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Hometown: Sydney, NSW, AU
Label: Listenable Records
Management: Soundworks Management
Website: www.myspace.com
Sounds Like: BEHEMOTH!, Dimmu Borgir, Cannibal Corpse, Fear Factory, Morbid Angel
Genre: Metal
THE AMENTA, crudely welded together in the sickly dawn of a new millennium by Erik Miehs (Guitars) and Timothy Pope (Electronics, Programming), are an amalgam of the extremes of musical expression. Combining the uglier aspects of modern Black Metal, the atonality of Death Metal, the grit and grime of extreme Industrial and dubwise, ambient Electronica, THE AMENTA create a hitherto unimaginable combination which, while genreless and undefinable, perfectly soundtracks an era of rot, rust and ruin.
THE AMENTA is a fluid collective, utilizing any instrument, technique or musician to carve out hymns of decay and disgust.
The Amenta 2012 is:
Cain Cressall (Vocals)
Erik Miehs (Guitars)
Timothy Pope (Samples, Keyboards)
Dan Quinlan (Bass)
Robin Stone (Drums)
Beginning in 2002 with the independent release of the “Mictlan” EP, THE AMENTA, have been slowly honing and refining their craft, before releasing the completed work to acclaim from critics and fans alike. Following “Mictlan”, THE AMENTA, released the first full length album, “Occasus”, on Listenable Records in 2004. A deliberately atonal and ugly beast, “Occasus” embodied a new age in extremism. Focusing on the percussive blast of an impeccable rhythm section, the discordant growl of fractured guitar metallics, eerie and ugly samples and keyboards and a vocal presence that perfectly matched the fire and fury, “Occasus” received perfect scores and hyperbolic reviews all over the world.
In 2005 THE AMENTA were awarded the “Best New Metal Band” award by Kerrang Magazine, Australia and took to the stage for the first time. Headlining around Australia, THE AMENTA, blew minds and raised fists while simultaneously honing the aggression and chaos of their live show into what would become the second album, “n0n”.
Released in 2008 by Listenable Records, “n0n” saw THE AMENTA, step away from the safety of repetition and embrace a colder, dirty aesthetic. Covered in the grime of radio static and fractured vocal samples, “n0n” saw THE AMENTA experiment with a new kind of metal. Focussing on the interplay of percussion and electronics, with guitars becoming just another ambient texture, THE AMENTA, created a perfect accompaniment to themes of media saturation, terrorism and binary thought patterns. Combining over a hundred tracks per song of often subliminal detail and guest appearances from Nergal (BEHEMOTH), Jason Mendonca (AKERCOCKE), Alex Pope (RUINS) and Alice Daquet (SIR ALICE), “n0n” was ecstatically received by critics and fans.
Since 2009, THE AMENTA has been very active, touring both locally and internationally. Beginning with a European tour with DEICIDE, SAMAEL, VADER, DEVIAN and ORDER OF ENNEAD, The Amenta have been amazing audiences with an intense stage show utilizing strobe lights, fog, ambient instrumentals and a stage presence that has been described as truly confronting.
Following the destruction of Europe, THE AMENTA toured around Australia and New Zealand. Once with fellow industrial noise terrorists THE BERZERKER and another with brothers in noise, PSYCROPTIC and RUINS.
In early 2010, THE AMENTA got the chance to terrorise North American hordes on a 40 date tour with VADER, DECREPIT BIRTH, WARBRINGER, AUGURY, SWASHBUCKLE and ROSE FUNERAL. Intense and confronting both on and off stage, THE AMENTA, where hailed by new fans as the most extreme live experience yet seen.
2011 will see THE AMENTA return to stages locally and globally with a soon to be announced European tour and headlining Australian dates once again with RUINS.
THE AMENTA have just finished putting the finishing touches on the new NON Studios which will be home as they write and record the full length follow up to 2008’s, “n0n”. While it is too early to describe the completed album, early signs show that it will recapture some of the organic grandeur of the “Occasus” era material, filtered through the electronic grinder of the “n0n” era experiments while focussing on creating a more ambient and extreme sound.
Now in 2011, THE AMENTA will unleash “V01D” - THE AMENTA’s response to download culture. “V01D” is an experiment. New models giving the power back to the artist and the value to the fan.
“Despite their impressive recording techniques and guest appearances, The Amenta has well and truly surpassed their former recording efforts with n0n. And while there will no doubt be a lot of people who will find the album a struggle to get through from start to finish, those who do understand will find n0n a truly unique, uncompromising and forward thinking take on modern extreme metal.”
Justin Donnelly - Blistering
“et more than anything else, the real story here is the evolution of the band as a singular entity. They're heavier, significantly darker, and just plain meaner than they were four years ago -- and this direction seems to fit them like a glove. The fact that _n0n_ demands repeat listens to fully appreciate means that they may find themselves remaining the tipple of a select few, but those that persevere are likely to discover a band that has just succeeded in topping a debut album that by most standards was faultless to begin with.”
Jackie Smit - Chronicles of Chaos
“But these are only a few examples of what _Occasus_ offers its listeners. It is quite unlike anything that you have ever heard. With a background of over fifteen years in extreme music, I can honestly say that in my humble opinion, this is one of the most revolutionary releases -- not to mention astounding maiden efforts -- to be unleashed since _Scream Bloody Gore_. It transcends the boundaries of conventional extremity, and it is the preemptive kick in the teeth that death metal was inevitably going to need at some point.
Without a single, solitary shadow of a doubt, this is my album of 2004.
”
Jackie Smit - Chronicles of Chaos
“There have been some masterful records released this year, especially in the last few months. Mastodon, Lamb of God, Dillinger Escape Plan…but, with all due respect to the music on those discs, I may be listening to the album of the year. Imagine Devolved, Strapping Young Lad and Zyklon in one shattering experience. That, my friends, is the The Amenta. Blistering speed, moody soundscapes, orchestral grandeur, apocalyptic vocals and outstanding production. This CD has it all.
Buy this. Find it, order it, demand it. Play it for your metalhead friends and make them buy it. Play it for your non metalhead friends and beat them when they complain. It should garner a place of honor in your collection. This is a truly great record”
Chris Sessions - Metal Review
“The Amenta are an Australian outfit that have been drawing interest in extreme metal circles thanks to their opening slots on big name tours with bands such as Behemoth and Deicide (who they are currently supporting in Europe). Their second full-length, Non, is an impressive display of death-infused industrial metal that explodes with pristine production and savagery that can be likened to acts ranging from Meshuggah to Decapitated. The first thing extreme metal fans should be aware of is that the Amenta, self-described as being an industrial metal band, are actually industrial. Driving beats and mechanical interludes encircle choruses of high BPM drum fills, but the fusion of the two styles comes off quite well. As mentioned, a release that shifts so frequently between two styles demands a high production value and Non doesn't disappoint. The crushing vibe of the record is delivered with beautiful clarity, adding to the enjoyment of a very heavy and very unique band.”
Bill Walsh - Exclaim.Ca
“It would have been easy for The Amenta to do something half-arsed when they’re giving it away free as a download, but with "V01D" they instead continue to uphold their reputation as one of the best Australian underground acts in circulation. And it costs you nothing, so seek it out.”
Brian Giffin - Loud
“The Amenta‘s 2008 album n0n was such an extreme, brutal piece of mindfuckery that I couldn’t resist it, and still can’t. The band took elements of black metal and death metal and stewed it in a smoking vat of industrial rhythms and synthesized noise. The result was something cold, vicious, disgusting, nihilistic, raging, hate-fueled — and yet often as catchy as ebola in its rhythmic hooks and small infusions of melody.”
Islander - No Clean Singing
“VO1D has got to be one of the most eerie, punishing, flawless, inspiring, sinisterly beautiful and intense E.P's that I've ever had the pleasure of listening to, and that is why it absolutely deserves my personal 100/100.”
SSFAUST - Voltage Media
