I’m a big fan of Australia’s The Amenta. So how I missed this news is mystifying, but better late than never: They will be digitally releasing a new EP called Chokehold sometime in May via Listenable Records. It will include two new songs — the title track, “Chokehold”, and a cover of “Christ Bait Rising” by Godflesh. The band reports that both songs were recorded and produced “with a modern take on GODFLESH’S influential Street Cleaner album’s sound and aesthetic.”
The EP will also feature two live tracks taken from the bands 2011 V01D Australian Tour, as well as a remix of the track “V01D” from their last album.
As you can see, the cover art for the EP is done, and therein lies a tale. Apparently, the band tried to set up an ad on Facebook to publicize the EP, and Facebook rejected the ad because the cover art was considered “too extreme”. I guess Facebook has drastically different standards for advertising than it does for what people can put in their profiles and photo albums.
I like the picture of vocalist Cain Cressall up there — nice and metal — but it’s really not very extreme. No intestines are hanging out, no human organs are being consumed, no veins have been opened. Go figure.
I’m not positive how this EP relates to the band’s next album. In March they announced the new album’s title — Flesh is Heir — and a track list, and at that time they were finishing up the recording work. Doesn’t look like the new songs on the EP will be on the album. Of course, I’d be happier than a pig in shit to get an EP AND an album from these guys in 2012.
Two more pieces of news, including a new video, are after the jump . . .
First,the band posted the lyrics to that song “Chokehold”. Makes me want to hear the music even more:
A clean feed,
A gloved hand on our throat.
A clean feed,
A gloved hand on our throat.
Keep strength for the strong
And weaken the weak.
A clean feed
Keeps the meek on a leash.You want to bind my mouth?
You better pull my teeth.Driven to suckle,
The squeal of the blind swine.
Driven to suckle,
The squeal of the blind swine.
Grovelling in the dirt.
Shaking with bestial want.
Driven to suckle
A sickly junky hustle.You want to bind my mouth?
You better pull my teeth.Choke Hold.
Second, the band recently released an official video for “V01D” consisting of footage taken from their 2011 Australian tour in support of the online release of that album. I really like this song, and I really like this video. I think I would really like seeing The Amenta live. If I knew they were coming to the States, I’d start practicing how to roll my eyes back in my head.
If you’re new to The Amenta, go check them out via these links: