Amiensus – Ascension

[schema type=”review” name=”Amiensus – Ascension” author=”Basak Günel” pubdate=”2015-07-01″ ]

Amiensus is an American metal band. Founded in 2010 by the members of The Last, Minos and Dread Veil, the band came together with the aim of creating music they wanted with no genre restrictions. Hence, there are influences from many genres – from black metal to progressive and post-rock-. The name ‘Amiensus’ is derived from the famous Amiens Cathedral located in Amiens, France.

The latest record “Ascension” has been released last year and I gotta admit; it has taken me a while to review this one. A record like “Ascension” definitely is not an easy one to listen to; firstly, you need a few spins to assimilate the record and to understand the harmony of the many genres and the many emotions that is built within. That’s why records like these are quite hard to review!

From the first few tracks, we get the impression that we are gonna be listening to a full-on ‘heavy’ record.  There is definitely a post-metal/avant-garde approach that is scattered within the album.But I knew something was gonna surprise me when I read that the band’s sound also has influences from progressive and black metal. You can definitely feel that proggy vibe all over. It is quite heavy, – hence the post-metal/BM approach, and it will even get really black metallish at some parts (“Divine Potion of Acumen”) but I got the feeling that the band’s essence is quite progressive and even atmospheric… and this gives the record its surprises and twists!

A highlight of the record is definitely the great mix of the clean as well as harsh vocals. Clean vocals make the record quite ‘progressive’ and ‘melodic’ and even emotional at times whereas the harsh vocals make the record quite doom-y and dark/atmospheric! There are definitely too many feelings and emotions blended within. Surely, the band has also experimented here and there but they definitely know where they stand and which direction they are taking, which is really important in records where many genres are heard/featured. In this sense, “Ascension” is definitely an impressive one!

Some favorites? If you are a fan of the melancholy and the progressive aproach, songs like “Delphic Æther” , “Towards Horizon” and “Time Is Growing Old” will captivate you. For the fans of the darker side, “Divine Potion of Acumen” and the beginning of the record – “On These Deserted Plains” will be more than enough!

“Ascension” is definitely impressive and interesting. I would recommend everyone to listen to the record from the beginning to the end; let it sink in and let the perfect harmony of emotions and the transitions of genres mesmerize you!

Line-up:
James Benson – Harsh Vocals, Clean Vocals, Guitar
Aaron McKinney – Clean Vocals, Guitar
Alec Rozsa- Keyboards, Guitars, Vocals
D. Todd Farnham- Bass
Zack Morgenthaler – Lead Guitar, Keyboards
Julia Holter- Vocals
Matthew Paulazzo- Drums

Tracklist: 01. On These Deserted Plains 02. Towards Horizon 03. What Words Create 04. One In Spirit 05. Delphic Æther 06. Divine Potion of Acumen 07. Time Is Growing Old 08. Glass Dungeon 09. What Evil Lay Dormant

Links:
Amiensus Facebook