evolve into a series of stories in the Ataraxia universe 👀. Now, the part everyone wants to know: 👁️ Longevity: 8/10 – really good for such a complex fragrance 👁️ Scent: 10/10 – finally, AoT has been brought to life in perfume form 👁️ Projection: 10/10 – perfect balance, noticeable without overwhelming When it launches, I hope you’ll manage to grab a bottle. Only 200 pieces will be made, each coming with a certificate of authenticity, a perfumer thank-you note, and that mini manga about the story behind the scent. I’m beyond excited, and I hope you’ll be just as thrilled as I am, keep your eyes open, because what’s coming next will be nothing short of history in the world of niche perfumery

Spinal Fluid feels like a daring balance between the carnal and the celestial. The opening hits with a gassy, metallic charge — cold air, polished steel, a volatile spark — yet there’s also something fleshy and intimate underneath. It immediately recalls the shock value of Molotov Cocktail, but here it’s more refined, more controlled. As the fragrance develops, a surprising softness emerges: blue flowers begin to glow through the haze, fragile yet luminous. They don’t erase the industrial edges, but rather converse with them, creating a strange harmony between flesh, metal, and bloom. The drydown is beautiful — subtle skin, a breath of floral powder, and a lingering metallic imprint that feels more like memory than noise. It’s challenging, yes, but also unexpectedly romantic. You can clearly feel the Ataraxia concept at work: quality ingredients, thoughtful construction, and Sy Truong’s unique vision. If Molotov was raw protest and fire, Spinal Fluid is its introspective sibling — still provocative, but tender, complex, and hauntingly wearable.

After almost a week and having the chance to really try it out, I can finally give a proper opinion on the scent. First of all, it’s stunning. It’s both pleasant and grotesque at the same time. The opening is very diesel-like to me, but as it dries down, it becomes more beautiful and gentle yet remains equally unsettling. It perfectly fits into a world where you always have to stay alert because anything bad can happen at any moment. The perfume has three phases: a diesel opening, a floral and slightly sweet drydown, and finally a very intense animalic, dusty, ashy aftermath. The perfume is almost impossible to wash off, which shows that only the highest quality ingredients were used. This isn’t a perfume you buy to wear it’s one you buy to admire and respect.

I tried SF back when it was still in testing and it instantly screamed Sy’s DNA to me. That same raw, unapologetic energy you get in Molotov Cocktail. The gasoline and fire blast at the top is wild, almost medicinal, then it moves into that sterile heart that feels so visceral it’s hard to not feel it into your bones. Then that ghostly floral vibe is cooling it down, like the smoke clearing after chaos, though i got 0 ash from it in the drydown. I really apreciate this level of attention, making it evolve from brutal to soft, though not easy, nor pretty. It feels like it actually tells a story through the way it shifts and to me the notes send to the ideea of the war from season 4 ep. 5 from AOT.

Blast of smoke, blood, gas and flowers. Truly revolutionary and like nothing else. It is brutal and romantic at the same time. The worldbuilding from Ataraxia combined with the insane perfumery skill from Sy brought to life one of the most artistic and game changing perfumes I've ever tried. It has a bit of the infamous Molotov Cocktail DNA, which is a good thing since MC will never be produced again. A shame Toskovat copied the idea of this fragrance for a quick money grab and review bombed it with their cult following. Drama aside, a must have in any collection, especially if you are a fan of Attack on Titan.