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
Razoreater
Amenra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
seek truth.and you will find me.stay close.and you will see.speak silence.and you will hear me.
stay close and you will see.that light will always reign over your shadow.and you will never die like I did.your fire will always be inside of me.you will always be a part of me.the heart of me
The lyrics of Amenra's song Razoreater convey a powerful message of resilience and defiance in the face of pain and adversity. The singer declares that they will never kneel down, meaning that they will never submit or surrender to the forces that seek to bring them down. The knives being too sharp represent the dangers and risks associated with this resistance, as well as a metaphorical reference to the emotional pain that the singer has endured. The singer declares that they will not let a hand or a foot hold them down or mark their ground, meaning that they refuse to be controlled or dominated by anyone.
The second stanza presents a more hopeful and optimistic message. The singer urges the listener to seek truth, as this will enable them to find the singer and understand their message. Speaking in silence is another way to connect with the singer, as this will allow the listener to hear the singer's voice. The singer promises that if the listener stays close, they will see that light will always reign over their shadow, meaning that hope and positivity will triumph over despair and negativity. The singer also promises that the listener will never die like they did, meaning that the listener will find lasting strength and resilience even in the face of adversity. The fire that burns inside the listener will always be a part of the singer, and they will always be united in their shared struggles and triumphs.
Line by Line Meaning
I will never kneel down.
I won't submit or surrender
because the knives are too sharp.
I won't compromise or endanger myself
I won't let a hand hold me down.
I won't allow anyone to oppress or restrict me
I won't let a foot mark my ground.
I won't tolerate any form of intrusion or violation
the day.
The moment when something significant happened
where pain became flesh.
When suffering became a tangible reality
since that day on.
From that moment onward
it had begun.
A new phase or era had started
seek truth.
Pursue and embrace authenticity and honesty
and you will find me.
I'll be there waiting for you
stay close.
Be near and loyal
and you will see.
You'll witness or perceive something important
speak silence.
Express something without words
and you will hear me.
You'll understand or connect with me
stay close and you will see.
Remain supportive and attentive to reap the rewards
that light will always reign over your shadow.
Positivity and hope will prevail over negativity and doubt
and you will never die like I did.
Your legacy and spirit will endure
your fire will always be inside of me.
Your passion and intensity will inspire and motivate me
you will always be a part of me.
You'll have a lasting impact on me
the heart of me
The core of my being and identity
Contributed by Gabriel C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@user-ph5pi7cc6t
Eu nunca vou me ajoelhar
Porque as facas são muito afiadas
Não vou deixar que uma mão me segure
Eu não vou deixar um pé marcar a minha terra
O dia
Onde a dor se tornou carne
Desde aquele dia diante
Ele tinha começado
Buscar a verdade
E você vai me encontrar
Fique perto
E você vai ver
Fale silêncio
E você vai me ouvir
Fique perto e você vai ver
Que a luz sempre vai reinar sobre a sua sombra
E você nunca vai morrer, como eu fiz
Seu fogo será sempre dentro de mim
Você sempre será uma parte de mim
O coração de mim
@wolfhardgorus3340
After all these years, this is, for me personally, still their best song. What a masterpiece
@aheenobarbushenocied9880
Saw them live at Tampere, Finland, earlier this month, and it was my first time hearing them- they started the set with this song. They were fucking amazing. Was blown away.
@Ak0tnik
Damned be the day I had found those guys. That mix between post, doom and sludge is just adorable.
@markodon1000
Adorable is not a term I would use for Amenra lol. More like soulcrushing
@Ak0tnik
Nope, they are cute.
@Ash-np2ne
dude wow
@MLxSZ
the correct word is insane. the discussion ends here.
@Bigglesworthicus
if this is what you find cute, you must be terrifying
@nicowinkelman3576
So intense ,full of pain, dark,... all of their music, saw them live multiple times, and they still give me goosebumps... over & over again... looked up some lyrics... DAMNED
@wadungalungasertotin
The vocals suit the music perfectly. They add pure despair to the song's atmosphere.