24 Mar 2023
UsernamePassword

Remember Me? | Join | Recover
Click here to sign in via social networking

Amanaki - EP Review: Tempest

03 Nov 2022 // A review by Paul Goddard
Hardcore.

It tends to mean extreme. Extreme ain’t always good eh?

Look at the world right now. The right wing is rising. The left is also becoming more radicalised. The temperature is rising and along with it so is what it costs us to live on this spinning ball of rock.

That’s the big picture.

Let’s shrink hard down to its core.

Let’s focus on the passion that makes people scream.

Got something to say, then fucking say it out loud.

Make it positive.
Make it inclusive.
Say it through music so it connects.

Hardcore isn’t extreme it is a reality that doesn’t bow down to commercial restrictions from the left or right.

Freedom of speech with a moral compass.

There is no better example on how to spread hope and positivity than on the grind of noise that is the latest EP from Amanaki aptly named Tempest.

These 7 tracks are a journey through isolation and personal tragedy that unfortunately most of us can relate to. The songs are heartfelt and delivered without compromise which should be the definition of how anyone attempts to make music. Amanaki have created a brutal work of art that needs to be heard.

Extreme thoughts tend to be born outside the mainstream. They start underground. A swirl of anger and compassion going left or right there rarely is no middle and if there is it is boring as fuck. Add music from sane, grounded people to the mix of extremes and the outcome can-be a positive explosion of energy, empathy and compassion.

So let’s get to the point.

This EP by Amanaki is one of the most exciting pieces of music I have heard from Aotearoa in years. So often I find NZ bands putting themselves in the position of followers rather than leaders.

Not with Amanaki.

A consistent flow of attitude and musicianship delivered with conviction and a middle finger in the air to anyone who misses the point.

It’s all here.

The production is perfect and this a band who knows who they are and who they want to be. It is also clear they want to be themselves and not some genre sucking wannabes. Tempest is a blast. On first listen it is all energy and anger but keep spinning and you will feel the depth.

Tumour is a song that wound have been hugely difficult to write but is the song that is the soul of this EP. Anyone who has experienced a diagnosis or loss will relate to the call to arms and scream at everything that is unfair about life and death that flows through the veins of this song.

I am not going to dilute this outpouring of mine to a track by track breakdown and tell you how good the guitars/bass/drums are. I know Amanaki won’t give a shit about how much you like them or how well you think they can play.

Listen for yourself and find out.

What I can tell you is you need this band in your life.

The world may seem like it is going nuts. The extremes are getting louder. Nothing in life is fair. We need bands like Amanaki to scream at us and give us some balance so we can walk this tightrope of life.

Honestly do yourself a favour. Stop listening to everything that everyone else listens to. Be a bit more extreme in a compassionate way and get angry about what is wrong with this world and wrong with life. Get an attitude with a positive anger.

Listen to Amanaki and get the songs on Tempest into your soul. You won't regret it.

Rating: ( 5 / 5 )
 

About Amanaki

Comprising of scene veterans April Haines (ex-Patriot, East of Eden and Lead Us Forth) and Jared Kerr (Vanguard and ex-Lead Us Forth) with young bloods Jethro (ex-Patriot) and Ethan bringing a youthful flare.

Hardcore sound which boasts a sound comparable to the likes of heavy hitting band Counterparts.


Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for Amanaki

Releases

Tempest
Year: 2022
Type: EP
Engrafted
Year: 2019
Type: Album
Immutable
Year: 2018
Type: Album

Other Reviews By Paul Goddard

Album Review: Sex Dad's Greatest Hits: The Very Best Of Sex Dad
27 Dec 2022 // by Paul Goddard
Feeling bloated and underwhelmed. Listening to mainstream radio in the car as I left my phone at home.
Read More...
Marrow Neck - EP Review: Made Up
23 Nov 2022 // by Paul Goddard
Sitting here in a very wet and cold, rainy UK watching the oldies falling out of the local Wetherspoons where they have been on the piss since 9am (yep the UK is weird it's only the old people who can afford to get pissed all day).I am reflecting on the past as I listen to the latest EP Made Up from Auckland-based Mark Hannington.
Read More...
Big Scout - Album Review: Council Sport
18 Aug 2022 // by Paul Goddard
It’s finally here. The first Long Player from Blenheim noisy buggers Big Scout.
Read More...
Memory Foam - Album Review: Steel Magnolias
28 Jun 2022 // by Paul Goddard
Did you know that Memory Foam creates a matrix of cells through which air can move? Me neither.
Read More...
Mojo Alice - Single Review: Sad Face
26 Apr 2022 // by Paul Goddard
If there is a phrase I can't stand right now it's "let's get ready for the new normal."Fuck that.
Read More...
Nuggiez - Single Review: The Creeps
08 Mar 2022 // by Paul Goddard
Zeitgeist.One of my favourite words.
Read More...
Saurian - Single Review: Ice Cream Man
18 Feb 2022 // by Paul Goddard
I am going to say it. This might be controversial but the best Ice Cream is a simple Vanilla Whip in a cone.
Read More...
Craig Payne - Album Review: A Long Time Coming
23 Dec 2021 // by Paul Goddard
Life's a journey.Different phases, ranging from feeling bulletproof to feeling paranoid to eventually feeling resigned to whatever happens.
Read More...
View All Articles By Paul Goddard

NZ Top 10 Singles

  • BOY'S A LIAR PT. 2
    PinkPantheress And Ice Spice
  • FLOWERS
    Miley Cyrus
  • DIE FOR YOU (REMIX)
    The Weeknd And Ariana Grande
  • KILL BILL
    SZA
  • LAST NIGHT
    Morgan Wallen
  • SURE THING
    Miguel
  • PEOPLE
    Libianca
  • ESCAPISM.
    RAYE feat. 070 Shake
  • PLAYERS
    Coi Leray
  • AS IT WAS
    Harry Styles
View the Full NZ Top 40...
muzic.net.nz Logo
100% New Zealand Music
All content on this website is copyright to muzic.net.nz and other respective rights holders. Redistribution of any material presented here without permission is prohibited.
Report a ProblemReport A Problem