Review by Daniel for Amenta, The - Mictlan (2002)

This 7" single was The Amenta's debut release & it showcases an extreme metal band that was already a very professional outfit even though they hadn't quite found their trademark industrial death metal sound yet. All of the elements are there but I don't think they'd quite figured out how to integrate their industrial influences into their death metal platform at this point. We would have to wait until 2008's "n0n" album to see that potential fully come to fruition however the early material filled that gap with a youthful energy that made just as much impact.

The two metal tracks included here were later re-recorded for their 2004 debut album "Occasus" however the rawer production on offer here gives them a slightly different feel. Opening title track "Mictlan" is the clear highlight with it's uncompromisingly brutal attack which reminds me heavily of faster Morbid Angel material like "Dominate". "Ennea" follows on in a similar fashion & both tracks incorporate the subtle use of keyboards/samples to add atmosphere; a factor that works as a nice differentiator to distinguish The Amenta from the multitude of blasting extreme metal bands out there. Closer "Nekvia" is a short industrial piece that's as classy as it is abrasive.  

"Mictlan" was a very promising introduction to a band that went on to become a favourite in the Sydney metal scene. It's hardly essential as it doesn't offer much in the way of exclusive material but it will certainly interest fans of The Amenta's later material.