AMAROK: THE POWER OF SOLITUDE

    There is a fine line between loneliness and solitude, as one can lead to the other quite easily. Solitude is necessary and sought after, as it can help us gather our thoughts and unwind; however, dwelling too much time in isolation can hinder our ability to relate to others. Loneliness, on the other hand, is involuntary and draining, with no space for growth; but if one finds the necessary strength, loneliness can slowly morph into a very productive self-reflecting space. 

     Yet, an inquiry still remains: Who are we when alone? Are we truly ourselves or do we just end up rehearsing the performative, idealized version of what we want to present to the world? And, in these trying times, with the world burning down, both in the literal and metaphorical sense, are we not to extend our energy outwards instead of withdrawing further inwards? 

     These questions easily flood the mind while blasting Amarok’s introspective, and emotionally heavy, doom metal at full volume on my headphones. The band, hailing from Chico, California, make a compelling argument for self-imposed exile in a secluded cabin within the depths of an undisclosed forest through their use of vast spaces to connect their bass-heavy chords and thunderous drum hits; in between, we might hear haunting feedback, the lingering sustain of two harmonizing distorted guitars or the fainting reverb of shrieking screams. There’s continuity, there’s coherence between one section to the next, but an ever-present tension abounds, equal to the feeling of being hunted or stalked during a nocturnal stroll. It is also epic and, through its melancholy, there is a reassuring sense of optimism, as if we just had survived a near-death experience; after all, never falling prey to what stalked us during our journey, in our lonesome and most vulnerable, can be quite life-affirming as we make it out of the woods, unscathed, heading back into the world. 

     Amarok have been around since 2010, and while they have been keeping a steady route driven by mournful riffage and lethargic tempos, their upcoming release sees the band expanding their sound through collaboration with artists from different worlds, but still pretty tethered to dark, abrasive and heavy music. A rework of their previous album (2024’s Resilience), the upcoming Overcome is reimagined by artists like Vermin Womb/Primitive Man’s Ethan Lee McCarthy, the industrial harsh noise of Gridfailure, and the cinematic ambience of Leila Abdul-Rauf, among many others.

     Nonetheless, Amarok’s current tour is to keep promoting their 2024 opus, Resilience, and their two Baja dates will be in Mexicali (with Abyssal, Necis and Nightpath), and Tijuana (with Alkitran, Abyssal and Ambergaze), brought in a joint effort by The Hand and AntiFronteras Fest.