Amenra / Madensuyu

Album Title: 
Amenra / Madensuyu
Release Date: 
Saturday, August 9, 2014
Review Type: 

Consouling Sounds are pretty active lately, with quite some interesting new releases on their (in mean time fabulous) roster. The label never eschewed to step away from conformity, and with this two-way split (which is part of a picture disc series) they do strengthen their prominent position within the worldwide Sludge / Post-Metal scene (once again). But this release needs to be considered as a collaboration in between three artists: two bands, i.e. Belgian outfits Amenra and Madensuyu, and sculptress Berlinde de Bruyckere, who took care of the visual aspects, i.e. a work called Actaeon II. She’s known for her installations, and was able to exhibit at famous places, but you better check her creations out on the net or in live settings. I will focus, in all respect for this woman, on the aural side of this release, of course. And for your info: this 10”EP comes in an edition of 500 copies only.

I do not need to introduce Amenra anymore, for this Belgian act stands on the highest peak of the international scene for sure. On this split they contribute with Razoreator, yet in an acoustic version. The track clocks nearly eight minutes, and despite the acoustic approach it sounds op-en-top Amenra. I like the vocals, which are dreamy and almost meditative, but the whole composition itself is fantastic. You have the haunting bass lines and (post-) rocking acoustic guitars, which create a mostly post-apocalyptic atmosphere by maintaining this band’s characteristic droning ambience. The drums are less present and limited to the back-front, but in addition to the whole experience, they are of undeniable importance.

Madensuyu are a duo that are not that well-known as Amenra, I think, yet last year Janpieter and Stijn surprised the audience with their third album Stabat Mater. The European and American Indie / Alternative press was very enthusiastic, and it might have opened closed doors, which will offer great opportunities. But first things first, and that’s Madensuyu’s Days And A Day (taken from their TL sessions). This Alternative composition is an atmospheric soundscape, mainly acoustic, with hints of Americana, Post-Rock and Indie. If you are trusted with Madensuyu’s 2006-album A Field Between, then you might understand the comparison to Should We Ever Fall, by the way.