Studio Report: Amenra working on Mass VI

Features
By ( Metal Hammer ) published

Step inside the recording studio with Amenra as they work on new album Mass VI

Amenra in the studio
(Image credit: Stefaan Temmerman)

Belgian post-metal warlords Amenra recently put the finishing touches to their sixth full-length Mass VI, and they invited Metal Hammer inside for a sneak peek. Working out of Manufacture de Malmedy studios, the band enlisted producer Billy Anderson for the ride, following his work on the band’s 2012 album Mass V, “He was the first one to be able to come close to our live sound,” says vocalist Colin H. van Eeckhout.

The band were forced to shut themselves in the studio following a snowstorm, withdrawing from the burden of daily life.

“Recording is always a difficult process for us,” Colin tells Hammer. “You put a theoretical end to a creative process, and to me it feels like you have to let go, like a child wandering off into the world. Writing Mass VI was a tough nut to crack, as always with Amenra. We need time in between the albums to become grounded again. We look for the essence.”

Photographer Stefaan Temmerman was there to capture this essence in the pictures below, accompanied by narration from Colin himself.

Bjorn setting up his drum kit, while Lennart prepares the amps.

Bjorn setting up his drum kit, while Lennart prepares the amps. (Image credit: Stefaan Temmerman)

Never good enough.

Never good enough. (Image credit: Stefaan Temmerman)

It never ends. Whenever we record something, I feel like we are killing it. I would like it to evolve forever. Sometimes you're so close to it that you just lose touch for a while, and then it comes back again.

It never ends. Whenever we record something, I feel like we are killing it. I would like it to evolve forever. Sometimes you're so close to it that you just lose touch for a while, and then it comes back again. (Image credit: Stefaan Temmerman)

This is the first time Levy actively contributed to an album, and you feel his presence throughout.

This is the first time Levy actively contributed to an album, and you feel his presence throughout. (Image credit: Stefaan Temmerman)

Here you have Lennart doing bass. Whoever feels something necessary will add to the whole. Everyone did a bit of everything.

Here you have Lennart doing bass. Whoever feels something necessary will add to the whole. Everyone did a bit of everything. (Image credit: Stefaan Temmerman)

Mathieu doing clean guitars and soundscapes. His son visited us in the studio, it was quite inspiring having him around.

Mathieu doing clean guitars and soundscapes. His son visited us in the studio, it was quite inspiring having him around. (Image credit: Stefaan Temmerman)

Vocals. I hate doing vocals in the studio.

Vocals. I hate doing vocals in the studio. (Image credit: Stefaan Temmerman)

The last day. It ends. Rien ne va plus

The last day. It ends. Rien ne va plus (Image credit: Stefaan Temmerman)

Mass VI is due for release later this year via Neurot Recordings.

Amenra: Mass V

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Luke Morton

Luke Morton joined Metal Hammer as Online Editor in 2014, having previously worked as News Editor at popular (but now sadly defunct) alternative lifestyle magazine, Front. As well as helming the Metal Hammer website for the four years that followed, Luke also helped relaunch the Metal Hammer podcast in early 2018, producing, scripting and presenting the relaunched show during its early days. He also wrote regular features for the magazine, including a 2018 cover feature for his very favourite band in the world, Slipknot, discussing their turbulent 2008 album, All Hope Is Gone.