Band:	Amniac
Album:	Infinite
Style:	Post-metal, Sludge metal
Release date:	June 12, 2014
A review by:	tea[m]ster

01. And The Others Just Survive
02. Ignorants
03. Rise Like The Suns
04. Discerning
05. The Infinite
06. A System Waiting To Fall
07. Our Kind, The Plague

It's not very often I re-visit an album that initially didn't click, even one that's been recently suggested by a friend. This is the case with Greek post-metal band Amniac and their debut release Infinite. Months ago I gave the album a pretty thorough listen and I can usually tell if I dig an album by one play through. Once in a great while, first impressions are hastily made and an album may grow stronger with each reacquaintance. Not with this release, unfortunately. I listened to Infinite again, at my friend's suggestion, multiple times...and...nope, it still doesn't register. Weird, too; I really should like this album but the cons merely outweigh the pros.

Post-metal's best characteristic is mood enlightened by spacey, affluent undercurrents and mystique. This aura is generally created by the use of tremolo picked noodle-y guitar sequences, reverb and electronic soundscapes in crescendo-styled formats. Infinite is on the complete opposite end of the spectrum; A straightforward, less-is-more, post-metal approach. The sound blends the bluntness of sludge with a bit of ambitious instrumentation aided mostly by peaceful melodies and distorted, abrasive, hardcore guitar work. However, the overall presentation feels a little off-course - the flow doesn't juke smoothly enough through some of the tangled and multi-phased compositions. The song writing in general is either boring and unsubstantial or too complex and nerdy for song structures that seem inexplicably complicated when they shouldn't be. The vocals, harsh sludge-style groaning and screaming, are the biggest turn-off - mostly because of the bland production. Post metal and atmospheric sludge metal vocals are suited best when blanketed beneath layers of noise and tethered atmosphere - not in the forefront. I would also be remiss if I didn't mention the minor guitar solo at the end of "Rise Like The Suns." Guitar solos? In post metal? Please.

There are some quality moments scattered throughout Infinite. The pair of minute-long tracks gives the album just enough variance and welcomed diversion from their main counterparts. Also, the ending track is a monster of a song. A good balance between heavy and soft that gives way to the last two minutes: A well-placed exclamation point consisting of head-bobbing, chugging, sludge metal clinical riffage. As a matter of fact, the hooks and riffs are the best aspects on this entire album. Ultimately and sadly, there just isn't enough of the dense -packed with rawness and intensity- type of ingredients as a whole. Fresh post-metal bands putting out their first material either have to stretch the boundaries to the limit and be unthinkably creative or really be good at using same, outdated formulas that have stood the test of time. Right now, Amniac are stuck in between.