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
Dearborn and Buried
Amenra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
and I saw
the world. that comes from us
dearborn. I will remain. a world.
and death comes from my ashes.
we were called upon
there was a fire divine
remember us
and you will remain
we all fell
and overcame
bereaved
this is our soil
remember it
and it will remain
dearborn
when ashes reign
remember us
we were the flame
now when will I be wounded enough?
The lyrics of Amenra's song Dearborn and Buried seem to speak to the cyclical nature of life, death, and rebirth. The first stanza suggests a moment of awakening, where the singer sees the world that is born from humankind. The second stanza contains the refrain "Dearborn, I will remain," which may refer to the cycle of life that continues on despite death. The line "and death comes from my ashes" could be interpreted as a symbolic rebirth, where one must die in order to be born again.
The following lines seemingly allude to a religious or spiritual significance, where the singer and others have been called upon and are awaiting a sign. The "fire divine" could be a reference to a spiritual awakening, illumination, or a transformative experience. The refrain "remember us and you will remain" suggests the idea of legacy and the importance of being remembered, even after one has passed away. The lines "we all fell and overcame" could be interpreted as a reference to struggles or trials that have been overcome in order to continue on in this cycle of life and death.
The following lines speak of being "bereaved" and the soil that holds the remains of the dead. The refrain of "dearborn" seems to elicit a sense of remembering and recognizing the cycle of life and death. The line "when ashes reign, remember us" suggests that even after death, a part of one's essence still remains, and it is important to acknowledge and honor it.
Line by Line Meaning
one day I awoke
I had an awakening moment.
and I saw
I gained a new perspective.
the world. that comes from us
Humans are responsible for the world's situation.
dearborn. I will remain. a world.
Dearborn is a symbol of my existence that will persist, like the world.
and death comes from my ashes.
My death will ignite a rebirth of some sort.
we were called upon
We were summoned for a purpose.
and awaited a sign
We were anticipating a signal to start.
there was a fire divine
We received some kind of supernatural guidance.
remember us
Do not forget our existence.
and you will remain
Your memory ensures your immortality.
we all fell
We went through a difficult situation together.
and overcame
But we survived thanks to each other.
bereaved
We are grieving.
this is our soil
Our roots are in this land.
remember it
Do not forget our heritage.
and it will remain
Our history will go on.
dearborn
Our identity.
when ashes reign
When everything is lost.
remember us
Remember where you come from and who you are.
we were the flame
We were the source of a powerful force that drove us forward.
now when will I be wounded enough?
How much more pain do I need to endure before I break?
Contributed by Dominic C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@wdimaIIOfficial
what a piece!!! worth band \m/
@rv6450
i saw this live ! what a wonderfull day
@Goshoonkeys
pure.
@robertaprado87
Powerful Amenra #churchofRA
@soka2316
sick dude
@enogael
This song helped me cope with life many times.
@bentnob
this song is how it feels to be me
@v.watson4179
one day I awoke
and I saw
the world. that comes from us
dearborn. I will remain. a world.
and death comes from my ashes.
we were called upon
and awaited a sign
there was a fire divine
remember us
and you will remain
we all fell
and overcame
bereaved
this is our soil
remember it
and it will remain
dearborn
when ashes reign
remember us
we were the flame
now when will I be wounded enough?
@wizewizard1840
"dearborn" isn't an existing English word, though. right?
@nsmbo
Schitterend!