The group began releasing their dark Mass albums in 2003 and have been experimenting with both sound and live shows ever since. In 2013, the ensemble joined Neurot Records to release their fifth full-length album. The label was founded by Neurosis; a band that has been influential in Amenra's style and career.
Their origins were tied to traditional sludge with hardcore elements and shorter songs. They began incorporating post-metallisms into their overall sound with the release of Mass II, the first songs displaying this change of direction being 'From Birth to Grave. From Shadow to Light' and 'Ritual'. By the release of Mass III, they had completely embraced this new sound and composed longer songs.
Their 2021 record 'De Doorn', saw them temporarily interrupting their string of Mass albums because they felt this new record was not in line with what the Masses sound like and represent, De Doorn is different from those, yet still very Amenra-like. This is in part due to second guitarist Lennart's more active contribution to the writing process, something of which he had not done much in the past for some reason. He was feeling very distraught and affected due to Oathbreaker's hiatus (a band where he is the primary composer) so the rest of his Amenra mates wanted him to channel all those dark feelings into an album, an experiment that proved successful. This record itself is also different because it was exclusively composed for a string of special live performances and was only going to be a one-off affair, not an actual Amenra record; however, it turned out to be so good to them, that it eventually became their new record. The final and more distinctive aspect of the record is that it is their first sung entirely in Flemish, their native tongue, which very much fits their music. It was their Relapse Records debut since leaving Neurot Recordings.
Recurring themes in Amenra's music are the duality of birth and death, light and darkness, and pain and sacrifice. The band uses psychological and religious motives. Though calling himself agnostic, Van Eeckhout acknowledges the presence of spirituality and religion in the band's work. Amenra often collaborates with visual artists and choreographers, including Willy Vanderperre and Berlinde de Bruyckere.
Colin's clean vocals approach is very much inspired by the one and only Maynard James Keenan from Tool, something Amenra themselves do not try to deny as they have openly covered Tool song(s), specifically on their live acoustic album. Lead guitarist Mathieu is a self-taught musician and as such, many of Amenra's signature riffing and guitar techniques were devised by him alone, he had to figure them out on his own. Additionally, since Oathbreaker is on indefinite hiatus; their vocalist Caro Tanghe and Lennart's colleague, joined Amenra's roster in 2021 as a second vocalist, something that added a new dimension to Amenra's unique sound. She has collaborated with Amenra in the past so her addition was not that unexpected or out of place/nowhere.
Their style encompasses many aspects of post and non-post-influences and even though their music is not pioneering anything or creating new genres; it's still rather unique and uncomparable, proving to be very influential in the atmospheric and post-scenes, with even some 'copycats' springing around. They have a penchant for quiet clean guitar melodies passages wherein Colin's clean vocals are featured very prominently; sometimes singing, sometimes whispering intertwined with emotional and colossally heavy riffing sections wherein Colin screams at the top of his lungs using a quasi screamo-esque shriek that sounds very desperate and pained in nature. Their riffing style is comprised of semi-melodic sludge patterns, memorable and crushing in nature, very distinct and punctuated by Mathieu's own style.
Members:
Colin H. van Eeckhout (Kingdom) - vocals;
Mathieu J. Vandekerckhove (Kingdom) - guitar;
Lennart Bossu (Living Gate, Oathbreaker) - guitar;
Tim De Gieter (Doodseskader) - bass;
Bjorn J. Lebon - drums;
Caro Tanghe (Oathbreaker) - Vocals.
Former members:
Vincent F. Tetaert - guitar;
Kristof J. Mondy (RDS 220) - bass;
Maarten Kinet - bass;
Levy Seynaeve (Living Gate, Wiegedood) - bass.
Official Site
Bandcamp
Am Kreuz
Amenra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Now.
Bury me.
Where I die just.
Here and now.
Nail my torn flesh to the cross.
Thrust a spear deep in my side.
I carried my cross long enough.
Of thorns.
You.
Carried your cross long enough.
I wrote you a bible.
In blood.
With my bleeding heart on the cover.
And a teardrop on every page.
These wounds.
Will always.
Remember you.
The lyrics to Amenra's song "Am Kreuz" showcase the devotion and sacrifice that one may make for another. The opening line "I'm letting blood for you" suggests that the singer is shedding their own blood for someone they love or care about deeply. They then state "bury me" indicating that this act of bloodletting may be fatal for them.
The singer expresses their desire to be buried where they die "just here and now." This is further emphasized when they say "nail my torn flesh to the cross" and "thrust a spear deep in my side" which alludes to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. The singer seems to be embodying the role of Christ, willingly enduring pain and death to show their love and devotion.
The final lines, "these wounds will always remember you," imply that the singer's sacrifice will be remembered by the person they made it for. In a way, they are immortalizing themselves through their actions and the wounds they have sustained.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm letting blood for you.
I am sacrificing myself for your sake.
Now.
Emphasis on the immediacy of the situation.
Bury me.
I am ready for my death.
Where I die just.
Where I am currently breathing my last.
Here and now.
In this particular moment.
Nail my torn flesh to the cross.
I am willing to suffer and die for you.
Thrust a spear deep in my side.
I am willing to bear any amount of pain for you.
I carried my cross long enough.
I have endured enough pain in life.
I wear my love like a crown.
I am proud of my love and will defend it at all costs.
Of thorns.
My love comes at a great cost, like the crown of thorns worn by Jesus.
You.
Direct address to the person being addressed.
Carried your cross long enough.
You have also had your fair share of struggles and hardships.
I wrote you a bible.
I have given you guidance and wisdom in life.
In blood.
My offering to you is as sacred and significant as blood.
With my bleeding heart on the cover.
My love and devotion for you are clearly evident and present.
And a teardrop on every page.
I have cried and suffered for you.
These wounds.
My scars and suffering.
Will always.
Eternal and unchanging.
Remember you.
You will always be in my thoughts and memories.
Contributed by Bailey Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@AlexWesker1000
at 4:08 , when the female voice joins along , the song begins to turn into a soul-crushing masterpiece ,ending into an overwhelming emotional rollercoster ! '' you.carried your cross long enough. i wrote you a bible.in blood. with my bleeding heart on the cover. and a teardrop on every page. these wounds.will always.remember you.''
@Poisson-noir
I can’t really explain how this song makes me feel… But nothing makes me feel this way… Damn this song is insanely strong
@bmxnc22
Finally saw them live on the 6th in Richmond VA, best show of my life. So much energy with them, and emotion. These are true music lovers and genuinely driven artists. I love every one of them. They even played this song! It was tremendously powerful!
@Plumette14
I hope I get to be buried with this album
@AmpsforBuddha
4:07 …I feel I'm having a religious experience. Just beautiful.
@MladenMacar
Јако добро.
@GhANeC
5:40 is just too fucking much for me
@slokipapa7402
Μουσικαρα...
@acoldwoody
Holy shit.
@TudorVi
aaw, yiis!!