Three New Bands for February
with emo flavorings. Billy Adams, the vocalist likes long drawn out notes, with the lines occasionally puncuated by emotional screams or yells. I've heard the term "emo-screamo" but I think Billy subdued the screaming enough that I won't use that for Amined. Amined reminds me, at times, of Kutless (a heavy-ish alternative band).
Many of the songs seem to be about problems, but there was just enough Christian message (if you're looking for it) that you're reading about Amined here. Many artists subdue the message in order to reach resistant souls. I hope that's Amined's intent.
The guitars, percussion and vocals were all well balanced into a laid back, plodding, darkish heavy alternative style. When the music got into heavy guitar chugging, G.S.Megaphone came to mind, while at other times, some of the solos were reminiscent of some of the '80s "shredders".
I've got to comment on the package, itself. I like old wood for the jacket art. The band's name is placed in various places throughout the jacket, and is barely noticeable in most locations. One thing that caught my attention, and I don't know why, is that between the front and back of the album, the piece of wood looks as if it got broke in order to put the song titles against a black background. Somehow, I saw the knot on the back, and knew that was the same piece of wood as on the front. I'm not sure why I commented on this, but I thought the jacket art was interesting. According to their "webmaster" (webmistress?) Billy did the jacket art, as well as the lead vocals. Inside the album I found lyrics. I like seeing that. I hope they proof-read a bit more thoroughly in their next effort.
I wasn't sure at first, but the more I listen, the more I like Amined. They earn a good 4.
Raymond Scott Woolson's work is one-of-a-kind, at least in my collection. I've used this band in other comparisons, but I have to do it again. Oldies fans might be able to relate: Side two of Kraftwerk's Autobahn tried to generate pictures in the listener's mind without the use of vocals. It was neat stuff. Woolson's work also generates mind-pictures.
Mr. Woolson, doesn't use synthesizers or even samplers, though those tools came to my mind while listening. His instrumental music is made by mixing and editing his own guitar, drum machine and "audio illusion" work. Raymond
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