Amaseffer
Amaseffer hails from Tel Aviv, Israel and was formed by Erez Yohanan back in 2004 delivering epic Middle Eastern influienced, Progressive Metal with Symphonic touches. Amaseffer(AmHa Seffer)is Hebrew for "People of the Holy Book" in referrence to the Israelites. The intent of Amaseffer is to tell a three part trilogy about the children of Israel from the slavery in Egypt to the entrance into the promised land. 'Slaves for Life' is the first of the trilogy and is a concept album similar to the one released by Signum Regis about the story of Moses and the Exodus. 'Slaves for Life' tells the story of the events starting with the Hebrews slavery, then moves to the birth of Moses then to the Ten plagues.
The initial singer that Amaseffer contacted to help with vocals was Andy kuntz(Vanden Plas). Andy showed enthusiasm and wanted the part so the band flew to Germany to meet up with him however the band soon learned that Andy just wasn't available enough to work with the band. Amaseffer began looking elsewhere to find the lead singer that would best fit with their material and their band. Soon the name Mats Leven was mentiones as a possible candidate as he has worked with such bands as Thrion, Krux, Yngwie Malmsteen, & Fatal Force. Mats showed a big interest in the project so it was decided to send him an audition-package which included lyrics to the song "Slaves for Life" which he had to sing and record his own take on the tune. When the band received his vocal work they were in agreement that they had found their Vocalist. The band finished recording their musical parts in Germany at Bazement Studio with the help of recorder-Markus Teske. Then the band sent a copy of the recorded musical parts to Mats Leven so he could start work on his vocal lines. Mats finished faster than the band had anticipated only taking 3 weeks so the band was able to began looking for a record deal(label). With the help of Markus Teske a copy of the album was sent to the head of A&R at Inside Out Music Record Label in Germany. After a few weeks, the band got an E-mail reply from Oliver Mensing, "We are ready to make an offer!" With that response, the album was finished and the record deal signed allowing the band to move forward after 4 years of hard work.
The initial singer that Amaseffer contacted to help with vocals was Andy kuntz(Vanden Plas). Andy showed enthusiasm and wanted the part so the band flew to Germany to meet up with him however the band soon learned that Andy just wasn't available enough to work with the band. Amaseffer began looking elsewhere to find the lead singer that would best fit with their material and their band. Soon the name Mats Leven was mentiones as a possible candidate as he has worked with such bands as Thrion, Krux, Yngwie Malmsteen, & Fatal Force. Mats showed a big interest in the project so it was decided to send him an audition-package which included lyrics to the song "Slaves for Life" which he had to sing and record his own take on the tune. When the band received his vocal work they were in agreement that they had found their Vocalist. The band finished recording their musical parts in Germany at Bazement Studio with the help of recorder-Markus Teske. Then the band sent a copy of the recorded musical parts to Mats Leven so he could start work on his vocal lines. Mats finished faster than the band had anticipated only taking 3 weeks so the band was able to began looking for a record deal(label). With the help of Markus Teske a copy of the album was sent to the head of A&R at Inside Out Music Record Label in Germany. After a few weeks, the band got an E-mail reply from Oliver Mensing, "We are ready to make an offer!" With that response, the album was finished and the record deal signed allowing the band to move forward after 4 years of hard work.
In 2008 Amaseffer released their full-length debut album titled 'Slaves For Life' on the Inside Out Record label. Listening to Slaves for life' is a joy and a experience that you want soon forget. Some parts come across as though the album was created as a motion picture sound track for a Hollywood movie. Even though the band's from Israel the lyrics are sung in English with between-track narration done in Hebrew by drummer Erez Yohanan. Also, the band incorporates some Middle Eastern musical instruments into their Metal sound to give this band a unique flare. for example Amir Gvirtzman plays Flutes with that sound that is noticeably Middle Eastern and Yatziv Caspi adds even more variance as he plays the Tablas.
Vocalist Mats Leven Has an incredible voice with outstanding control and will appeal to those who like their metal more on the 80's side of the Metal slab but with a modern flare. He really helps to bring life into this epic album with his more than outstanding performance.
The following are some of the lyrics from 'Slaves for life':
"Slaves for Life"
In a land of two horizons
One million suns ago
Where Pharaoh rules
Black magic thrives
Effigies with marble eyes
King of all kings
Not like one before
He never knew of Joseph's sons
Enslave the Hebrews
Kingdom come
Seasons end,
Years went by,
Oppression,
Forced labour,
Bleeding hands blistering our souls
Look for a sign in the pale grey sky
Look for something we might never find
If God exists
Please tell us why
Must we die in the clutching hands of evil?
"Burning Bush"
[Hebrew text:]
('There the angel of the LORD appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush.
Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up' [Exodus 3:2])
I've learnt of brimstones
I've learnt of ambers
But a thing like this
Is far beyond what I've learnt to know
A sorcery of some origin
An ancient force
A flame that keeps to grow
Unburning flame
Undying knowledge
Inflamed can't be this fiery perception
Embrace the strength
Bow and acknowledge
To answer the uncalled Hebrew question
[Hebrew text:]
('When the LORD saw that he had gone over to look,
God called to him from within the bush' [Exodus 3:4])
In a land of two horizons
One million suns ago
Where Pharaoh rules
Black magic thrives
Effigies with marble eyes
King of all kings
Not like one before
He never knew of Joseph's sons
Enslave the Hebrews
Kingdom come
Seasons end,
Years went by,
Oppression,
Forced labour,
Bleeding hands blistering our souls
Look for a sign in the pale grey sky
Look for something we might never find
If God exists
Please tell us why
Must we die in the clutching hands of evil?
"Burning Bush"
[Hebrew text:]
('There the angel of the LORD appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush.
Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up' [Exodus 3:2])
I've learnt of brimstones
I've learnt of ambers
But a thing like this
Is far beyond what I've learnt to know
A sorcery of some origin
An ancient force
A flame that keeps to grow
Unburning flame
Undying knowledge
Inflamed can't be this fiery perception
Embrace the strength
Bow and acknowledge
To answer the uncalled Hebrew question
[Hebrew text:]
('When the LORD saw that he had gone over to look,
God called to him from within the bush' [Exodus 3:4])
If your one of those who thinks you've heard all that Metal has to offer then you really should give Amaseffer a listen and you will see the diversity in Metal music. Recommended to those who like Progressive Metal music. If your heads a little sore from banging it to other harder bands then give it a rest and enjoy some more relaxing Metal that is inspiring.
Musicians:
Yuval Kramer-Guitars
Hanan Avramovich-Guitars
Erez Yohanan-Drums & Percussions & Album Narration
Additional Musicians:
Mats Leven-Lead Vocals
Kobi Farhi-All Oriental Vocals
Angela Gossow-Growl Vocals on "Midian"
Yotam Avni-Growl Vocals on "Midian"
Maya Avraham-Female Vocals on "Zipporah"
Amir Gvirtzman-Flutes
Yatziv Caspi-Tablas on "Slaves for Life" & "Midian"
Yair Yona-Bass on "Zipporah"& "The Burning Bush"
Yuval Kramer-Guitars
Hanan Avramovich-Guitars
Erez Yohanan-Drums & Percussions & Album Narration
Additional Musicians:
Mats Leven-Lead Vocals
Kobi Farhi-All Oriental Vocals
Angela Gossow-Growl Vocals on "Midian"
Yotam Avni-Growl Vocals on "Midian"
Maya Avraham-Female Vocals on "Zipporah"
Amir Gvirtzman-Flutes
Yatziv Caspi-Tablas on "Slaves for Life" & "Midian"
Yair Yona-Bass on "Zipporah"& "The Burning Bush"