Amen Before Musick 'Death Before Musick' album

When System Of A Down guitarist Daron Malakian met AMEN's frontman, Casey Chaos at Australia's "Big Day Out" festival in 2002, the two instantly connected through their mutual love of punk rock, black metal and Iggy Pop.

But it was when Malakian heard Chaos's latest demos that he knew he had to be involved, to the point where he staked his reputation on AMEN and made them the first signing to his eatURmusic label. "I see Casey as a visionary" declares Malakian, "Someone who really goes up there and gives 100% of his physical being and self."

The UK has already embraced AMEN's abrasive punk/metal genius, and Chaos & Co. have amassed a string of magazine covers and high profile awards across the pond, including being voted 'Overall Best Band In The World' and 'Best Live Band In The World' by readers of flagship hard rock magazine Metal Hammer. In 2002 AMEN became the first unsigned band to play the main stages at England's prestigious Reading and Leeds festivals, while metal bible Kerrang! magazine drooled "this is the sound of the 21st Century."

AMEN formed in 1994, releasing their eponymous debut album in 1999. But it was the acclaimed follow-up, 2000's We Have Come For Your Parents, which really turned heads. Then a string of misfortunes and missed opportunities plunged Chaos into a period of frustration and betrayal, a dark chapter which he documented within the songs that became AMEN's latest assault, Death Before Musick (which was executive produced by Malakian). Casey Chaos has a history of overcoming adversity and once again he's turned a negative - deserting band-mates, ongoing health problems, the shifting allegiances of the music business - into an irresistible positive: Death Before Musick is his most song-driven disc to date, yet retains AMEN's signature nothing-to-lose vitriol and unflinching integrity - a black flower in a desert of increasingly corporate, conformist rock records.

Chaos, a former mohawked, misfit adolescent and competitive skateboarder, has recently re-built AMEN around him, finally finding four do-or-die-trying soul-mates who are able to deliver his uncompromising message with the vicious, visceral purity he'd always ached for: guitarists Rich Jones (formerly of the Black Halos) and Matt Montgomery, bassist Scott S. Sorry and Brit drummer Luke Johnson.

Death Before Musick is AMEN's definitive musical statement, a furious, frenetic outpouring of pummeling punk irreverence and caffeinated hard-core angst, laced with serrated metal edges and a Rotten-esque sneer. "In my opinion it's the most impactful record we've made," Chaos announces. "There's metal moments, there's real punk moments ... a lot of attitude, honesty and passion."

From the ominous opening strains of "Liberation For ...," Death Before Musick channels '70s and '80s punk rock (Sex Pistols, Black Flag, Fugazi), modern metallic menace, and a flailing, anarchistic adrenaline which is all their own. But amidst the crafted chaos, the big hooks still swing: 'Hello (One Chord Lovers)' and the speaks-for-itself 'California's Bleeding' will pinball around your brain for days. AMEN have made a timeless record because rage, alienation and great songs never go out of fashion.

AMEN's live show is legendary, often leaving Chaos injured amidst airborne mic stands, cymbal shards and sprays of sweat and blood. On-stage AMEN give everything, all the time, and their growing international legions of fans respond with similar commitment. Now, with Death Before Musick truly capturing Chaos's sing-along-suffering, they can get AMEN's unique, restless rush straight from their stereo. With Death Before Musick, AMEN are armed to infiltrate airwaves and audiences everywhere. Brace yourselves ...

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Tracklisting

Amen Before Musick - Death Before Musick