To Escape - I Wish to Escape

Angry Metal Guy

As the eruption of the craft beer scene saw a proliferation of beer styles, brewers found a need to stand out from the pack. To do so they created variations on the staples, thus the proliferation in IPAs, from hazy to smoothie to west coast. I see a parallel in metal, where bands attempt to stand out with unique genre tags. Thus, there’s doom jazz or blackened thrash or various other combinations. That brings us Chile’s To Escape, a fusion of raw black metal and traditional Latin dance. Anyone drawn by something novel will immediately take an interest based on a description like that. One has to be cautious, however, because there’s a fine line between a well-executed blend of styles and a superficial gimmick. Does I Wish to Escape prove songwriter David Sepulveda a master brewer of eclectic tunes?

In true raw black metal form, To Escape is a one-man band, with all parts written and performed by Sepulveda. Sepulveda predominantly uses stark tremolos that produce a harsh, fuzzy guitar tone. Those same harsh tones, however, create evocative, memorable, and lively melodies. Remarkably, given the usually low production values of raw black, the bass is also a dominant feature, adding a complex layer of funk and soul. Then there’s the major selling point–the percussion. The promo materials promise “snaps, bells, maracas, shakers, and guiro.” While the loudness of the guitars sometimes hides these various instruments, when you can pick them out, such as the early moments of “Those Who Don’t Know,” they add charm, personality, and a desire to get up and shake your hips. Combined with the highly energetic blast beats, it becomes apparent how I Wish to Escape earns a tag as dance music.

I Wish to Escape by To Escape

If there’s one thing likely to alienate listeners, it’s Sepulveda’s vocals. He sings with such raw, naked pain that you worry about the state of his larynx. If you’re familiar with Wizard Keep or Vampiric Coffin, those will give you a good idea how Sepulveda sounds, only louder. He can sometimes reach a hysterical pitch, sounding like a pleading Gollum (“Desert in My Eyes, In Your Eyes I See”) or an eerie ghoul (“That Unbreakable Chain”), and on a few moments his emotional outpouring is so draining it leaves him wheezing for breath (“Path of Your Destiny”). In an astonishing moment on “The Infinite Chain,” he swaps the shrieks for some cleans–and he sounds quite good! Considering the lyrical content about death and the wish “to escape,” his pained vocal style makes sense. The rest of the music provides a contrast, almost a celebration, to these dark themes. The fast-paced drumming brings vivacity, and the up-tuned tremolos sound buoyant, opposite those of his fellow countryman, Sergio Catalan (Winds of Tragedy), whose tremolos are much more sorrowful.

To Escape displays impressive musicianship and capable songwriting. Much like the raw black metal of Old Nick, the music is catchy and will keep playing in your head long after it’s over. The icing on the cake comes in the final 20 seconds of the already terrific “I Wish to Escape,” where Sepulveda breaks into a triumphant Latin dance beat. There’s so much to discover on I Wish to Escape, providing plenty to surprise and reward with each repeat listen. I can find little to fault on the record, yet it still falls just shy of greatness. The vocal style can be a touch grating, and the guitars tend to be a tad too loud. The drums sound tinny, and the additional percussions, while novel in concept, fail to truly stand out. I found myself simultaneously mesmerized by the musicianship and repelled by the sometimes over-the-top noisiness of the record.

I Wish to Escape is a must-listen for fans of raw black metal. It’s not just because To Escape has crafted a unique blend of styles, but because Sepulveda has created an exciting and enjoyable record. Similar to the satisfaction of drinking a uniquely flavored stout and actually tasting the promised secret flavor, To Escape allows its various flavors to audibly stand out, mostly. For those who choose to let the raw vocals stand in the way of giving the album a listen, you may have to answer to Cherd. Singing in such a pained way against the backdrop of bright dance beats is an artistic choice that serves to highlight the coexistence between agony and jubilation. This is well worth a listen.

Rating: 3.5/5.0
DR: N/A | Format Reviewed: Stream
Label: Liminal Dread Productions
Website: Bandcamp
Releases Worldwide: July 11th, 2025

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