AMENTA, THE „Occasus”

Extreme Death/Industrial
41.58 (10 songs)
Cool songs: Nihil, Mictlan, Sekum, Snagre, Ennea
www.theamenta.com

Well isn’t this just what the extreme metal fan ordered? Talk about making a statement. I was aware of the potential that this Aussie quintet possessed, but little did I think that they would make such a dramatic leap into world-class territory so quickly. The Amenta are the real deal punters and “Occasus’ is going to go down as one of the more revered extreme metal albums of the year. Not just here in Australia, but worldwide.

The Amenta might be new name to most of you, but believe me their profile is about to explode. Forming in 2000, out of the ashes of some local Sydney metal bands, The Amenta are a simply stunning collaboration of extreme metal, the likes of which they only hinted at on the 2002 three track MCD entitled ‘Mictlan’. As a description, I am loath to label them. The word ‘extreme’ is ample enough. Synth player Chlordane thinks so too – “We certainly contain elements of Death, Black and Industrial but their definitions are too limiting when it comes to describing the multitude of sounds that we have captured on our album “Occasus”.

The Black/Death/industrial elements are most certainly part The Amenta’s song writing style. The likes of Emperor, Morbid Angel and Behemoth are names that come to mind immediately. Furthermore, the industrial/cyber/electronic part of the music sees the band traipsing the same destructive wastelands as Red Harvest and Strapping Young Lad. Yet, despite these obvious influences, for me at least, the tight, precision style riffage, the blistering speed and mechanical like hyper-blasting back beat, The Amenta have much more in common with the mighty Zyklon than anyone else. The aura of ‘Aeon’ is strong here.

‘Occasus’ is a thoroughly overwhelming listen. It hits (and hurts) like the proverbial sledgehammer. The production is nothing short of astonishing in its irresistible, all encompassing, yet slightly chilling impact. There is a phenomenal groundswell of demonic atmosphere throughout this disc that makes The Amenta sound all the more powerful and epic-like in delivery (hell, listen to the monstrous ‘Nihil’ and tell me that it doesn’t physically drain you. What a track!). The Amenta gives no quarter in their extremity, yet unlike some acts that pride themselves on their ‘extremity’ factor, The Amenta never lose sight of their song structure – this isn’t fast for fast sakes – The Amenta deliver with a meticulous exactness, each and every note perfectly transcribed.

I find it hard to fault ‘Occasus’. It is truly a devastating and thoroughly engaging listen. Musically, these guys have it all – the superbly executed Death/Black style guitar riffage from Ethion, the mind-blowing percussion (which just has to be triggered to some degree) from Diazanon (Dave Haley from Psycroptic), the sweeping keys from Chlordane and vocalist Cessium 137, whose raw, unearthly bellow provides the band with an incredible primal like feel.

Judging by photos on the discs multi-media section, it appears that The Amenta are conscious of the type of image they are keen to project. No doubt, the music comes first for the group, but visually the bands Dimmu Borgir/Cradle/The Kovenant like stylings is something that has been carefully developed. The Amenta have put together the total package, and their live performance should be a sight to behold.

‘Occasus’ has hit me for six folks. It is way beyond the expectations I had for the band. It is easily the equal of any other high profile band playing this style of cyber/industrial extreme metal (see those mentioned earlier). The impact in Australia will be extremely positive. However, as great as that fact is, it is the world stage that The Amenta are going to devour. Miss this band at your peril. Devastatingly good!!

note: 9.5/10

Tracklist

01. Erebus
02. Mictlan
03. Zero
04. Senium
05. Nihil
06. Geilt
07. Sekem
08. Occasus
09. Ennea
10. Sangre