Chaos Downunder - Big Day Out Tour Site

AMEN

As far as punk rock goes, AMEN might just be today's closest thing. Their music might not be glossy, technically polished or complex, but it is an authentic expression of a lifestyle, with poetry and motion inspired by a forward looking present rather than a rapidly fading past. Amen's music is exciting, and the bands intense commitment to their music is a refreshing change from hearing bands who so often, have it all picture perfect, and have forgotten the fundamental quality needed to make anything creative transcend the ordinary. The ones who have lost "The element of risk."

Casey takes risks head on. He gets into bed with addictions and
diseases when he makes music.He's broken ribs and shed blood
in the vocal booth. Amen's live shows have incited riots. On stage,
Casey exists in a harsh domain fueled by rage; it takes over his body
as if he's in a trance. Amen's sonic violence has garnered devoted
fans worldwide.

Where hardcore, metal, and punk have taken on a commercial tone
and sold their souls over the past few years, Amen is an exorcism in the form of a car crash. Amen's sophomore effort We Have Come For Your Parents, released on Ross Robinson's I AM Recordings through Virgin Records, is an important album because it dares to take an uncensored ax to society. It's a verbal and musical attack on the American Dream.

The album was recorded at Sound City Studios located on the bleak outskirts of Los Angeles. Nothing could prepare Amen, the studio or even Ross Robinson for the reality which became We Have Come For Your Parents.

The 14-track album takes music to a new level. Amen's lyrics have a prose-like overtone that eventually ends in the hostility that spawned them. "CK Killer" is a homage to pop fashion's ability to slaughter individuality. "Piss Virus" reflects how the computer age has induced self-hatred and divided the spirits of millions of Americans. On "Justify," which exposes how greed and false ideologies have made prisoners of themselves, Casey screams "Walk away, it's just a flaming halo/In this blame invention/Get up and set fire to your church."

"America is the most poverty stricken country on the planet--it's a poverty of the soul and spawned Casey Chaos," says Robinson who also produced Amen's self-titled debut album released on I AM/Roadrunner in 1999. The album was hailed by critics as a welcome wake up call and even prompted former Sex Pistol Steve Jones to confess, "Amen's more pissed off than we ever were." Of We Have Come For Your Parents Robinson adds, "This is the most violent record ever to be released by a major label. There is no record on the planet ever made that hits the same level of intensity."

In a culture that blames music for the violence committed by
gun-toting high-schoolers, Casey asks, "Why don't kids kill
more often? America is a violent society that is at war with
what it is told to be and what it is. Music does not define
society, society defines music. It's the outlet, a reflection.
The establishment is just looking for someone to blame for
the violence and uses music as the scapegoat instead of
taking a look at what they themselves have created."

"The American dream has instilled in our culture a raw thirst for fame and money as defined by Britney Spears and the Calvin Kleins of the world, whom I consider to be the real murderers at large," explains Casey. "It is an ideology without substance, spoon fed to the working class to keep them down. We are told to pray to false icons, we are told to eat, breath, walk, look a certain way - and its all lies. It's not who we really are. It's not who I am. That's what punk rock is all about - a musical form to express outrage at the bourgeois pigs' attempt to define society by hiding the truth."

Art in its truest form is meant to remind people of who they are, and offer a mirror into the realms of their souls that they are afraid to look at. Casey ingests his disease because he wants to be free of it, the same disease that exists in all people. Art is the vaccine, not only for the creator, but for the audience as well. In a world where most people are afraid to look in the mirror - Amen tears off the mask.

Well you might of seen the Superheist pics and why they were taken abit to the side. The reason being is that I want to get a good view of Amen. This set was a major highlight of my day. I knew Casey Chaos was a crazy mother but when your their it doesn�t compare to what you see on television. The guy is one hardcore mother and I had the pleasure of meeting him the next day very nice person too I might add. Amen�s set was awesome. Rich Jones was out during Superhiest�s set adding final touches too a quick sound check as well as talking to C.J from Drowning Pool.

When the guys hit the stage John Tumor and Mayo and Rich Jones gave each other the fist five�s and as soon as I saw that there was a feeling that these guys were here to do major business. Then Casey Chaos hit the stage and they got right into it. After the first song Chaos threw the mic on the ground and broke it. Then after getting a new one he made good use of it by banging his head on it which eventually split his head open. That was not it though Chaos climbed up to the speakers on the right hand side of the stage and jumped of it as well as trashing the drum kit which had the stage attendants working overtime.
Amen played alot of tracks of their current album �We Have Come For Your Parents� but they did play one or two tracks that will appear on their forthcoming album which was cool. Chaos had the crowd going crazy getting us to chant stuff like �Amen Suck� and also �Natalie Imbruglia� which I thought was weird. He also stated that there was no fame saying �There�s no fucking famous people here, we might be up on stage but were just like you� which got the crowd even more involved.

On the sound side of things, well they were great. Larkin was awesome on drums, in my opinion it was the best drum display I witnessed all day he was great, Guitars and bass were good as were the vocals. To top the set of, Casey Chaos crowd surfed in the mosh pit with the mic chord extended which made Amen fans happy and satisfied as to what they seen. Although I didn�t get to see the White Stripes play, I think it is fair enough to say that this was the band that suprised people the most. If you didn�t catch this gig you will regret it. It was hardcore at it�s best, Great set killer in my
opinion.

By Simon Kirk

Artist: Amen Album: We have Come For Your Parents (Australian Tour Edition)

Well I suppose all you guys are wondering why the fuck i'm reviewing this album for the fact that it came out in 2000. Ok for those who don't know they just released an Australian Tour Edition so I though I would kill two birds with one stone and review the whole album as well. Also because I
saw them at the Big Day Out last week was another reason why I planned to review this album, so here goes.

Well I don't know were to start with this album, maybe by saying that it is absolutly awesome. After listing to it 4 times in a row the 4th time really knocked me on my ass. I don't know how Casey Chaos built up so much rage and anger but he is to be commended on it thats for sure. The first song really sums it up as far as making themsleves heard and the titled really says it all "Calvin Kleins the killer" which is pretty self explanatory for those who haven't listened to the album yet. The way these guys go about things is what I like about them. Minumal media and guys for " Fuck the fame tag" status is what I admire about these guys and after listening to their album you can see why the boys like this kind of reputation. Other tracks that shouldn't go without mention on the album are, well simply all of them from "In this church we will burn all the lives of the women" "Justified" to "Hey you with your head held high,inbred on the 4th July" "Mayday". That's how good this album really is. Every trackon the album points across the message that Casey Chaos (vocalist for those that don't know) is giving to Amen listeners. Another thing to point out the talent of guitars bass and drums and just how good it is which is one of the many other aspects that should be commended on this album. Listers also can grab a tastes to Amen's live shows on the bonus disc with two live tracks on it as well as previously unreleased material.

Listening to their live material really gets a feel of their intense live shows. Although listening to their album is a good start and then when you work your way to their live shows then you realise how much these guys are respected even though they haven't got the worlds largest fan base, it's the way they like it. One of the best albums I have listened to over the years. It is in my top 10 of all the records I have listened too without doubt.

Lets just hope that there next album which is released later this year is just as good as this one, we
can only hope.

Reviewed by Simon Kirk

One of the most revealing and confronting ways to experience music as an art is through live performance. No matter what kind of beat or sound gets you going, there is nothing quite like watching the music being created right before your eyes.
On the evening of Thursday, the 24th of January, California�s AMEN displayed how they have moulded this confrontation to perfection, with their stage show reflecting the brutality and angst that is the driving force behind the five piece. Tonight, AMEN are supporting act for friends, System of A Down. System have earned much airplay through their smash single �Chop Suey!� resulting in an explosion of new fans. As a consequence of this, the audience is a mixed crowd of hardcore metal exotics and displaced 14-year-old pop princesses, who I�m sure didn�t quite know why they were there. After AMEN�s set, I�m sure they were reminded why they should have been home in bed.
Being a fan of such a band does create bias. Nevertheless, as I stood at the front of the barricade as AMEN began their live set at the Hordern Pavillion, I was enchanted. I never knew quite what to expect, but what I saw and heard made me realise� how could I possibly have expected anything else? Either way, whoever you are, their show will either leave you horrified or blissful. I assure you, you will be captivated.
AMEN�s sound alone is volatile and raw, and these elements are magnified and multiplied through their stage presence. The unpredictable nature of AMEN�s live show does little to hinder their distinctive sound.
The band�s onstage self-skirmish is indeed a show of its own, with front man Casey Chaos having one aim � destruction. On occasion, Casey may miss a few lines as he becomes preoccupied with climbing the speaker stacks, drum kit, whatever he can find, much to the audiences approval. This visual assault does no more than add to the bliss fans are feeling as they are forced to now feel the presence of AMEN. This is long-awaited sensual feast for the freaks. All five of the boys feed off each other as they drive out their tunes, provoking the audience to react likewise - brutally and explosively.
As the boys ripped through favourites, �Piss Virus�, �I Don�t Sleep� and of corse �Price of Reality� were personal highs. An evening that will never be forgotten, the 45 minutes was certainly not long enough, but who knows if we would have survived any further.
AMEN are a band who�s diversity will attract many fans in years to come, and fulfil those of us who are privileged enough to know and love their music � let�s just hope we get to see more of them.

By Casey Smith
(30/1/02)

AMEN w/ MINDSNARE courtesy of Beat magazine [6th feb 2002]
Corner Hotel - 31st January 2002

It's easy to make fun of metal bands. Until, of course, at the end of the show amongst profuse adoration by the fans and endless thank-yous, highly animated and perpetually middle-fingered singer Casey Chaos says something along the lines of "We'ew just a shitty litle punk band". Punk? Then, after the show winds up, Casey literally rushes to the entrance of the room and gleefully signs flyers and talks to the fans. Is it reaffirming his market demographic or just being accessible?
But first, to a thin crowd at a half closed off Corner Hotel on a Thursday night, Melbourne's premiere hardcore act Mindsnare produced a slighty bemused but energetic set, showcasing the scope of their long career. They belted out their metallic hardcore, screeched and wryly observed that people should be careful in the pit, since the maelstrom of one or two headbangers could have gone out of control. While giving their all to a crowd who didn't seem to be there for Amen (although I didn't see too many people leave afterwards) their presence seemed a touch misplaced.
Now to the metal/punk antics of Amen. With black hair dye on their rider, torn sleeves on their black tee-shirts and a comical mix of Misfits facial contortions and palpable energy, Amen came out for their die-hard contingent. The crowd filled out slightly and every long-hair who'd forked out was a devotee, welcoming the microphone in the crowd to shout along and cramping their hands in the almighty rock salute. But what came to the fore were their songs, blistering tirades, albeit melodramatic ones, had a very distinct vibrancy to them, each recognisable to those who probably hadn't heard them before (I hadn't heard the first record either). And, unless it was an affectation, the band seemed to really care about their audience, dragging a girl back in after she'd been spirited off by bouncers, playing encores and keeping those who'd memorised the words and mocked-up their own tee-shirts wholly ecstatic.
It's easy to make fun of metal bands and the fans but when, in return for a light of his cigarette, one offers you a smoke (thanks buddy), when they hand over a fair sum to see a band that they're truly dedicated to, when the bands throws down all they have on a Thursday night to little over a hundred people, you can sense a unity that punk shows hardly appreciate anymore. Punk? Apart from the hyperbolic showmanship, it seems Amen have got the punk ethic down pat.
ANDREW TIJS

Casey Chaos from Amen' s:
Good: Daron from System Of A Down and Iggy
Bad: P.O.D or Creed
Ugly: Me

Thanks to King Bean for sending these articles in.

My apologies go out to all you guys for not doing one of these since the eve of the Big Day Out, I thought you guys didn�t like these columns so I took abit less time on them and done other stuff around the site but I have received some emails saying to bring this section back so here it is. The
next question is what I�m going to write about cause I�m a little rusty in this section but I�ll try my best to give you guys what you want out of this section so here goes.

The topic today is Amen. Recently touring Australia for the Big Day Out and currently in the studio recording their forthcoming album I just wanted to commend these guys on a fantastic job that they have done with their careers. They without doubt won alot of hearts over during and after the Big
Day Out tour which what had to be done on a fan point of view and you would agree with me if you saw these guys live, they had it all and despite playing a early set except for the Adelaide leg they still managed to rip shit up onstage. Prior to the Big Day Out I was chatting to many punters just like myself who thought Amen were to over the top and in more specific words they thought Casey was to over the top but I�m sorry to say but they were wrong, what he does onstage is what he wants to do and as he said in his own words �were just here to wreck ourselves� really sums up what is done onstage.

The guy is a genius in my opinion and I had the pleasure of meeting him which was a big highlight. They had 100 songs written for their forthcoming album which is an achievement itself. It is also said that when Amen is not touring Shannon Larkin is over at Casey house every night writing new material so it�s not as though they get sick of it, they can�t get enough of it which is how music should be. Casey also made the statement while the guys were over here for the BDO about their first album, he said to go and download it of the Internet because the record company �Roadrunner� had not been loyal to them and treated them badly. Not many bands would tell their fans to download their album as to buying it from the record store let me tell you

Casey Chaos and Shannon Larkin don�t stop there though, recently joining forces with Josh Homme and Nick Oliveri from Queens Of The Stone Age to form a band by the name of �Head Band� which will be very interesting to hear, in fact I can�t wait because in my opinion QOTSA are one of the best if not the best rock band in the world today. Well I have gone on about Casey and Shannon so don�t threat because now I�m going to talk about the other half of Amen. Tumor and Mayo who are ex-members of Snot joined Amen and added fuel to fire without a doubt and there�s Rich Jones formerly of the �Black Halos� who recently joined Amen due to the departure of former Guitarist Paul Fig who is now in a band by the name of �Blue Bird�. The fans have defiantly taken a liking to Rich that�s for sure and why shouldn�t they because he knows how to play. He had to learn the songs strait away and that�s not to mention learning the new songs on the forthcoming album which majority had already been written prior to Rich joining the band which shows that this guy has some major talent.

So there you guys have it, That�s my opinion on Amen, you guys might think that all I write about it positive stuff but in truth I don�t bother much about writing abusive stuff cause basically it gets know where because there�s someone bigger around the corner that�s ready to burn me so that�s why I don�t write much abusive stuff, that doesn�t mean I can put in the odd dig though. Lets hope Amen next offeringis as good as the previous one because if it is look out and lock your kids in the bedroom because it will be havoc which is what us Amen fans want.

- Simon Kirk