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
Boden
Amenra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
a fear
that blossoms on skin
forever alone
sorrow says
carry within
regret
for everything
tear old pain away
I renounce this day and
I renounce every wound
made in my flesh
made by my flesh
are you awake? what did you see?
I'm a sudden hissing,
right behind your ear.
a white noise
but it's quiet now
I am reason
I am fear
inflict.
I call out
and you fear me
I call out
and all the brothers in the world they hear me
but the pain remains the same
The lyrics to Amenra's song "Boden" speak to the pain and fear that one carries within themselves, both physically and emotionally. The first stanza sets the tone for the entire song, speaking to the fear that grows on our skin like a dark and ominous blossom. The singer feels forever alone and burdened by sorrow, such that they wish for their bones to be buried deep beneath the earth. In the second stanza, we learn that the singer also carries a deep regret for everything that they have done or failed to do. They yearn to tear away old pain and to renounce every wound, both those inflicted by others and those made by their own hand. However, they also recognize that they are still filled with fear, and they question whether their pain is truly gone.
The song then takes a darker turn, as the singer becomes a hissing, white noise that whispers fear into the listener's ear. They are both reason and fear, and they inflict pain upon others, calling out to strike fear into the hearts of listeners everywhere. Yet, despite this power, the pain remains unchanged. The song seems to suggest that, no matter how much power one may have or how much fear they can inflict, pain cannot truly be erased or forgotten.
Line by Line Meaning
carry within
Deeply hold within oneself
a fear
Anxiety caused by a sense of impending danger
that blossoms on skin
Causes physical reaction or allergy leading to rashes or pimples on the skin
forever alone
Always alone or feeling alone
sorrow says
Sadness expressed through words
bury my bones
Wish to be dead and buried
carry within
Deeply hold within oneself
regret
Feeling of sadness or disappointment over a past mistake or opportunity missed
for everything
For every little thing that has gone wrong
tear old pain away
Remove the past hurt and pain
I renounce this day and
I reject this day and
I renounce every wound
I reject every hurt or pain
made in my flesh
Inflicted upon me physically
made by my flesh
Caused by my own physical actions
are you awake? what did you see?
Asking if someone is conscious and aware and if they have any insights or knowledge
I'm a sudden hissing,
I'm a sudden, sharp sound
right behind your ear.
Close to or adjacent to the ear
a white noise
A sound similar to static on a television or radio
but it's quiet now
But now there is no sound
I am reason
I am the explanation
I am fear
I am the source of anxiety and stress
inflict.
Cause pain or harm
I call out
I proclaim or announce loudly
and you fear me
And you feel scared of me
and all the brothers in the world they hear me
And all the people in the world can hear me
but the pain remains the same
But the hurt and pain doesn't go away
Contributed by London J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@Gambitheart
carry within
a fear
that blossoms on skin
forever alone
sorrow says
bury my bones
carry within
regret
for everything
tear old pain away
I renounce this day and
I renounce every wound
made in my flesh
made by my flesh
are you awake? what did you see?
I'm a sudden hissing,
right behind your ear.
a white noise
but it's quiet now
I am reason
I am fear
inflict.
I call out
and you fear me
I call out
and all the brothers in the world they hear me
but the pain remains the same...
@oz70nyc50
The fact that this is from a decade ago and still hold its own against today's metal just proves how this band withstands the test of time.
@dylanmcdonald6409
They capture a very unique and special aspect of pain in the music. It's good to know that I am not alone. It's good to know that we...aren't the only ones.
@kevxxxedge
Prachtige clip en prachtig nummer... AMENRA is één van de weinige bands die intens donkere gevoelens kan ombuigen tot iets moois en positiefs... Respect Mathieu. See you soon.
@bassie39dier
This band is great!! I saw them yesterday in Haarlem, The Netherlands as the support act of Cult of Luna. Amenra was even better. Thanks for this immense experience!
@JWjeweet
Ontdek dit nummer/ deze band nu net pas. Ga er wel lekker op. Dat wou ik even met je delen hah.
@pdude1911
The bass on this album is MASSIVE
@guileSkate
This tears my soul everytime I listen to it... and I like it.
@stevenroger7237
I know Im randomly asking but does anyone know of a tool to get back into an instagram account??
I was dumb lost the account password. I would love any tips you can give me
@angelobraydon9308
@Steven Roger Instablaster :)
@paultsir364
Simply thank you.You do something to my soul.THANK YOU.You have an eternal friend in Greece.