Amenra: Mass VI

All of Amenra's Mass albums focus on pain and sorrow, why they exist, and how to begin understanding them. As in the past, this album draws on band member's personal experiences so the music can be as honest and open as possible. The result might roughly be compared to the Blues, at least in spirit. The Blues, at their best, can transform pain into introspection and, ultimately, to something approaching hope. Though Amenra's musical style is obviously different in sound, it has a similar thematic quality. Because of that, many fans describe Amenra's albums as emotional or meditative—sometimes even as spiritual. This album has all those same qualities. Colin H. van Eeckhout's vocals are often harsh and primal, deep screams of uncertainty and loss. And then they are surprisingly soothing and calm, reassuring listeners if only by their change in timbre. As I listened to this album, I found myself entranced by the band's ability to balance these emotions in such natural ways. The music is often angry but it never sounds like typical angry music. Instead, it screams out in anger and pain so it can discover what comes after the screams. Each moment of quiet offers the possibility for new insights and understanding. It's an interesting experience, one that is often haunting, sometimes jarring, and occasionally beautiful. Such contrasts are important because Amenra's purpose is to create music that is as paradoxical as human life itself. The point is not to put away pain entirely but to understand enough so that it can bring hope. Listening to Amenra, even for just a few minutes, should be enough to illustrate what I can only describe in part. This is powerful stuff, but it comes at a cost to both comfort and complacency. Check out "Plus Pres De Toi," "A Solitary Reign," and "Daiken."

Track Listing:
1. Children of the Eye
2. Edelkroone
3. Plus Pres De Toi
4. Spijt
5. A Solitary Reign
6. Daiken

Added: December 5th 2017
Reviewer: Carl Sederholm
Score:
Related Link: Band Webpage
Hits: 1413
Language: english

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