As announced a couple of weeks ago in our pages, Belgian post-metal visionaries AMENRA have returned with not one, but two powerful new EPs—’De Toorn’ and ‘With Fang And Claw’—each representing a distinct facet of the band’s vast sonic identity. Both releases are now available via Relapse Records, offering an immersive and unflinching journey into the dual soul of a band that continues to redefine the boundaries of heavy music.
After the cinematic expanse of 2021’s ‘De Doorn’, AMENRA deliver a stunning contrast with these twin releases. ‘With Fang And Claw’ harks back to the band’s roots in the Belgian hardcore and H8000 scene, drawing influence from genre mainstays like Congress and Regression. Across its two tracks—“Forlorn” and “Salve Mater”—the band channels raw aggression and guttural power with a visceral sense of catharsis. These songs hit like a storm, balancing punishing heaviness with subtle, introspective passages that amplify the emotional impact tenfold. It’s a direct and unrelenting record, evoking the furious energy that first defined AMENRA’s sound.
In stark and compelling contrast, ‘De Toorn’ is a masterclass in restraint and emotional tension. Built around two sprawling compositions—“Heden” and “De Toorn (Talisman)”—the EP leans into ambient drone, spoken word, and expansive post-metal arrangements. The result is a hypnotic and meditative experience, unfolding slowly into moments of overwhelming release. “Heden” begins with a quiet, almost maddeningly minimal build, eventually erupting into a harrowing crescendo, while “De Toorn (Talisman)” rides waves of shimmering melancholy before plunging into earth-rattling doom.
These EPs are more than just stylistic opposites—they are spiritual counterparts. ‘With Fang And Claw’ channels the body, while De Toorn reaches for the soul. Together, they form a compelling diptych: a tribute to AMENRA’s origins and a bold step forward into new territory. Whether consumed individually or as a unified listening experience, these records showcase the band’s ability to balance ferocity and fragility with unflinching authenticity.
Over two decades into their career, AMENRA remain one of the most essential voices in heavy music. Their ability to communicate pain, beauty, and transcendence through sound is unparalleled—and these two EPs are among their most evocative work to date.
