Amenra 22/11/19@Kulttempel Oberhausen

Bands: Amenra / E-L-R / Ylva
Date: 22/11/19
Location: Kulttempel (Oberhausen)
Promoter: Positive Records

Outside it was misty, rainy and cold (just to set the mood).

Ylva from Australia were set to open the evening. The first thing that came to my mind was: Isis (the band). The atmospheric passages of the songs sounded like they could have been on Oceanic, even the voice of one singer sounded like Aaron Turner.  Their blend of Sludge Metal was massive and loud. The set closed with Colin (Amenra) joining the band to lend his throat and what a closer this was.
Anyone who has a weak spot for music that drags you deeper and deeper into the abyss should give Ylva their attention.

E-L-R from Switzerland were an excellent contrast to Ylva. Even before the first note was played the audience knew, they were in for something special. The stage was decorated with (electric) candles, branches and soft light. The decoration was perfect for the music of E-L-R. If Ylva were the ones to sludge you down, E-L-R would be the ones to lift you up into „transcendency“. Dreamy vocals, soaring guitars and an ethereal atmosphere, if that‘s what you are looking for in Metal, E-L-R will be one of your new favorite bands.

Amenra however took you to a whole different level, neither up nor down, somewhere beyond everything. Amenra opened the set with „The pain. It is shapeless“ from Mass III and from this moment on the audience was captivated. Even though Colin seldomly stood face front to the audience, you simply could feel the fact, that he feels his music. With every riff, he writhed, bent his arms and screamed against the waves of sound. In the quieter moments you could hear a needle drop (although there are always some people who like to disturb the whole audience by talking very loudly, especially during that moments) and when things got loud (the finale of “Diaken“ for example) you could feel the music too, just because of the sheer intensity.

The set included the whole Mass VI (excluding interludes) record and some fan favorites from the other masses, for example „Am Kreuz“, „Boden“ or „Razoreater“.

On the whole it was great evening. Both openers were fitting perfectly, Amenra delivered mightily and showed once again, why the Church of Ra has so many followers.