Labels: Relapse Records
Formats: Vinyl/CD/Tape/Digital
Release Date: 28 Mar 2025
Tracklist:
1. Heden
2. De Toorn (Talisman)
Earlier this year Belgian post-metal/extreme metal band Amenra released two EPs via Relapse Records, called De Toorn and With Fang And Claw. Both EPs look back at their career to date while also looking forwards to their future as a band. Over recent years they have become one of the most admired/revered acts in extreme music and this November, they'll be touring the UK and Europe around their much anticipated performance at Damnation Festival in Manchester.
The weight of life that sits heavy on our shoulders can sometimes become too much. With economic, personal and technological pressures (AI and social media being two prominent examples); it’s hard to switch off and appreciate the beauty, and humanity that surrounds us. This week is about doing just that for me and after a day filled with lazy solitude, being surrounded by heaviness is perfect.
Opening De Toorn with ‘Heden’, which builds very slowly from a quiet percussive beginning, the stirring musicianship of Amenra comes to life. The spoken-word lyrics are sparse yet striking, the instrumentation clear and spacial. It allows for self-inward reflection without it being sign-posted, and it shows what a band can do without dissonance or feedback ruling the recording, Obviously, this wouldn’t be an Amenra release without that heaviness and they wait until the song’s final quarter to unleash it. It’s a shock to the system in a way but also extremely cathartic and cleansing too.
Second track ‘De Toorn (Talisman)’ follows in very much the same form. Not as slow building but not immediate either. Subtle percussion and bass grow alongside melodic guitar, and more spoken-word vocals/choral ambience; though the music itself doesn’t build as expected. I think that’s kind of the point here, as nothing should be expected or be predictable in life. Amenra take that thought process by the hand and deliver another crescendo-like ending.
Ultimately, this EP will fill you with all kinds of emotions. Amenra have crafted something truly beautiful here and a live setting is the best place to experience it, if you’re lucky enough to be able to catch one of their up-coming shows.
You can stream the EP digitally and buy it on all physical formats below:-
You can also buy physical copies directly from Relapse Records here - https://www.relapse.com/collections/new-releases
Amenra - https://www.facebook.com/churchofra
Relapse Records - https://www.facebook.com/RelapseRecords
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