Interviews: AMIENSUS

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Progressive Black Metal band, AMIENSUS, from the USA. Check out the interview and follow the band on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

1. Where did you get the idea for the band name, you plan it or come out just like that?

James: The correct answer was that it was made up. The answer we generally prefer to give is that we stole the name from the Amiens Cathedral in Amiens, France.

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

James: What genre are we playing exactly? It’s pretty tough to determine because we set out to make music incorporating all of our musical interests and influence but keep it somewhat in the metal genre. We grabbed the tag “progressive black metal” a decade ago after seeing some reviews mention it. Originally, our love of black metal is what united us in wanting to make music though.

3. Did you know each other before the band was formed?

James: There’s been several members in the band, and some of us met and started playing music together in high school, or college, so essentially, yes, though many of us have known each other half of our lives or longer at this point already. We have several “non-live” members that contributed/continue to contribute to the writing in this band still to this day as well.

4. Each band member's favorite band?

Chris: Harakiri for the Sky, Opeth, Gaerea

Todd: Cynic, Opeth, Leprous

James: Led Zeppelin, UnderOath, Agalloch

Joe: Chela Rhea, Moonspell, Winterfylleth

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

James: In general we pull our inspiration and motives, like most artists, from our lived experiences. Most of our lyrics are inspired by nature, religion philosophy, and addiction.

6. Where was your last gig?

James: Our last show was in Green Bay, WI, at the end of a run of shows with friends in January 2023.

7. Where would you like to act?

James: We are happy to perform wherever it makes sense. I would prefer warmer weather and shows as we are from the northern parts of the US mainly. 

8. Whom would you like to tour with?

James: It would be a dream for me personally to tour with Agalloch. I think we could create a setlist from our vast discography to play with a wide range of bands and acts, however, from metalcore, and death metal setlists, to black metal, to an acoustic performance.

9. Whom not?

James: I would not like to tour with any of my other bands or my bandmate's bands, because playing 2 sets a night is awful.

10. Have any of you ever suffered from stage fright? Any tip for beginners on how to beat that?

James: Who hasn’t? Avoiding substances (alcohol, THC, etc.…) is my biggest tip. Take up some pre-show mindfulness techniques. Or smoke a beer, I'm not your dad.

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

James: Musically, for me personally, Agalloch and Underoath, and performance-wise, Led Zeppelin. I’d also mention Arcturus and Antoine Dufour musically.

12. What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for?

James: Nothing very weird overall. Some have asked for specific vocal covers or whole song covers that I genuinely couldn’t comprehend ever doing seriously (maybe karaoke), but generally the only “outrageous” request we get is for free shipping/free merch. I’m pretty generous and try to include something extra with a lot of merch we ship by ourselves already, and I don’t think people know what the cost margins are on merch generally, even as expensive as merch tends to be these days.

13. What do you think of your fans?

James: I am forever grateful for making the dreams of some teenage boys (and girls). Every time we release music or play shows, I’m always shocked at the number of people who care. It means so much to see how people interpret our music and lyrics, and we love any and all interactions honestly.

14. What do you think of our site?

James: It’s sleek and simple, which I enjoy, and isn’t full of ads like many other music sites. The tabs on your front/home page really encourage people to find new and interesting music and support more than the large artists. I love the inclusion of Bandcamp in so many ways. Without Bandcamp, we’d probably have never gotten an audience.

15. Something to add?

Of course, I’d love for you to listen to Amiensus's new double LP “Reclamation”, and pick up a digital or physical copy if you like what you hear. However, if you’re unable to afford any of our discography, please just message us.