ANIMUS - Poems For The Aching, Swords For The Infuriated

Aquarius Records: Similar to our never-ending quest for the ultimate in demented and damaged black metal weirdness, we are also constantly on another quest, a search for the darkest, deepest, most depressive, massive, emotional, suicidal, bleak, utterly hypnotic, droney and transcendental blackened BUZZ. We sometimes do find it, but then it's not too long before we need more, and so we begin the search again. Sometimes it's harsh high end and brittle upper register shimmer, other times it's murky low end chest rattling rumble. But we tend to lean toward the fuzzy and lo-fi, the super thick, the dense and foggy, smeary smudgy and washed out. A black metal that instead of borrowing from Burzum (sigh) or Darkthrone (yawn) finds sonic inspiration in My Bloody Valentine, or M83 or even in Jeck or Basinski or Hecker or Fennesz. A buzz that is just not guitar distortion, but is instead a glacier, or a wall, or a swirl, some sort of densely striated monolith, each layer a fuzzy piece of the larger dream like whole. Past masters of the BUZZ, who were able to satiate our hunger, include Velvet Cacoon, Xasthur and Make A Change... Kill Yourself, and on the more doom drenched BUZZ side of things, slower but no less BUZZy, Celestiial, Skepticism, Corrupted even Boris.
Then there are the non metal, but still incredibly heavy masters of the BUZZ, Hjarnidaudi, Nadja, Asva, The Angelic Process...
We could go on and on and on. Needless to say. The BUZZ, and thus the drone that is inherently part of it, is critical, crucial, without the BUZZ, music, nay life! Would have no meaning. So thus we have the latest in a long line, a member of a mysterious sect known only as Keepers Of The BUZZ. Sworn to their sacred duty, passed down from generation to generation.
Animus is the name used by a young man from Israel, who has chosen the vessel of Animus, with which to protect the BUZZ. And to protect this sacred sonic disruptor, he has fashioned one of the most amazing records of ultra bleak, super personal, fuzzy and muddy, blown out and blissed out (in sound only, certainly not in mood) dirgey midtempo black metal we have heard in ages. Lilting melancholy riffs and simple drum machine rhythms are buried under a super thick wash of murky ambience, a bit like the warm fuzz of M83, but with all the sparkle and shine scrubbed off, leaving a burnished blackened gloom, hugging the lurching riffs like a dense morning fog, every element sounding muffled and distant. But this isn't really lo-fi at all. The sound here is dense and thick, heavy and strangely lush, The all encompassing and mysteriously overpowering BUZZ is draped over all of the other elements, the drums and fuzzed out riffs, drifting and pulsing, throbbing and beating, always nestled snugly beneath the surface, only the distorted howls come close to piercing the black sonic veil. Soundwise, Animus remind us of Thergothon and Skepticism, but where as those bands trudge at a truly funereal pace, Animus tends toward the midtempo, a relentless drone drenched black metal, harsh and harrowing, mournful and miserable, but so absolutely and stunningly beautiful.
Essential for all worshippers of the BLACK BUZZ!!!

Metal Archives (Originally written for http://www.heavymetalmeltdown.com): 'Poems For The Aching, Swords For The Infuriated' is an album that can never be replicated. Even if you get the same person with the same precise instruments, same recording, same emotions and thoughts, the results will not be the same, not by a long shot. This is an album of such fragility and such unmitigated brilliance that it required a single moment in time to be harnessed for its creation. There is nothing like this LP, nothing like Animus.
Animus is a one-man project out of an undisclosed location in the United States. The music reflects it: utterly single-minded, it couldn't possibly be the creation of multiple entities; it's simply too pure to be so. There's certainly nothing like the unnamed man behind Animus. While flickers of other bands might be apparent in a purely aesthetic dimension, the core of Animus is intoxicatingly unique and rises above a sea of clones and imitators like some sort of blackened phoenix. And though you might think such an album would spawn a massive ego, the exact opposite is true. The man behind Animus is extremely humble and sees himself as a tool to discover music, not as a godlike creator. This is such distant music, so separated from the rest of art that it almost seems like an entity unto itself that can't really be pigeonholed into such a category as music. The sparse linear notes, which feature no lyrics, song titles, or member names, say it better than I ever could: "Animus is none and nothing but sheer artistic devotion. No words, no musical notes -- emotions."
One might describe Animus' music as black metal, but upon further examination that's a woefully inadequate genre to apply to such a creation. It is easier to describe in relation to artists such as Summoning or AOC, where one can see that there was a connection to black metal at one point that is now a mere trace in the band's music. A more accurate phrase would be 'blackened music', which comes closer to grasping the vastness of Animus. One could even say that it is a reinterpretation of traditional rock music in a black metal aesthetic, yet driving the artistic expression of both genres further by it's mere presence in the medium. I cannot stress this enough: Animus is far, far beyond the vast majority of music today, both sonically and conceptually. The chance of someone being able to write songs more advanced than those present on 'Poems For The Aching, Swords For The Infuriated' is slim at best, at least in this point in time. The music is pure energy; not to say that it is 'energetic', but that it speaks to a holistic design rarely seen and even more rarely mastered to such a degree.
The music present is hugely minimalistic, making 'Transilvanian Hunger' seem like 'Focus' in comparison. Songs from six to thirteen minutes might have two or three melodies at the most. Vocals are harsh yet soothing rasps with the occasional Mutiilation-style wailing scream. The quality is raw, rawer than most, and it perfectly suits the music. Guitars are reduced to background noise, melody is concentrated in sparse keyboards, and only the snare and crash cymbal can be easily heard as percussion. And yet it strikes me that this is the only way such an album could be made. Any more clarity would destroy the passion and beauty that defines this album very much through it's brazen, fearless devotion to simplicity and elegance. Let it be known that this is not music for those that wish for something aesthetically pleasing on a normal level, but for those who will stare into the abyss with no fear to its returning gaze. This is music for those that want to be empowered; ironically, despite how it only somewhat resembles such music, 'Poems For The Aching, Swords For The Infuriated' may very well be the closest music to the ideology and philosophy of black metal that the world has ever seen.
The opening track is a reasonably succinct description of the rest of the album: binary drumming, harsh rasps, a background of guitar fuzz, and slowly shifting synths. All the melody is concentrated in the latter instrument for most of the tracks, mostly due to it being the only melodic instrument that can be consistently heard. Atmosphere changes dramatically from song to song: here it is murkey and unsure, an internal battle filled with concern and doubt. The next track is possibly the most 'black metal' track here, with a particularly venemous vocal performance (entirely sung in ancient Hebrew) and Burzum-inspired melody. Here is when one begins to notice that the tracks on this album are not whole songs, but mere fragments of music that could go on for eternity. I'd imagine if such things were possible, Animus would be writing twenty hour songs, such is the timeless quality of such music. It almost feels as if you're getting a brief window into the immortal consciousness of the world; a brief peek into what will never end.
And yet, the most sublime and emotional performance is yet to come. The third track stands as one of the heights of music as a whole. This is possibly the most emotionally naked piece of music I have ever heard. Composed only of a lonely guitar and accompanying vocals, this is an unbelievably, heart-wrenchingly honest slip into a soundstream. Words can't describe the emotions that one feels as this enters you; Animus here ceases to be music and becomes a part of you as a person. At this point, there is no separation, no 'listening' to this album: it is now bound with you in an impossible, unquantifiable way that very, very few records can match. Once again, Animus very nearly separates from 'music' and becomes an entity of its own. This soon shifts into track four, the climax of the album, where the emotions of emotional pain and sorrow leave and are replaced by inner fire that other bands could only hope to match in conviction. This is epic music, not crafted by over-tracking vocal lines and arpeggios, but by an innate understanding of being a small part of a huge world, where one can only become a hero if you believe and do true battle with the expectations of the universe, through true assertion of the self.
The remaining to tracks function as a denoument of sorts after such emotionally taxing tracks as the last two. Five is a slow, perhaps doom-influenced track, while six is the final, bombastic closer where the drums can be heard in full and a mere two guitar riffs occur throughout its thirteen minute span. And a conclusion is reached. It is one full of fear and doubt, but it is a strong, deliberate one without remorse for its beliefs or actions. Animus has no apologies for it's music. And it should not.
This is music that must be listened to in full and in the correct state of mind. To do otherwise is to insult the perfection of such art. Animus with 'Poems For The Aching, Swords For The Infuriated' has made a piece of music lightyears beyond what most of us will ever be able to achieve. Animus has made their masterpiece with a handful of desolate chords, one drum beat, four organ notes, and the conviction of ages.
Music for sunsets over isles, music for communion with nature. Music for those of us that when the end comes will smile with the knowledge that we have won.

Metal Observer: ANIMUS form part of a new generation of super elitist Black Metal bands, trying to re-take the occultist atmosphere of the early 90s and rethinking the concept of "trueness", but at the same time creating something own inspired in milestones different from DARKTHRONE. 
Here we have a very mysterious project from the US. The band or person behind it hides well inside one concept, and both the music and the art are full of philosophy and occult feelings. How can I describe this album? Well, basically it follows the footsteps of the pretentiously called "post-BURZUM" bands, constructing a whole magic world of paganism, inner-self and nature worship. Fans of bands like DRUDKH, VELVET CACOON or WOODS OF YPRES know what I'm talking about, and the debut release of ANIMUS should please them all.
What we find here is a beautiful blood-chilling ambient, built out of sub-zero technical ability, with simple, ultra-repetitive riffs and a monotonous drum that seems like a constant heart beat. Vocals are very weird and BURZUMesque, it's truly difficult to realize if they contain lyrics or are just whispers and subterranean screams (although "2" is meant to be sung in ancient Hebrew), and the lack of variation creates an hypnotic and stunning experience that at last is pretty enjoyable. 
The production is primitive, but perfect for an equally primitive album. This is that kind of music that makes you feel elemental, fragile and dangerously exposed to emotions. Don't expect anything that will change your way of understanding Black Metal, but ANIMUS is a pretty good example of a dark way of living a genre that is re-inventing itself especially from the States. (Online August 10, 2006)

Oaken Throne: Poems for the Aching, Swords for the Infuriated has without a doubt been my favorite listen during the long hours spent creating this issue of the Oaken Throne. It is a desolate, suicidal masterpiece, and an essential purchase. The droning and desperate tenor of PFTA,SFTI speaks of hooded figures in vast landscapes, of human skulls covered in scrimshaw writing, of the milky eyes of lonely elder gods. Animus, about whom no information is provided in the liner notes, has expressed in a distant voice bleak with longing what the end will bring. Everything ages, everything dies, and no amount of spiked and bullet-belted posturing can prevent the fact that when those final moments come, even if surrounded by friends and family, you will be completely and utterly alone. If Leviathan, Xasthur, and Dragaur have caught your attention in recent years or months, then Animus have been tailor made for you. This is cobweb-covered emotional Black Metal music. Animus himself might express it best in this statement from the jewel case booklet: "Animus is none and nothing but sheer artistic devotion. No words, no musical notes-emotions." Each of this albums untitled six tracks and 50-plus minutes of music is utterly necessary. Seek it out.

Autopsy Kitchen Records: Animus come forth via Ars Magna Recordings and AMR deserve a personal mention in relation to the fine taste in ug black metal they have shown here. Xasthur be damned, Animus may just be one of the few in the near future to usurp the crown of reverb induced hell in black metal and make their own art that much more special by imbibing and utilizing...not stealing a stylistic growth on the brains of mankind. As with all tumors Animus will fester and certainly grow on your psyche so be forewarned.

Burning Black Webzine: This is a quite mysterious band, formed only by an anonymous member, who wants to remain in the shadows, the album consist in six unnamed tracks with no printable lyrics just some arcane writings at the inlay cover… well, musically, Animus is no less mysterious than its introduction, its style could be called Black Metal, but this entity seems to transcend the established Black Metal parameters in favour of a convinced artistic vision. The strong, monolithic ambiances defines the sound of Animus, with asphyxiating atmospheres created by blurry, droning, monotone and cyclic guitar riffs with some atmospheric keyboards melodies buried by the wall of guitar buzz, adding the precise aura to the whole extremely dense music… The vocals are raw as hell, reminding me the vocal work of Count Grishnack, just a little lower tuned, but equally ripping and cruel, the lower tones are reached with some interesting tuning, sounding even like a dual voice in some passages (all that increased by the blurry production). This album, although the monotone atmospheres sound varied and complete, all songs contribute with different moods, enriching the album as a whole. The first track, is quite eclectic and mysterious, while the second one is more savage and raw, the third one is the most emotional piece of this album, with some bitter and quite depressing melodies. The fourth track is an interesting blend of the savagery of the second track and the emotion of the third one, creating a unique aura; this is probably the most varied track of the whole album. The fifth track is a dense piece of Doom Metal tinged Black Metal, the whole structure of this song, belongs undoubtedly to the realms of Funeral Doom Metal, only the blurry, mid to high tuned riffing and the blackish voices maintains this piece into the Black Metal parameters. The closing track is the most introspective piece of the Cd, reaching the 13 minutes, this song, with its repetitive and hypnotic riffing will drive you to some kind of trance… The production of “Poems For The Aching, Swords For The Infuriated”, as I mentioned before, is quite raw and blurry, because there were no mastering or re-recording, but the sound is pretty descent and very fitting with the whole music. This work is, definitely, a thick, strong and complete piece of black art in its purest form… strongly recommended.

 Pull The Chain Webzine: Not the easiest release to review. The sentence printed on the back cover of «Poems For the Aching, Swords For the Infuriated» is perhaps the most suitable summarize of the music delivered by Animus. “Animus is none and nothing but sheer artistic devotion – No words, no musical notes – emotions”. I’m not sure where this band (one man project) hails from as they seem to want to remain anonymous. I guess the style could easily come under the ‘raw ice-cold black metal’ label. Ars Magna Rec. describes this album as introspective, emotional and highly evolved yet primitive black metal and this is also a good way to regard the music delivered throughout the six long songs (total playing time of fifty minutes) of this album. «Poems For the Aching, Swords For the Infuriated» is a weird, disturbing (in a positive way) album that should be given credit for both its identity and authenticity. The less convincing element of Animus musical world is for my opinion the very poor drums frameworks of the songs and regardless of how impressive and interesting sounding this album is, it can’t make up for the fact that it’s more that a bit boring. Very cold music highlighted by tortured screams: pure old school black metal atmospheres. Good work.