Belgian post-metal band Amenra will have a pair of new EPs out on March 28th via Relapse Records. Those two outings have been christened “De Toorn” and “With Fang And Claw“. Both of these offerings were tracked during a single session, with vocalist Colin H. Van Eeckhout stating of them, “These EPs feel like the closure we were desperately seeking, as we prepare for a new beginning in our almost 3 decade long trajectory.”
He also provided some more individual detail, sharing the following of “De Toorn“:
“With De Toorn we finish what we have started with De Doorn in 2019. We came as close to our cultural heritage as we possibly could and offered the world a glance of where we come from. With the artwork reached back to the early beginnings of the band, MASS I. Aline Gorsen interpretation of the art propelled us in a world forlorn.”
Guitarist Mathieu Vandekerckhov added:
“With De Toorn, we carry forward the spirit of De Doorn, delving deeper into the raw emotions of grief, wrath, and transformation. It is a continuation of the ritual, a step further into the fire. At the same time, With Fang And Claw harks back to the essence of Mass I, embracing the primal force that defined our beginnings.
These two works intertwine: De Toorn channels the lament and fury of De Doorn, while With Fang And Claw recalls the unfiltered intensity of Mass I to Mass IIII. Together, they form a crucial passage in our 30-year journey—a reflection of where we began and where we are going. This transition is not just a bridge; it is a reckoning, a moment that prepares us for the resolution to come with Mass VII. Through rage and sorrow, we rise, bearing both the scars of the past and the fangs of resilience.”
As for “With Fang And Claw, Van Eeckhout offered, “With Fang and Claw explores our earlier work, and merges with our contemporary being, setting the direction to what will soon become our MASS VII.”
The song “Heden” from “De Toorn” is the first to be shared from these outings and guitarist Lennart Bossu had the following to say about it:
“The track ‘Heden‘ grew very organically while playing together in the rehearsal room and it set the tone for the rest of De Doorn and De Toorn, so it’s definitely a track that is special to us.”
A music video for that track was lensed by director Diana Lungu and is available for viewing below.
“De Toorn” track listing:
01 – “Heden”
02 – “De Toorn (Talisman)”
“With Fang And Claw” track listing:
01 – “Forlorn”
02 – “Salve Mater”
Pre-orders are available via Relapse.
03/26-30 Brussels, BEL – Ancienne Belgique
03/22 Luxembourg, LUX – Den Atelier
04/21 Stuttgart, GER – Im Wizeman
04/22 Koln, GER – Carlswerk Victoria
04/23 Hamburg, GER – Uebel & Gefährlich
04/24 Berlin, GER – Astra
04/25 Warsaw, POL – Oczki
04/26 Krakow, POL – Kwadrat
04/27 Dresden, GER – Beatpol
04/28 Prague, CZE – Palac Akropolis
04/30 Vienna, AUT – Arena
05/01 Budapest, HUN – A38
05/02 Zagreb, CRO – Boogaloo Club
05/03 Munich, GER – Backstage Halle
05/04 Bologna, ITA – TPO
05/05 Rome, ITA – Monk Club
05/06 Milano, ITA – Legend Club
05/07 Lausanne, SWI – Les Docks
05/08 Lyon, FRA – CCO
05/09 Marseille, FRA – Espace Julien
05/11 Barcelona, SPA – Apolo
05/12 Toulouse, FRA – Cabane
05/13 Biarritz, FRA – Atabal
05/14 Rennes, FRA – Antipode
05/15 Paris, FRA – Elysee Montmartre
05/17 London, UK – Desertfest
