Label: Unsigned/Independent
Origin: Athens, Greece
Until We See the Light is a first-rate black metal debut that leaps across the marsh with unique, nefarious croaked vocals and glistening riffs exuding swampy distortion. Bounded by a shoreline of thoughtful soundscapes, including a passage from The Orthodox Choir of Russia, the record has a far-reaching appetite and the spring-loaded tongue of venom to satisfy it.
While most wretched sinners are dragged, kicking and screaming, into the tight confines of Hell, Animal Man Machine part the waters of the River Styx and march forth defiantly, salivating at the thought of a new domain. On Until We See the Light, the one-man Greco-Luciferian powerhouse launches flaming vocals coated in slimy riffs across murky waters in a commanding display of evil.
Raspy shrieks and lightning instrumentals have become deep-fried staples of modern black metal, staying true to the early 90’s Scandinavian platter. Various joints have modified the seasoning through the years, mixing symphonic spices with dark musical molasses to elicit a more downtrodden, tempered meal, yet monotone shrieks and growls largely still remained on the buffet table. Indeed, the first taste of Until We See the Light retains this classic mirepoix in opening track, “Transformation,” but only until the vocals are plated and served. Half growled, half croaked, these diabolical Inquisition-inspired grunts ensure that each dish is fresh and flavored, and easily carry the album above comparatively uninspired contemporaries offerings the genre.
The middle four tracks are undoubtedly the black stars of the record. The intergalactic title track embodies simplistic yet masterful guitarwork and eschews mundane blast-beats for terrestrial tom-toms and cosmic crash cymbals. Exuding unholy groans from Beelzebub, Animal Man Machine declares war in the cold, dark vacuum of space. Chilling howls circle the opening of fourth track, “Let the Wolves Lead the Way,” before the apex predator licks then kills rival bands with deadly distortion. Galloping percussion heightens fears while the lead snarler unleashes a terrifying net of lupine growls to close the track. Balancing raw aggression with touches of mysticism, “Forces of Evil” is preceded by nearly a minute of eerie synthesized notes reverberating against the untouched boundaries of the galaxy. As these synths fade into infinite obscurity, a brooding riff commands rapturous attention and returns the listener to the album’s merciless atmosphere. Orchestral elements ricochet against the guitar-forward musicianship, and vocals are used sparingly, to enhance the ominous, well-executed volley of riffs.
Soldiers of the Moon (17:47 - 21:45) Animal Man Machine - Until We See the Light (Full Album) - YouTube
Standout track, “Soldiers of the Moon,” discharges an unyielding barrage, using derelict asteroids for target practice before focusing fire on unsuspecting planets. Ghastly growls chart a course for sizzling strings to ignite a chain reaction of death, strongly channeling the legendary debut of Darkthrone, Soulside Journey. This track floats the best vocal performance on the record, simultaneously delivering zero-gravity orations and otherworldly menace.
Animal Man Machine has drawn the perfect blueprint: riffs ratcheted out of control, a restrained yet focused pace, and more croaks than a bog in Louisiana. Until We See the Light is a timeless spacecraft ready for extraterrestrial domination.
FFO: Inquisition, Mayhem, Burzum, Archgoat