AMENRA - Mass II

Decaying cathedrals. The march at twilight towards a sure death. Infested soil. Millions of decrepit bones in an eternal sleep. Surrounded by shrapnel, rusty bullets and locust. Cries still echo in the barren fields, remaining unheard by today's deaf society. It's on this soil that the first big war came to an end, it's from this soil that a band arose that embraces this past, this pain, this blasphemy. Formed in the forsaken fields of West-Flanders Belgium, Amenra has been conjuring unholy masses and paving their own headstrong way since 1999. Spreading their vision of a world that's out of touch with its past, present and future, they take their adepts through a world of unseen mystique. Their postmodern vision of music, existing of droning, repetitive chords alternated by gut-wrenching hauls can make an experienced listener renounce his definition of music, perhaps even his whole belief system. Amenra puts heart and soul into every note, word and image, and changes the course of people's lives everywhere their path leads. Recent history has shown an extremely confident and focused Amenra. Beside touring (recently with NEUROSIS) Europe and the US, playing festivals like HELLFEST, PUKKELPOP, FORTAROCK, DAMNATION, ROADBURN (3 times!) as on numerous shows with bands like SUNN(O), CONVERGE, RED SPAROWES, THE LOCUST, PELICAN, THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN, SWITCHBLADE, etc. the band has been branching out and taking modest steps onto what has previously been virgin territory to them with an acoustic record, a book which vulnerably offers their heart and inspiration, and various art exhibitions. Amenra forges their path while constantly gaining followers, members of the Church Of Ra, a sect, now thousands in numbers. Back to 2005! Belgium's leading doom/sludge metal act AMENRA independently released 'Mass II', a limited edition collector's item pressed on CDR and silkscreened LP, only available at a concert at an abandoned chapel in their hometown of Ghent and through the band directly. Soon after, they signed to Hypertension Records, and started work on their breakthrough record 'Mass III', while their sophomore album became a hidden gem. More than 3 years later (2008) Amenra decided to remaster and officially release 'Mass II' through Hypertension Records. Now another 4 years later, due to popular demand both band and label have decided to do another re- release of this sought after classic. The album will be available in digipack including enhanced video. With "Mass II", AMENRA delve deep into the forgotten yet painfully honest solitude, longings, disappointments and aching needs at the heart of secret selves.As usual, they create dark landscapes with cinematic qualities, creating lush, repetitive rhythms, that resonate a sense of sonic darkness. Transcending the limits of time and space, AMENRA embark on a journey of painstaking subtlety and crushing disruptions. With dense, reverberating guitar work and mesmerizing rhythms, AMENRA create colossal compositions, testament to their sheer talent Record Label: Hypertension Style: Metal