The veteran Israeli collective formerly known as Subterranean Masquerade has completed its metamorphosis, emerging under the moniker SUBMASQ to document a new phase of their artistic trajectory. Their seventh full-length, “Spirit Animal,” marks a strategic and commercial pivot through their debut on US-based Willowtip Records. At its conceptual core, the record unfolds as an autobiographical, visceral excavation navigating trauma, addiction, bipolar disorder, and collective memory, anchored by the perennial search for identity and belonging. All lyrical content bears the signature of frontman Davidavi “Vidi” Dolev. The album maintains a notably high technical profile throughout. Guitarist Tomer Pink assumes production duties, with tracking completed across multiple international studios; drums were recorded by Alexander Backlund at Sweden’s Fascination Street Studios. The mixing was entrusted to Adam Noble (Paul McCartney, Biffy Clyro, Nothing But Thieves), while mastering was handled by the renowned engineer Robin Schmidt. The opening track “Cardamom” (feat. Bumblefoot) immediately establishes the album’s stylistic architecture. It fuses the rhythmic impact of Progressive Metal with layered ethnic percussion and tablas played by Yatziv Caspi and Matan Shmueli, anchored by the Middle Eastern resonance of oud and bouzouki under Idan Amsalem’s direction. Shai Yallin’s string arrangements weave seamlessly into the composition before guest guitarist Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal enters with a defining solo, heightening the piece’s pathos and intensity. Dolev’s vocal delivery remains incisive throughout, channeling passion into the lyrical narrative. Released as the first promotional single, “Monuments” demonstrates SUBMASQ’s capacity to bridge accessible songwriting with intricate orchestral frameworks. Yallin’s arrangements extend beyond instrumental textures, integrating counter-melodies into the vocal lines. The composition navigates modern, technically demanding Progressive Metal passages while maintaining precise guitar-keyboard balance and rhythmic clarity. in “Mechanical Prayers,” the lyrical tension surrounding dependency and internal conflict deepens. Instrumentally, Idan Amsalem’s composed string parts (alongside oud/bouzouki) interlock with Matan Shmueli’s percussive motifs. The band skillfully blends traditional Israeli musical phrasing with folkloric rhythms and melodic development, gradually merging into Progressive Metal territory. More rhythmically driven and melodically oriented, the piece balances engaging structural passages with elaborate arrangements, sustained by Oriental tonalities and progressive formalism. Composed by guitarist Or Shalev, “Calypso” explores Folk and Ethno-Rock dynamics through the convergence of Shmueli’s ritual percussion and Amsalem’s traditional string instruments (oud, bouzouki). Loaded with dramatic tension, it develops through a sustained crescendo that erupts into an accelerated Progressive Metal cadence. The climax elevates both compositional architecture and executional precision, culminating in a second half that drifts into desert-tinged Ethno-Rock atmospheres before resolving into a choral swell. Also penned by Shalev, “Anger” channels the processing of anger and emotional trauma. Sonic aggression is tempered by Yallin’s string refinement and the ethnic coloration provided by Amsalem and Shmueli. Emerging from an Ethno-Rock introduction, the track evolves in constant dynamic expansion into refined Progressive Rock with symphonic and technical undertones. Frequent metric modulations highlight the rhythm section’s cohesion, while vocal duets introduce an operatic dimension to the texture. The composition’s structural rigor is further emphasized by a focused guitar solo that precedes a final choral crescendo, rendered with deliberate, symphonic weight. Serving as the second single, “Sanctified” adopts a nearly cathartic atmosphere. Roni Fishbein’s backing vocals enrich Dolev’s central performance without overshadowing it. The piece builds intensity organically over its runtime, foregrounding songwriting cohesion over technical display. Less overtly complex but denser in emotional resonance, it showcases Dolev’s nuanced vocal control and the band’s ability to convey weight through restraint. “Uman Inshallah” serves as a thematic pivot where the search for belonging and collective memory become explicit. Guided by Shmueli’s percussion and Yallin’s keyboards/handpan textures, the track maintains a compelling rhythmic foundation while introducing deliberate sonic exploration. The composition’s dynamic architecture reflects the band’s polyphonic approach, balancing personal expression with structural experimentation. Penultimate chapter of the record, “The Unlucky” examines human vulnerability and mental fragility, supported by Golan Farhi’s bass foundation and Yalon Schori’s drumwork. Vocal interplay is central, alternating falsetto passages with direct delivery and brief excursions into harsh textures, effectively utilizing the full vocal spectrum. Amidst frequent time signature shifts, the rhythm section anchors odd meters with precision, allowing guitar and keyboard layers to develop in unison. The track alternates between tightly woven Progressive Metal sections and softer Progressive Rock counterpoints, forming one of the album’s strongest compositional statements. The closing movement “Trust” returns to Yallin’s string arrangements, Fishbein’s backing vocals, and Shmueli’s percussion, augmented by Oren Tsor’s violin and Noa Ayali’s cello. This orchestral expansion completes the record’s autobiographical arc around healing and trust. Structurally solemn and harmonically complex, it reaffirms SUBMASQ’s modern Progressive Rock identity while leaving lingering resonance that warrants repeated engagement. Following their rebranding into SUBMASQ, the official lineup now comprises Davidavi “Vidi” Dolev (vocals), Tomer Pink and Or Shalev (guitars), Golan Farhi (bass), Yalon Schori (drums), Shai Yallin (keyboards/handpan), and Dima Kogan (live guitars). The project’s visual identity is guided by artwork crafted by Yalon Schori and Shay Darvish, utilizing Moran Gross’ mask. Together, they deliver a meticulously constructed and highly compelling record. “Spirit Animal” stands as the band’s most ambitious, mature, and introspective work to date. It successfully reconciles the accessibility of memorable melodic hooks with the structural demands of Ethno-Prog Metal. Recommended for listeners seeking contemporary Progressive Metal intersected with Ethno-Rock idioms, symphonic layering, string-driven composition, and progressive frameworks that dialogue with both the genre’s foundations and its forward trajectory. The upcoming live itinerary, including a European tour in January 2027 as support for Rhapsody of Fire, further validates how this project has already secured meaningful international recognition.
Tracklist
01. Cardamom (Feat Bublefoot) (05:36)
02. Monuments (03:57)
03. Mechanical Prayers (04:34)
04. Calypso (05:18)
05. Anger (05:01)
06. Sanctified (03:56)
07. Uman Inshallah (03:54)
08. The Unlucky (05:14)
09. Trust (04:22)
Lineup
Davidavi “Vidi” Dolev / Vocals
Golan Farhi / Bass
Tomer Pink / Guitars
Yalon Schori / Drums
Or Shalev / Guitars
Shai Yallin – Keyboards, Electronics, Handpan
Dima Kogan / Guitars (Live)
Guest Musicians:
Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal / Guitar solo (Track 1)
Yatziv Caspi – Tablas (Track 1)
Matan Shmueli – Percussions (Tracks 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9)
Idan Amsalem / Oud and Bouzouki (Tracks 1, 3, 4, 5)
Oren Tsor / Violin
Noa Ayali / Cello
Roni Fishbein / Backing vocals (Tracks 6, 9)