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
Diaken
Amenra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I abide.
In serpents eyes.
My demise.
And cast aside.
I will abide.
In absence.
No solid ground to be found.
Blood to the root.
I don't belong.
I played my rope,
I gave up on hope.
All alone.
I kept my head up high.
At least I tried.
When I keep my eyes closed, I'm in your arms again.
And when I keep my head down, it feels like I am home again.
When was the last time there, this is all too much to bear.
Still I keep my eyes closed, I'm in your arms again.
Memories dissolve, and I am alone again.
And when I open my eyes, I am alone again.
Ever tried, ever failed
You for hours, you for years.
In your arms again.
For hours. For years.
In your arms again.
The lyrics to "Diaken" by Amenra depict a feeling of inner turmoil and isolation. The singer's tongue is tied, indicating an inability to express themselves. They feel like they are being watched by a serpent and that they will meet their demise if they don't find a way out of their situation. However, they feel like they are cast aside and unable to find solid ground upon which to stand. They have no hope and feel like they don't belong in their present state.
The singer then reflects on their past actions, particularly their decision to give up hope and "play their rope", which could be interpreted as a reference to suicide. They feel alone and like they don't belong anywhere. However, at times when they close their eyes, they feel a sense of comfort and safety in the arms of someone they care about. They long for that feeling of safety and belonging again, but when they open their eyes, they are forced to confront reality and their feelings of isolation.
Overall, the lyrics of "Diaken" describe a deep sense of despair and isolation, while also hinting at the possibility of hope and connection with someone else.
Line by Line Meaning
Tongues tied.
Muted and restrained, unable to express myself freely.
I abide.
I endure and persist despite hardships and challenges.
In serpents eyes.
Judged and scrutinized by those who seek to harm me, looked at with fear and distrust.
My demise.
My downfall and destruction, the end of my existence as I know it.
And cast aside.
Rejected and forgotten, left to fend for myself without any support or assistance.
I will abide.
I will continue to endure, despite the hardships and challenges that come my way.
In absence.
In the absence of others, left to face my own inner turmoil and struggles alone.
In silence.
Without any external noise or distractions, left to confront my own thoughts and emotions in a peaceful yet painful solitude.
No solid ground to be found.
Without any sense of stability or security, feeling lost and uncertain about the future.
Blood to the root.
Feeling deeply and intensely, to the point of it affecting my very being and essence.
I don't belong.
Feeling out of place and disconnected from the world around me, unable to find a sense of purpose or identity.
I played my rope,
I gave up and let go of hope for a better future or outcome.
I gave up on hope.
Losing all optimism and belief in a positive future or outcome.
All alone.
Completely isolated and without any companionship or support from others.
I kept my head up high.
I maintained a sense of pride and dignity despite the difficult circumstances and the sense of hopelessness.
At least I tried.
Despite the failure and struggle, I can take comfort in the fact that I made an effort and did not give up entirely.
When I keep my eyes closed, I'm in your arms again.
I feel comforted and safe when I think about someone who cares for me deeply, even if their presence is only imagined.
And when I keep my head down, it feels like I am home again.
Lowering my head and looking inward brings a sense of familiarity and comfort, as if I am returning to a place of solace and peace within myself.
When was the last time there, this is all too much to bear.
Feeling overwhelmed by the weight of my struggles and unable to recall a time when things were easier or more manageable.
Still I keep my eyes closed, I'm in your arms again.
Despite the pain and struggle of reality, I cling to the hope and comfort of imagining someone who cares for me deeply.
Memories dissolve, and I am alone again.
The fleeting memories of happier times fade away quickly, leaving me once again alone and faced with the harsh reality of my situation.
And when I open my eyes, I am alone again.
I am faced with the harsh reality of my solitude and the overwhelming weight of my struggles once I confront the world around me again.
Ever tried, ever failed
The constant cycle of trying and failing, struggling to make progress or find solace.
You for hours, you for years.
Despite the enduring struggle and hardship, I find comfort in the thought of someone who cares for me and has been with me through it all.
In your arms again.
In the imagined embrace of someone who cares for me, finding a fleeting sense of comfort and security even in the midst of struggle and hardship.
For hours. For years.
Enduring through the hardship and struggle for extended periods of time, never giving up despite the constant pain and difficulty.
Writer(s): amenra
Contributed by Nora H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@hhc666
Their most intense song. Mass VI is a masterpiece and this track is the perfect end.
@postrockforthemind128
I listen to this song every..single..day...it is pure perfection
@user-lx5nk5jx1i
sometimes I cry to this song, it causes a storm of emotions
@Spruce-Bug
The greatest song on my phone.
@adc2483
Saw them last Thursday at Paradiso. An epic gig. Mass VI is an absolute classic.
@tavros1976
This and solitary reign are pure perfection. Real eargasm \m/
@Ghost2743
This shit is so fucking intense.
@jonashaux7542
Holy fuck, this is heavy.
@thehumanjourney1
So good
@stevenhunt6894
Ra!