26 Mar 2023
Amanaki - EP Review: Immutable
08 Mar 2019 // A review by Paul Goddard
What is it with Hamilton and its ability to create some of the best Hardcore bands in New Zealand?
Maybe like the way all the hotels and shops turn their backs on the mighty Waikato river, the people who form/join bands there turn their noses up at what is going on with the “I wanna get played on the Rock” mentality of some of the more well-known Auckland acts?
I don’t know why but having lived in both cities there is a difference. Something a bit more of a small(er) town mentality. More of a scene, especially when it comes to Hardcore music.
Whatever it is long may it continue as Hamilton/Auckland outfit Amanaki have just produced a brutal collection of songs that are as simple in their complexity as they are brutal in their beauty.
The Immutable EP opens with the heartfelt Everything. An atmospheric opening melts into an almost tribal chant that soon shifts gear into more familiar territory. It is only 2 mins long and the perfect indicator of what is to follow
Return ups the gears as its lyrics are spat into a maelstrom of pummeling drums and intricate guitar. From the opening riff it never lets up. Like someone perfectly summed up on the Amanaki Facebook page “this makes me want to flail like a fish on dry land”
The lyrics on this EP tend to follow a theme of unity with friends/lovers and standing up against the shit that life/people can throw at you. Conflicting emotions of love and hate as always blurred by the day to day of life. It is all fuel for the fire
Pressure is a full on diatribe of pent up anger being released whilst realising that at the end there is always hope and friendship as we all go through the same shit together.
Something that affects far too many people is addressed in Domestics. Given the subject matter it is one of the more melodic tracks but loses none of the venom “your fists don’t show love” Exactly!
Hypocrite is my favourite track. It punches and kicks and then breathes in before unleashing again. It is exhausting. Played live this one is going to be a killer. One of the catchier tracks it shows why Amanaki are way ahead of most of their contemporaries.
Overcast connected with me with its message of you are not alone as I am sitting in the UK writing this today having just found out that Keith Flint took his own life.
Many hardcore bands might have lyrics that get dismissed because of the nature of the music and the way it is delivered but Amanaki have far more to say than most of the shite you will ever hear on the radio.
Roots is an interesting closer. Just 58 seconds long with no lyrics it shows a diversity and willingness to experiment. Just as it builds it abruptly stops leaving a distinct sense of satisfaction with what I have just heard over the past 15 mins.
The production is excellent, the musicianship faultless. One of the best collections of songs I have heard in a long time. I bought the EP.
You should too.
What is it with Hamilton and its ability to create some of the best Hardcore bands in New Zealand?Maybe like the way all the hotels and shops turn their backs on the mighty Waikato river, the people who form/join bands there turn their noses up at what is going on with the “I wanna get played on the Rock” mentality of some of the more well-known Auckland acts?
I don’t know why but having lived in both cities there is a difference. Something a bit more of a small(er) town mentality. More of a scene, especially when it comes to Hardcore music.
Whatever it is long may it continue as Hamilton/Auckland outfit Amanaki have just produced a brutal collection of songs that are as simple in their complexity as they are brutal in their beauty.
The Immutable EP opens with the heartfelt Everything. An atmospheric opening melts into an almost tribal chant that soon shifts gear into more familiar territory. It is only 2 mins long and the perfect indicator of what is to follow
Return ups the gears as its lyrics are spat into a maelstrom of pummeling drums and intricate guitar. From the opening riff it never lets up. Like someone perfectly summed up on the Amanaki Facebook page “this makes me want to flail like a fish on dry land”
The lyrics on this EP tend to follow a theme of unity with friends/lovers and standing up against the shit that life/people can throw at you. Conflicting emotions of love and hate as always blurred by the day to day of life. It is all fuel for the fire
Pressure is a full on diatribe of pent up anger being released whilst realising that at the end there is always hope and friendship as we all go through the same shit together.
Something that affects far too many people is addressed in Domestics. Given the subject matter it is one of the more melodic tracks but loses none of the venom “your fists don’t show love” Exactly!
Hypocrite is my favourite track. It punches and kicks and then breathes in before unleashing again. It is exhausting. Played live this one is going to be a killer. One of the catchier tracks it shows why Amanaki are way ahead of most of their contemporaries.
Overcast connected with me with its message of you are not alone as I am sitting in the UK writing this today having just found out that Keith Flint took his own life.
Many hardcore bands might have lyrics that get dismissed because of the nature of the music and the way it is delivered but Amanaki have far more to say than most of the shite you will ever hear on the radio.
Roots is an interesting closer. Just 58 seconds long with no lyrics it shows a diversity and willingness to experiment. Just as it builds it abruptly stops leaving a distinct sense of satisfaction with what I have just heard over the past 15 mins.
The production is excellent, the musicianship faultless. One of the best collections of songs I have heard in a long time. I bought the EP.
You should too.
Rating:
( 5 / 5 )
About Amanaki
Hardcore sound which boasts a sound comparable to the likes of heavy hitting band Counterparts.
Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for Amanaki
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