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December 9, 2024


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Amebix
Arise! (Alternative Tentacles)

By: Jeb Branin

This is yet another classic re-release by Alternative Tentacles intended to reacquaint the world with the music that laid the foundation for today's underground scene. AMEBIX is credited by many with creating the dark and throbbing tones of metal tinged crust-core and this album was their crowning achievement. When this first came out I picked it up expecting it to be thrash metal. It wasn't. I didn't have a clue what to make of the bizarre sounds I was hearing so I dismissed it as "junk" and quickly traded it away for something that was far more palatable but certainly less distinctive. Although I now have the perspective to truly appreciate this "ahead of its time" album, it is in no way something I am going to wax poetic about. It was without question influential and some of my favorite bands have literally lifted riffs straight from this record, but as I listen to "Arise!" for about the tenth time this week I can't help but be struck by how much AMEBIX are wearing their influences on their sleeve as well. The overall feel of the album is very much has the same vibe as FLIPPER. The guitar riffs are VENOM at 3/4 speed. The liner notes point out the obvious KILLING JOKE and MOTORHEAD nods as well. I am not trying to take anything away from AMEBIX because during their day nobody was bold enough to merge these sounds except them, I just don't feel like the album has aged as well as any of the work of the aforementioned bands.
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