The Amenta Occasus
Listenable Records July 27th, 2004
By Jason Jordan
Australias The Amenta play a blistering brand of industrial-tinged, blackened death metal. And, for trivia purposes, the song titles on Occasus are no more than one word each.
Erebus introduces us to the bands overriding sound. Right out of the gate, aggression and ferocity saturate the sound waves, and its immediately noticeable that the band is immensely talented. The double-bass drumming is lightning fast, which unintentionally hints of triggers. Not really a fan of those. The riffs are above average; the growls, however, will never sway from the deep, guttural vox were used to hearing on average death metal platters (except for rare, distorted vocalizations). More change vocally wouldve been a neat inclusion. Mictlan is next, and also was the title of The Amentas first release (mini-CD). Tradition dictates most of this tracks course. Zero begins with an interesting montage between drums and industrial musings, but eventually drifts into Fear Factorys rhythmical alley. Essentially, throw Fear Factory and Zyklon into a blender, and youll get The Amenta as the unoriginal-yet-not-too-shabby product. Senium functions mainly as an interlude, while Nihil falls afterwards. The latter does manage to break away from the structural formulas utilized on Occasus. In other words, Nihil shifts frequently and is rarely content to stay in one place for too long. Geilt is of no consequence, but Sekem musters a general horror feel, due in part to the keyboard wizardry. Occasus, like Senium, is a lull. Ennea and Sangre though not brilliant are enjoyable.
You probably know what Im going to reiterate: The Amenta is a mildly entertaining band. Occasus is slightly above the mark. To recommend it, though, would be in direct opposition to my conscience.
7/10
Official The Amenta website
Official Listenable Records website
Listenable Records July 27th, 2004
By Jason Jordan
Australias The Amenta play a blistering brand of industrial-tinged, blackened death metal. And, for trivia purposes, the song titles on Occasus are no more than one word each.
Erebus introduces us to the bands overriding sound. Right out of the gate, aggression and ferocity saturate the sound waves, and its immediately noticeable that the band is immensely talented. The double-bass drumming is lightning fast, which unintentionally hints of triggers. Not really a fan of those. The riffs are above average; the growls, however, will never sway from the deep, guttural vox were used to hearing on average death metal platters (except for rare, distorted vocalizations). More change vocally wouldve been a neat inclusion. Mictlan is next, and also was the title of The Amentas first release (mini-CD). Tradition dictates most of this tracks course. Zero begins with an interesting montage between drums and industrial musings, but eventually drifts into Fear Factorys rhythmical alley. Essentially, throw Fear Factory and Zyklon into a blender, and youll get The Amenta as the unoriginal-yet-not-too-shabby product. Senium functions mainly as an interlude, while Nihil falls afterwards. The latter does manage to break away from the structural formulas utilized on Occasus. In other words, Nihil shifts frequently and is rarely content to stay in one place for too long. Geilt is of no consequence, but Sekem musters a general horror feel, due in part to the keyboard wizardry. Occasus, like Senium, is a lull. Ennea and Sangre though not brilliant are enjoyable.
You probably know what Im going to reiterate: The Amenta is a mildly entertaining band. Occasus is slightly above the mark. To recommend it, though, would be in direct opposition to my conscience.
7/10
Official The Amenta website
Official Listenable Records website
