03 Nov 2022 // A review by Paul Goddard
Hardcore.

It tends to mean extreme. Extreme ain’t always good eh?

Look at the world right now. The right wing is rising. The left is also becoming more radicalised. The temperature is rising and along with it so is what it costs us to live on this spinning ball of rock.

That’s the big picture.

Let’s shrink hard down to its core.

Let’s focus on the passion that makes people scream.

Got something to say, then fucking say it out loud.

Make it positive.
Make it inclusive.
Say it through music so it connects.

Hardcore isn’t extreme it is a reality that doesn’t bow down to commercial restrictions from the left or right.

Freedom of speech with a moral compass.

There is no better example on how to spread hope and positivity than on the grind of noise that is the latest EP from Amanaki aptly named Tempest.

These 7 tracks are a journey through isolation and personal tragedy that unfortunately most of us can relate to. The songs are heartfelt and delivered without compromise which should be the definition of how anyone attempts to make music. Amanaki have created a brutal work of art that needs to be heard.

Extreme thoughts tend to be born outside the mainstream. They start underground. A swirl of anger and compassion going left or right there rarely is no middle and if there is it is boring as fuck. Add music from sane, grounded people to the mix of extremes and the outcome can-be a positive explosion of energy, empathy and compassion.

So let’s get to the point.

This EP by Amanaki is one of the most exciting pieces of music I have heard from Aotearoa in years. So often I find NZ bands putting themselves in the position of followers rather than leaders.

Not with Amanaki.

A consistent flow of attitude and musicianship delivered with conviction and a middle finger in the air to anyone who misses the point.

It’s all here.

The production is perfect and this a band who knows who they are and who they want to be. It is also clear they want to be themselves and not some genre sucking wannabes. Tempest is a blast. On first listen it is all energy and anger but keep spinning and you will feel the depth.

Tumour is a song that wound have been hugely difficult to write but is the song that is the soul of this EP. Anyone who has experienced a diagnosis or loss will relate to the call to arms and scream at everything that is unfair about life and death that flows through the veins of this song.

I am not going to dilute this outpouring of mine to a track by track breakdown and tell you how good the guitars/bass/drums are. I know Amanaki won’t give a shit about how much you like them or how well you think they can play.

Listen for yourself and find out.

What I can tell you is you need this band in your life.

The world may seem like it is going nuts. The extremes are getting louder. Nothing in life is fair. We need bands like Amanaki to scream at us and give us some balance so we can walk this tightrope of life.

Honestly do yourself a favour. Stop listening to everything that everyone else listens to. Be a bit more extreme in a compassionate way and get angry about what is wrong with this world and wrong with life. Get an attitude with a positive anger.

Listen to Amanaki and get the songs on Tempest into your soul. You won't regret it.

Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆ ( 5 / 5 )

Auckland & Hamilton based melodic hardcore outfit Amanaki are not wasting time post COVID. Forced into a 420+ day absence between live shows, Amanaki are on track for a comeback.

Recently headlining North Supply Co's Roll The Bones 3 as well as supporting Banks Arcade & The Gloom In The Corner (AUS) in Hamilton and No Life in Auckland and Hamilton. Amanaki are also touring around New Zealand later in the year - stay tuned for dates.

Using lockdown, Amanaki have produced multiple releases of music, featuring some of the scene's best vocalists. With two EP's under their belts and 70,000+ streams on Spotify, Amanaki can't wait to release their next art to the world.

Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for Amanaki

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