AMIENSUS – RECLAMATION, PART 2

(Andy Synn closes the circle with his review of part 2 of Amiensus‘s new double-album, out Friday)

There is, of course, no way to talk about Reclamation, Part 2 without considering it in the context of its already-released predecessor – the two of them forming both sides of a singular (in both senses of the word) coin.

That doesn’t mean, however, that Part 2 is incapable of standing on its own – far from it – it’s just that the group’s decision to release Reclamation in two parts, almost a full four months apart, offers us an opportunity to reassess the latter while analysing the former at the same time.

So, let us begin, shall we?

First off, I’d recommend reading my review of Reclamation, Part 1 before going any further, as not only is understanding that album vital to fully appreciating this one, but said review also serves as something of an introduction (or reintroduction) to who Amiensus are at this stage in their career(s).

You may have noted, once you’re done with the previous article, that back in April I referred to Reclamation, Part 1 as “easily the group’s best album yet” and Amiensus themselves as “one of the most promising Progressive Black Metal bands in the USA (and beyond)“.

And while I still stand by the former, the latter no longer holds quite as true… because, with the release of this second part of the Reclamation duology Amiensus have absolutely fulfilled that promise, and then some.

Don’t get me wrong, Part 2 isn’t perfect – neither was Part 1, although the flaws in both albums are ultimately relatively minor considering the sheer scope of the band’s musical vision – as “Disconsolate” is, ultimately, a tad unfulfilling, while the ambitious “Leprosarium” ends up getting tangled up in its own feet trying to dance to too many different tunes (Black Metal, Melodeath, Tech Death, Prog) at once.

But the highlights? Oh, the highlights are as bold and as brilliant as anything the band have done before, from the gargantuan, deathly stomp and gloomy, morose melodies of opener “Solfario” through to the bleak, blackened beauty of climactic closer “Orb of Vanishing Light”.

You’ll likely notice as well, if you’ve taken my advice and familiarised yourself with Reclamation, Part 1 already, that Part 2 offers a subtly different experience to its precursor, putting more emphasis on punchier – and, arguably, heavier – riffs which lean a little more towards Insomnium than Enslaved this time around (especially during pounding mid-album powerhouse “Decaying God Child”, which might just be the heaviest track they’ve ever done, though it’s still got some stiff competition from the likes of “Iconoclasm” and “Vemillion Fog of War”).

At the same time, however, they haven’t abandoned what makes them so unique, namely their distinctive use of melody – with the melancholy intro and outro of pulse-pounding second track “Acquiescence” providing the sort of keening melodic thread that one could, with but a little effort, trace all the way back to the group’s debut almost fifteen years ago – which permeates each and every track, to a greater or lesser extent, in a way that never feels false or forced but flows from their tongues and their fingers in the most fluid and organic of fashions.

Hell, even the unexpected appearance of Lars Nedland (of Borknagar/Solefald fame) on “The Distance” feels like a natural addition to the album’s overall tapestry, the band paying tribute to their roots and influences in a way which at first seems perhaps a little too blatant but which, as the song progresses, provides an intimate glimpse into all the ways that Amiensus have built upon this early seed of inspiration over the years, carefully crafting and cultivating it into something they can call their own.

So when I tell you that both Reclamation, Part 1 and Reclamation, Part 2 are triumphs in their own right – but, also, even more than the simple sum of their parts when taken (as I believe they should be) together – I hope at least some of you will believe me and put this one on your list ASAP.

After all, I doubt the band set out to make a double-album for it not to be heard. And, thankfully (for both them and us), you won’t have to wait too much longer to be able to do so!

Pre-order the album now.