The Amenta presents their new EP ‘Plague Of Locus’

Two years after their ferocious comeback work “Revelator“, Australian Extreme Metal innovators THE AMENTA present new EP “Plague Of Locus“. Boasting ten tracks, this ambitious 40 min+ EP features new compositions and a diverse selection of cover songs that have inspired the band’s existence.

“Plague Of Locus” contains unique takes on tracks by local Black Metal curios NAZXUL and LORD KAOS, global alternative legends DIAMANDA GALAS, ALICE IN CHAINS and KILLING JOKE, and stylistically varied artists WOLF EYES, HALO and MY DYING BRIDE.

The artwork for “Plague Of Locus” was created by the legendary Metastazis (PARADISE LOST, ULVER), who also provided art for both of THE AMENTA‘s 2021 releases, “Revelator” and “Solipschism“.

Mixed by the band’s very own Erik Miehs and mastered by Maor Applebaum (FAITH NO MORE, ABBATH), the EP builds on the claustrophobic heft of “Revelator“, resulting in a phenomenal sound that is heavy and crushing, yet natural and organic.

To enter the atmosphere of the forthcoming EP, THE AMENTA now unveil an eerie and obscure video clip for their self-composed title track. Check it out below:

‘Plague Of Locus‘ is filled with violent and hysterical Extreme Metal arrangements, intelligently combined with groovy elements, dramatic hooks, infectious vocals, and noisy soundscapes – the perfect soundtrack to all nightmares!

Composer and keyboard player Timothy Pope narrates about the new EP’s genesis:

“Listening to ‘Plague Of Locus‘ immediately triggers a nostalgic shiver. To me, it has some of the same cold bite as our material from the 2008 “n0n” album. Of course, it takes that initial familiarity and twists it beyond recognition with wailing theremin and an open, epic mid-section with an inspired vocal from Cain but the seeds of something nostalgic remained. To complement the song, we decided to surround it with covers of songs that have inspired us, particularly our 2021 album, “Revelator“. In fact, two of these tracks were recorded during the “Revelator” sessions.“

“Plague Of Locus” will be unleashed on October 19th/20th on vinyl via the band and digitally via Debemur Morti Productions. Pre-orders are possible via Direct Merch (vinyl) as well as via Bandcamp (digital).

Reveling in the moment THE AMENTA embark on a long overdue Australian headline tour, including a performance at Adelaide’s biggest and best metal festival, Froth & Fury. The Plague Of Locus 2023 Tour will see THE AMENTA‘s first headline shows in over ten years. Known for uncompromising, suffocating and overpowering performances, this boundary-pushing horde are keen to bring their full assault to all shows. THE AMENTA is thrilled to be joined by blackened sludge miscreants LO! on select dates:

THE AMENTA Plague Of Locus Tour 2023
16.11.2023 – Sydney, The Crowbar
17.11.2023 – Melbourne, Stay Gold
18.11.2023 – Adelaide, Froth & Fury Festival*
01.12.2023 – Brisbane, Soapbox
02.12.2023 – Perth, Amplifier*
*LO! not appearing

THE AMENTA is ugly, dissonant, electronically-lacerated Extreme Metal from Australia, featuring the core creative line-up of Cain Cressall (Vocals), Erik Miehs (Guitars) and Timothy Pope (Keyboards, Samples & Effects) with Dan Quinlan (Bass) and drummer David Haley (PSYCROPTIC, ex-ABORTED) rounding out the lineup.

Early experiments with dissonance resulted in 2002’s “Mictlan” MCD. Two years later, the band had signed to Listenable Records who released the debut full length, “Occasus“. Next came 2008’s divisive “n0n” album. “n0n” was a dense, ugly, sprawling hymn to urban decay. A filthy paean to political manipulation. It was anti-everything.

Upon returning to Australia after extensive European and American touring THE AMENTA, recorded a free download of a huge multimedia release in 2011 entitled “V01D“. The release featured the new title track, re-recordings of tracks from the two previous albums, as well as professionally filmed and recorded live performances and film clips. The new song showcased one of many new directions THE AMENTA could take. Epic chords held in stasis by drones. Melody where before there had only been dissonance.

In 2013, THE AMENTA released “Flesh Is Heir“. The most organic and open of THE AMENTA‘s releases to date, “Flesh Is Heir” built huge sculptures of sound from decayed choir loops and found percussion, the strongest riffs and guitar hooks in THE AMENTA back catalogue and an immaculate vocal performance.

After taking a hiatus from live performance in 2014, the band resumed activity in 2019. Inchoate rumblings slowly took shape. In 2020, THE AMENTA is excited to announce a partnership with Debemur Morti Productions, a label whose name is synonymous with art and with the most forward thinking bands in extreme music.