hello swirl
High-powered, infectious chugging heavy metal/crust with folk elements. Amebix always told stories well & passionately. Sonic Mass brings in full body the epic sonic narrative style of Amebix.
stevekramer242
Excellent farewell album of the Crustcore-legend. And the Killing Joke- and general Postpunk-influences are more present than on their other releases.
Favorite track: Knights of the Black Sun.
dinosaurcl
Obscure, majestic, pagan and epic. The atmosphere of this record is indescriptible in few words. Cannot wait to receive my LP. Thanks to Amebix for such a great piece of fine music.
Favorite track: Knights of the Black Sun.
Televiper
I cannot describe the ache this record engenders in me. Amebix have forged a timeless masterpiece that transcends punk, transcends metal, and speaks to that primordial essence simmering within our truest selves.
Favorite track: God of the Grain.
Over 20 years ago Rob Miller turned his back on the world, settled in the remote location of the Isle of Skye, and against the rugged backdrop of the Cuillins, became a self-taught sword smith.
History saw Amebix become a casualty of their cult success coupled with record company wrangling. Ricocheting from their Devon school, to a Dartmoor manor house to the squats of Bristol, the band became the first UK signing to Jello Biafra’s label, Alternative Tentacles. Amebix delivered the album ‘Arise’ for the label in 1985, followed by ‘Monolith’ for Heavy Metal Records in 1987.
Of the bands re re-emergence Rob says, "In these strange times the Amebix have found we have more to say".
Upon returning Amebix to active status, brothers Rob & Stig were delighted to find the bands influence had extended across the Atlantic to long-time fan, Roy Mayorga (Soulfly, Stone Sour), who jumped at the chance to become part of the band. They admit that without the addition of Roy there would be no Amebix today, "Roy has bought more than just musicianship to the band, he has bought
discipline and an understanding of what we truly wanted to convey, and the experience to allow that to manifest."
In early 2009 Amebix made their first ever American appearances, selling out eight venues across the country. Buoyed by this initial success, they returned to the US and Canada for a second tour later in 2009, as well as numerous European appearances. This tight live unit lead to the desire and inspiration to record new music, to the obvious pleasure of their legions of fans.
Amebix celebrated their return to the music scene in June 2011 with single,’ Knights of the Black Sun’ A taster of the album to come, the band described it as “a coming of age for our music, that will surprise a lot of people”
Rob states that the new album ‘Sonic Mass’ is the product of guerrilla warfare, "it took three years, looking for opportunities to meet and create music - different places, different times. It feels like this album grew organically around us. It’s a mature reflection on the lives we’ve lived and a vindication of the journey".
‘Sonic Mass’ is a dark, sprawling soundscape of majestic proportions, metal and richly gothic toned, of tribal drumbeats and soaring melodies.
"We are all a band of brothers, and the entire story of Amebix is yet to be completed" – Rob Miller.
Mikolaj is a real multi-talent in bass as well as guitar as well as vocals and "Darkside" Maciej's drumming is a well-calibrated 100th-of-seconds-clockwork. Not for nothing is Mgla considered as a standard for a lot of other blacker-than-black metal bands. I hope to see this band live once..... grote_smurf
This is the most personally appealing piece of music I have run into in a long time - from the beautiful lyrics and art and the crushing, non pretentious gorgeous heavy music. Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful, crushing - are there are other words? Gorgeous, exquisite.... sock4never
Scratchy DIY punk from Philadelphia with an impeccable list of inspirations. Think Crass, Flux of Pink Indians, This Heat, and Chronophage. Bandcamp New & Notable Jun 22, 2023
The legendary Crass made the stems from their debut available for remixing; the result is this excellent, mind-melting 40-track collection. Bandcamp New & Notable Feb 19, 2022
This taut, punchy 2015 anarcho-punk EP from Istanbul's Ugly Shadows gets a worthy cassette re-release through A World Divided. Bandcamp New & Notable Sep 21, 2021