AMENRA - Mass V (Post Metal / Sludge, 2012)

Their finest work yet - AMENRA surpass their influences/peers to truly come into their own on "Mass V." For its entire four track, 42 minute length, they don't waste a moment, using every single second to create an ominous, brooding atmosphere towards its crushing crescendos. Far superior to the Rosetta and Cult of Luna albums that came out a year later, they essentially show the bigger players in the game how's it done.

I was originally had gripes with the vocals that came across as grating at first, but after listening through this a couple of times, they've truly grown on me. If you have an interest in atmospheric metal/rock, this is a must-listen. Don't waste your time reading a lengthy review, go listen to it now!

9 / 10

Highlights: All of it. Seriously.

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The video below is one of the singles released for the album. Sadly, it omits the opening section of the song with beautiful clean vocals (the only part of the album that features any such vocals), but it's still worth listening to in order to get an idea of what this album's about.