Animals by The Ancient Unknown: Review

by admin April 11, 2025

April 11, 2025

The Ancient Unknown are back—and they’re not holding anything back with Animals, their latest prog-metal rock fusion single that dropped on February 28. The track is a grimy, thunderous dive into the complexities of humanity’s relationship with animals and the environment, wrapped in thick distortion, haunting vocals, and searing guitars.

Opening with fuzzy distortion that crackles like something emerging from a void, Animals quickly locks into a heavy, pulsing rhythm that builds an atmosphere both eerie and unrelenting. The vocals enter low and brooding, dragging like chains across stone, thick, trailing, and grave in tone. As the track pounds forward, the grim intensity never lets up. Then, just when it seems like the weight might be too much, the bridge tears the curtain open with a sharp, driving guitar solo.

This is the band’s fourth release and the first since a lineup reshuffle that’s brought even more raw, chaotic energy into their already genre-defying sound. Recorded, mixed, and mastered by Cal Benson at the iconic Steel City Studio (home to artists like Bring Me The Horizon and Deaf Havana), Animals marks the beginning of a new era for The Ancient Unknown—with more releases on the horizon and a full album slated for 2025.

Accompanying the single is a visually arresting music video that mirrors the track’s otherworldly essence. Surreal, mesmeric, and intense, it brings their off-planet vibe to Earth with unapologetic weirdness. Whether you’re here for the heavy riffs, the existential themes, or just the sheer theatrical chaos, Animals delivers. You can grab the track directly via Bandcamp or watch their YouTube video.