Amen

Amen: We Have Come For Your ParentsWe Have Come For Your Parents (2000)
EMI Group

Reviewer Rating: 4.5

Contributed by: BrandonSideleauBrandonSideleau
(others by this writer | submit your own)
Published on January 31st 2003When I bought the "Rise Above" album last year out of all the great tracks, one stood out even more than the others- "Depression" by Casey Chaos. So, with that, I discovered his band, Amen. Amen are a hardcore punk rock band with slight political leanings, their sound is best described as lyrically.

When I bought the "Rise Above" album last year out of all the great tracks, one stood out even more than the others- "Depression" by Casey Chaos. So, with that, I discovered his band, Amen. Amen are a hardcore punk rock band with slight political leanings, their sound is best described as lyrically a mix between the Dead Kennedys and Black Flag, musically very heavy and mid tempo, and Casey Chao's vocals land somewhere in between Johnny Rotten and Henry Rollins....that is to say that they have that Rotten snarl, but mixed Rollins-esque screams.

Now, onto the album, "We Have Come for Your Parents" was the band's sophmore album, their first under a major label and their first with producer Ross Robinson (I know, don't freak out). I don't know how this album got released on Virgin, it is quite possibly one of the most angry, violent and frenetic albums released in the past ten years. The songs mostly deal with religous hypocrisy (Justified, Dead On The Bible), resistance (Refuse Amen), American ignorance (Mayday). The band is crushingly powerful and Casey has a voice that takes no prisoners. For example, on songs like "Justified" the tempo just gets more and more intense up to a point where the rage just explodes into a screaming fit, similar to Henry Rollins on "My War", but not quite as much. The band even ventures into catchier territory with the song "The Waiting", which features a catchy chorus and doesn't lose the album's intensity at all.

Overall I think this album was quite possibly one of the most overlooked albums of the past few years. If you are interested, you can download a shit load of stuff at their ftp site, which is located on their website. They are taking part in a "Refuse Music" campaign and have posted dozens of live videos, live recordings, demos, and songs from their first album on this ftp site. They have since this album left Virgin and remain unsigned. I have seen some of their live videos and Casey is a very physical singer, although I don't agree with his hatred of rap. Get this album if you like Black Flag, Minor Threat, Dead Kennedys, etc. etc. Great stuff.

Login to rate this album

People who liked this also liked:

Please login or register to post comments.What are the benefits of having a Punknews.org account?

Share your opinion by posting comments on the stories that interest you
Rate music and bands and help shape the weekly top ten
Let Punknews.org use your ratings to help you find bands and albums you might like
Customize features on the site to get the news the way you want.

Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. We are not respon sible for them in any way. Seriously.

miff (November 28, 2005)

the main reason why i bought this album was cos o the great album art
that and my love for their first album

miff (November 28, 2005)

some retard called this band metal
n didnt he look a fool

miff (November 28, 2005)

i liked their selftitled album better after my first listen but now i prefer this tho none of it is as good as coma america

Wiggles (September 10, 2003)

Ah this album kicks serious arse, they are incredibly intense and the sound of the guitars is a good blend of both punk and metal.
Yes there are 2 members from Snot in here (but Limp Bizkit have 1).
If any of you can find the song "Motorcade Horizon" by these guys I seriously recommend getting it. We're talking noise of Discharge proportions!
Also, see them live they do rule.

Anonymous (February 4, 2003)

The only thing better than this album is their live show

-nico

Anonymous (February 3, 2003)

i sure do wish i could give a negative score...

Anonymous (February 3, 2003)

Who the fuck is this crappy band to compare themselves to the Dead Boys?

Dead Boys = Excellent

This Shit= Not so

Anonymous (February 3, 2003)

Casey makes this band...his lyrics and his intensity. Th backing band is great, but they've had line up changes constantly and each has seemed to bring an equal amount of back up intensity. Snot? I know 2 of their members WERE in this band, but not anymore. Just recently casey got a whole new bunch of players. I guess the band name goes along with Casey, kind of how henry rollins can change his back up band and be the same band still.

Anonymous (February 3, 2003)

Actually, both albums are produced by R.Robinsson. And yes, they had two former Snot members, but I think they have only one left now.

Good review though.

boldredletters (February 3, 2003)

Heh, someone told me this band was made up of guys from that band Snot.

Anonymous (February 2, 2003)

Tool isn't nu metal at all...I'd say tool is experimental hard rock. And Amen doesn't sound anything like Tool. I don't see how anyone who knows their stuff could ever say that this is nu metal. I mean, this album is viciously political, violent, loud, and intense. It is highly produced but, fuck, who cares! I'm just sad that it didn't get the credit it deserves. The one single they had and the video for it (which was never allowed to be shown on MTV) "The Price Of Reality" is, unfortuantely, the weakest song on the album. Download "Justified" or "Mayday", those are the best songs....but this record just all out rocks.

waste_elite (February 2, 2003)

and tool ain't nu-metal

Anonymous (February 2, 2003)

Nu Metal?! what the hell r u smoking? you obviously don't know what hardcore punk rock sounds like!

Anonymous (February 2, 2003)

i just got osome songs it sounded really new metal to me maybe i' mcrazy actually for some reason it reminded me of tool but i don't know much about those "scenes" i like crass....either way you have to admit this is way overproduced wayyyyyy over produced.......and money's stupid yr stupid yas fukas...
=D
-sicky nar nar bro bra.
14 y/o girls are the best rock band ever they make me feel sexy.