Amenra interview: "We look around and take notice, translate it with our hearts into music and words"

There are not many bands out there that managed to rock the boat of extreme music as strongly as Amenra, in recent years. With just two full length records they refreshed the doom/sludge genre and now four years since their last manifestation, we are anticipating their brand new record at the end of November, to make us lose ourselves again in their music. Besides that, three years since their last visit here in Greece, we will be able, at last, to watch them live again on the 22nd of September and on the occasion of their upcoming concert they respond, with their own characteristic and laconic way, to some questions of ours.

The recordings of your forthcoming record are finally over and "Mass V" will see the light of day at the end of November. Four years since "Mass IIII" is a long time. What took you so long?
'We' took it so long. First we always need to come to 'rest' after writing and recording a new album. All of us in Amenra don't like recording in studios. It’s a contradictory time for us. We’re never in our natural habitat, and we are there to end a certain period in our lives. Recording music means you put an end to the 'process' of song sculpting. We always want to give the 'songs' their time to grow. We are really difficult persons, when it comes to make new songs, overly critical and negative. You can ask everyone we ever worked with. We make it hard on ourselves. Therefor it takes ages for us to come forth with new music we all stand behind.

The recordings took place at La Chapelle studio. I know that this used to be an actual chapel now turned into a studio. How it was to record there and what is the significance of La Chapelle?
La Chapelle means 'the chapel' in French. That wasn't really hard now. Ha ha. Like i said before we tend to look for special places or settings where we perform, or for this now, record. We had found what we were looking for in La Chapelle. Our holy house for 9 days, we burnt a novena candle the whole process. It always works best for us if we quarantine ourselves, and lock ourselves off the outside world whilst recording.

The album was produced by the almighty Billy Anderson. How is it to work with such a great and well acclaimed producer? What kind of advice did he give you?
He gave us the advice to trust his judgment, and not be so tough on ourselves. It was hard for us to work together with someone who has already 'earned his stripes'. Up until then we had never worked with someone from outside the circle, we had always done everything ourselves. It was difficult to find a common ground in the beginning. But he is an extremely talented man, and really a nice guy to hang out with. It was a great opportunity for us, to work with him. The city of Waimes (where La Chapelle is) was also special to Billy since his Grandfather had fought in the Great War there.

"Mass V" will be your debut in Neurot recordings. What does that mean for the band and in what ways do you think will help you?
It meant the world to us, to get the respect of Neurosis. Let alone being asked to do our next album on Neurot Recordings. We had never dared to speak up about it aloud. It is truly a great honor for us, it humbles us even more. It gives us a home, a place where we will always be understood. Since they have been around for a long time, and put us under their wing. it just helps us get our message and music across. They tore down walls and made a path that we are now able to walk...

The thematic elements you use -from the bleak atmosphere to the depressive vocals- seem to circle around pain. How difficult or even painful is it to gather such a huge inspiration from pain?
It is very painful, to always dig deep within yourself and go back to that dark place, of which you'd rather run away from, instead of pushing it all deeper. We just tear it all out again, time and time again, show after show... Sometimes you do not want to, but we feel we have to. It is our common ground, in times of desperation we are all peers to one another. No matter what age, sex, ethnic group. At times we all go down on our knees, and we meet each other there. And pull each other up to our feet again. We try to share our grief, whereas grief cannot be shared.

The key element in Colin’s lyrics is the human relationships. They are so emotional and powerful that I find it impossible to imagine that are written in a mechanical way. Is he influenced from life itself or it goes even deeper and gathers inspiration from his own personal experiences?
I would say all inspiration is gathered from personal experiences and those of loved ones around us. It the only thing we know. The only thing that is real. We look around and take notice, translate it with our hearts into music and words.

You have recently stated that '"Mass V" will be the heaviest and slowest album to this date'. Did you have to make sacrifices (reducing the atmospheric element perhaps) to achieve this kind of heaviness?
No, we never set goals to a writing process. We just start writing and automatically we tend to move towards 'a way', one way for a certain time being, for a period in time. We tried to keep it as close to ourselves as we could. Basic. Rudimentary. We focused on essence. Ours. The further we looked, the more lost we got.

Amenra’s members are involved to numerous projects, such as Kingdom, Oathbreaker, Syndrome and Hessian. Being involved in so many projects is a matter of need or a matter of just keeping you busy? Are there feelings that are easier for you to express with these bands instead of Amenra?
Some stories need to be told in a different language.

What does 'mass' mean for you?
A moment of introspection, where you possibly come to new insights about your own being or functioning within this world. A striving to become a better person.

Your music is extremely powerful and deeply sentimental that sometimes brings tears to my eyes. Give us an idea about the sentiments you are trying to transfer to the listener.
In moments of despair and utter disillusion, a hand on your shoulder. Picking you up again. We are the words of comfort and warmth, when you need it most.

What’s your state of mind when you write music? Does it differ from when you are playing live?
It differs yes. They are opposites. Live, we let it all go. We lose ourselves even. When writing we are the opposite. Focused.

What’s your viewpoint on religion?
There is no place for organized religion in a human’s heart, it only needs love and faith in whatever it wants to believe in. A guiding hand of a friend. Something to lead the way. Belief and faith, not religion.

It’s pretty obvious that Neurosis had a huge impact on you. From what other bands or other forms of art do you gain influence?
Neurosis, tool, crowbar, massive attack, woven hand, portishead and so forth. The list is endless. Performance art, painting, dance, monumental art, video art...everything man. From the scent of a flower to the color of my blood.

On 22nd of September you will play live in Greece. What kind of show can we expect?
The most truthful show of your lives.

What are your future plans from here and on?
Release a live CD and LP, some DVDs, books, "Mass V" and more. And that's only Amenra. Play numerous shows. Tour. Spend time with our children and families. Create. Until we cannot longer create.