Skip to main content

Post-Metal: Amerta - Nodus Tollens (2024)

78 / 100
Amerta’s debut leaves a strong mark in Indonesian post-metal by leaning toward sludge/doom atmospheres. Despite minor flaws, it shows ambition and international-level potential.
There are three bands with the same name known so far in Indonesia, and Amerta band from Jakarta seems to be the youngest one but determined to bring an underrated subgenre, post-metal instead of post-black or the more typical post-hardcore, to meet the demand of the local market. Moreover, the addition of their female vocalist must be a significant move for the band as well.

It’s always easy to notice resemblances between bands for others I think. And here I’m glad to be able to mention a lesser-known German female-fronted band like Aethernal, particularly on "New Day Raising" which is has similar cocoons to "Argentum". At the same time, Amerta’s “Chevron” recalls the aura of Black Math Horseman, especially with a similar female-bassist presence shared between Sera Timms and Anida.

Musically, Amerta lean more toward sludge/doom than the ethereal leanings of Alcest, which local peers Lament explored on their debut. Both bands made the bold choice to sing in English to reach wider audiences. Still, Amerta also tried to weave in an Indonesian element on “Tiang Garam.” To me, the track polishes the lyrics but falls short musically, veering into a lighter, modern-rock sound with programmed drums, which also appear on “Eternal Grace.” These are in sharp contrast to their cover of Chrisye’s “Kala Sang Surya Tenggelam,” which is haunting and carries genuine gothic/doom weight within the album.

In addition, they also channel hardcore influences on “Padam” to introduce themselves to the local underground scene. With names like Raja and Akbar from the death metal band Revenge, plus Ricky Siahaan of Seringai as producer, Amerta’s footing in the scene becomes even stronger.

All in all, Amerta deliver expansive compositions and the atmosphere you’d expect from a clean-vocally post-metal band, even if the two more rock-oriented tracks didn’t click with me. I sincerely hope to see them play at Dunk! Fest like Morgensoll, or at least reach international recognition in the post-metal scene.

[The review also posted on Metal Archives.]
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Terima kasih telah berkomentar. Usahakan untuk menjaga sopan santun.

Popular posts from this blog

Breakcore: Subheroine - End. (2025)

77 / 100 End. is Subheroine ’s most immersive and emotionally textured work yet ... Is being a week late enough to make a new release feel cold and stale? Maybe it’s the effect of our fast-paced modern world and the FOMO trend. Who knows. Whatever. Alright then, let’s welcome a new breakcore/drum & bass album (though it runs under 30 minutes) from Subheroine : End. ! End. by SUBHEROINE Released just on November 7 via Japan’s veteran breakcore label, Lost Frog Productions , End . delivers a noticeably more atmospheric vibe this time. So, tagging it as atmospheric drum & bass makes perfect sense, while the “depressive” tag seems to apply only to the cover art. But is that really the case? As always, there are surprises when reviewing music—those unexpected moments that make certain tracks sound more intriguing than expected. The most prominent depressive elements appear in the sampled voice of an anime girl sounding shocked or weakened in...
Post a Comment
Read more

Soundtrack: Dragica Kahlina - Ava Chapter 1 OST (2022)

78 / 100 A compelling dark ambient soundtrack , best enjoyed by fans of atmospheric and cosmic soundscapes rather than traditional game OST seekers. Ava is a mobile puzzle game inspired by tarot cards , developed by Stardust LLC . It was released in four chapters, rolled out periodically between February 2020 and the first quarter of 2021. While there’s a claim that the game won an award, it was never explained exactly where or what it won. For the soundtrack of Chapter 1, Stardust LLC collaborated with local, Zurich-based artist Dragica Kahlina . Ava Chapter 1 OST by Dragica Kahlina Although the game came out in 2020, Kahlina only uploaded the OST two years later on Bandcamp , using cover art from Level 11: The Crown that features Ava herself. The atmosphere of darkness and cosmic vastness is strongly felt throughout the eleven tracks, built primarily on dark ambient foundations and layered with various sounds: echoing stick-like noises...
Post a Comment
Read more

Electronica/IDM: 4T Thieves - Humanoid (2018)

70 / 100 Humanoid is a compact and tastefully crafted slice of IDM-leaning electronica that blends futuristic elements without overwhelming the listener. I opened my December with an electronica release by 4T Thieves , an EP titled Humanoid , which came out back in February 2018. A brief profile and the project’s track record can be found on RYM or Last.fm , and it’s clear that this act has been active since the 90s, although only arriving on Bandcamp around 2018. Humanoid by 4T Thieves As the name suggests, Humanoid presents a modern environment tinged with a futuristic sci-fi atmosphere, supported by drum work leaning toward IDM and prominent synth/bass that paints the image of a future city gate on “ Elemental .” This is followed by “ Codex ,” which is given a special dose of classic IDM-style glitch effects , and the rest continues into “ The Looking Glass ,” which gives off a nighttime-shadow feel through its slightly dark synth melodies. “Band...
Post a Comment
Read more