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.

I don’t understand how people can be so brainwashed. Toskovat just keeps doing his thing with those scams, cloning old releases, adding a bit of oud and a cheap pendant made in bulk, and then charging four times the price. Anyways, the original Spinal Fluid was supposed to be under Ataraxia. What Toskovat launched was made purely out of rage. It’s absurd that a perfumer would have such high fees per product , not even professional perfumers charge like that. If you get the chance, when it launches, try Spinal Fluid from Ataraxia and see with your own nose which perfumer actually works better

Spinal Fluid well executed with a professional MONSTER NOSE SY Presentation 10/10 Packaging 10/10 Scent 9.5/10 Price acceptable and Worthy for Quality ending from A to Z Vision, Imaginary, Art and Voice Speaking of Striking Ataraxia back... I have been fooled by Toskovat and his fire back to Ataraxia, bought latest Domus Numeni it was just a scam of 600 Euro for cheap cologne no presentation no projection and no quality with really bad packaging.. I feel sorry I bought Desert Sermons and Inexcusable Evil earlier. And i removed my wishlist from his house

Rating bad this fragrance because Toskovat told you to do it is crazy. You basically voting down another great perfumer’s work. (Also this was the original formula so I dont even get why some people mad about it. How could this be thievery if this was the original 😭🙏)

did ataraxia release their own version of spinal or are they the same like for amaretto

Don't care about the drame so here is my opinion. Spinal Fluid is a very disturbing fragrance, and that’s exactly what it aims to be. I can’t imagine a context in which it would be pleasant to wear. And fortunately so, because its purpose is to represent war in all its horror and nostalgia. It’s a very earthy, mineral, and metallic scent that dries down into a dirty floral warmth. When you buy a bottle, you’re not buying it to wear to the office, but to own a piece of art that you can admire.

This is lowkey the worst and the most disgusting perfume I've ever smelled iml. Starts with a blast of gasoline and then it smells like fermented raw chicken with a bit of ash. Made me gag so much for the whole day, but I recognize that it's a complex fragrance and it's not meant to be wearable, this perfectly incorporates aot world. U should smell it for the experience at least once in your life

David said it was a PR stunt, not sure if that's really the case

You’re probably reading because you’re intrigued by the fragrance and want to know if it’s worth blind buying, because unfortunately it’s not easy to sample. Well, that depends on what you want from this fragrance; do you want a borderline unwearable/edgy scent? Are you only looking to buy it because you like collecting artistic fragrances or are you... an AOT obsessed fan? Whatever the reason is, I can only describe it as I perceive it. Spinal Fluid opens up with what I can only describe as the scent of photorealistic gas, so you can instantly tell there’s no other scent that smells like this. This accord constitutes the main character of the fragrance: picture mass amounts of gases strongly ejecting while filling the air with misty clouds of steam. The ejection vibe is given by a unique texture of aggressive streaky waves along with a soft-airy yet substantial facet which feels like steam slowly drifting through the fresh air. It’s meant to portray the anti-titan killing mechanism from the series and I think they’ve nailed it to do it for it’s even got a cold metallic aspect. The general character is a clean, almost bleached gasoline smell because of the transparent composition paired with the bold, slightly abrasive ones which feel both peaceful and rough at the same time. The overall effect is honestly chilling to my nose. It then softens out into a peaceful mood. A faint bliss of the ocean breeze makes its way through, carrying along demure tones of sulphuric sweet-less tuberose nuances into the edges of the formula. It feels like a sum total, like perfect synergy; for you can barely distinguish them from one another. And it’s not something I could notice without long-time testing. The floral heart remains prominent throughout its final moments, particularly in the base. Here, it truly shines, releasing silky white-tinted petals enveloped in a dark mysterious scent emanating from the abstract background. This dark core enhances the floral notes’ bloom, a common characteristic in white floral fragrance formulas. By introducing this black tint the brain focuses more on the beautiful white flowers. However, the darkness persists, subtly present in the fragrance’s dispersion alongside sulphur notes and moody hay tonalities that evoke the scent of decaying flesh. Spinal Fluid is the fragrance of peacefulness and brutality. An ethereal-smelling fragrance that evokes the idea of shaken heavens, a paradise that’s ready to fall. I think this fragrances is amazingly constructed. The amount of different tones and textures intertwine to render an exquisite symphonic composition, each note perfectly blended so that they can no be separated. In terms of actual usage, I actually think it’s fairy wearable because to me it’s not a heavy formula, but I know people that actually can’t stand it. So in conclusion, you can only try it for yourself. I cannot guarantee you’ll have the same view as me but it would be interesting to see other people try and break it down.

“Spinal Fluid” feels like more than just a fragrance—it’s a statement. The scent itself is striking: icy metallic notes with a subtle, almost electric warmth underneath, as if it were designed to spark tension. But what really fascinates me is the story behind it. This release marks a new chapter in the ongoing rivalry between Ataraxia and Toskovat. From what I’ve gathered, Spinal Fluid was originally planned as an Ataraxia creation before internal conflicts and brand maneuvering came into play. The result is a perfume that wears its history like a hidden signature—an olfactory declaration that Ataraxia isn’t stepping back from the fight. Whether you follow the brand drama or just love bold, unconventional scents, Spinal Fluid delivers on both fronts: it’s art, it’s provocation, and it’s unforgettable.

This was the original formula. Spinal Fluid has always been an Ataraxia creation, crafted by a perfumer’s nose and built on a real story. You can clearly see how David mobilized his army to react, which was expected since toskovat is slowly losing popularity. Honestly I don’t understand how anyone could think toskovat’s release is anything but a clone of Spinal Fluid. The originality, the name and the concept belong to Ataraxia and that is why it cannot be stolen or copied. As for the fragrance itself I truly enjoy it. Bold, raw and artistic, it opens with smoky, salty and metallic facets, then transforms into something hauntingly atmospheric with ash and airy nuances. Intense, different and deeply memorable, I like it a lot.

Ozonic metallic violet leaf. Edgy marketing aside it is still a rather avant-garde fragrance. The gas accord is not dissimilar to the one in Fahrenheit, albeit in Spinal Fluid it has a more airy quality. To me it feels as though it has a shimmering platinum colour with sparkling effervescence. Very pleasant, I don't get any gothic/grotesque feelings from it. Quite wearable though rather high-fashion. Would suit someone who wears a lot of white or shiny fabrics with silver or steel accessories with bleached or platinum hair.

Ozonic, mineral, gas in the opening. After 30 min it becomes a bit animalic with some flowers in the background. The drydown is very animalic with a bit of gunpowder. This is a monster or a perfume like 24h longevity easy easy and about projection is crazy for 8h. But what this perfume does the best it s that it teleports you from the first sniff in the Attack on Titan universe like i had goosebumps on the first sniff wow! Great work from Sy and Ataraxia... can t wait for the next perfume!!!

spinal fluid hits like walking into a frozen cathedral it’s cold airy sharp almost salty like ice on skin it feels eerie clean but not soft that won’t honestly that’s it it’s not warm or cozy it’s distant and weird and strangely addictive it’s the kind of scent that makes you think twice before you wear it but some days it feels perfect other days it feels too alien but it stays with you longer than you expected

"This is the most disgusting perfume I’ve ever smelled. It smells like a rotten tooth, it smells like bad breath. There is nothing more revolting in the world—don't ever smell it. I don't even understand anyone who wears it."

pure repulsion and fear in a bottle. this is not an artistic fragrance, it s a fantasy scent that you shouldnt be able to experience.

Massive performing scent based on Attack on Titan. If you want 10% discount on Ataraxia website - use code JACK10

Smells very nice. soft florals, sweet fruits. And just pure joy in a bottle. Very nice and easy to wear

Can someone tell me what the scent of fire note smells like, or has anyone been able to get it?

it smells like tonsil stones lol

AOT SCENT I NEED YOU IN MY NOSE