EP Review: Embers

Amanaki might not be a household name yet, but along with their indie label, North Supply Co., they’re definitely on track to grab your attention. The Auckland and Hamilton-based band’s fourth major release, Embers, signifies a maturing of sound while retaining that raw melodic hardcore energy fans have come to love and appreciate.

Intro track Money Man, with its heavyweight rhythms and in-your-face lyrics, heralds in an anti-establishment theme that is repeated throughout this seven-track EP. Sure to get the crowd jumping, a Rage Against The Machine influence is apparent, particularly during vocalist Jared Kerr’s lively performance on this hard-hitting opener.

As with their previous material, Amanaki have drawn on some respected contemporary artists to embellish and complement Embers. Starting out sparse and spooky, Freedom Feat. Liam Hand (Parasitic Infestation, Silent Torture), with his deeper growl during the sing-along chorus, exemplifies why these collaborations are so worthwhile.

Railing against the monetary system, Nigerian-born NZ hip-hop artist Hugh Ozumba touches on Amanaki’s anti-establishment theme with prose that rightfully questions the status quo in title track Embers, ft. Mazbou Q. A haunting guitar accompaniment imparts a sense of longing, helping to ensure the release has numerous components to keep people fully engaged.

Sounding very comfortable in her performance and providing a heaviness you wouldn’t expect from a Telecaster, April Haines is proof that guitar tone mainly comes from the hands, especially during uncompromising stand-out track Habits. Amanaki obviously haven’t let the trials and tribulations of life get the better of them, instead using difficult experiences as fuel for their creative fire.

Drummer Jethro Wall doesn’t let up one bit during Hypocrite, Pt. 2, which is a follow-up track from their groundbreaking debut album Immutable. An abundance of room mics on the floor tom provides a phased, almost electric drum sound that could be one of those happy accidents correctly left unfixed during post-production.

Amanaki often locks it down with exceptional precision that is second to none or splits into complimentary but differing stylistic parts. If Only We Had Feat. Ellen Kerr is no exception to that rule, with intricate, earth-shaking aggression nicely interspersed by melodically sparse passages; a perfectly balanced musical recipe sure to please your aural palette. It’s no wonder their songs make some fans want to “flail about like a fish on dry land.”

There’s a very powerful almost otherworldly feel to the outro track, Consequences, mainly due to the driving bass lines of Ethan Downey Parish. A warmer guitar sound with tasteful counterpoint in verses and precise muting during the intro and breakdown delivers clarity of heaviness that at times borders on perfection.

This is exactly the type of music you need to hear to beat the winter doldrums and represents another well-written and professionally produced release from Amanaki. Make sure Embers finds its way onto your playlist today.