ETERNITY

With a release limited to just 500, this album, which is a real gem in an already pretty wonderful catalogue of releases, isn't going to be finding its way into many peoples record collections and that is a big shame, because this really is an exceptional mini-album. Issued as a thank you to the fans who have stuck with the band for the last 10 years, it features 6 tracks recorded early in the band's life and, for some unknown reason, never intended for release. There is a distinct prog feel to some of the tracks, but also some post rock; the influences are pretty obvious - there's some Soundgarden, Foo Fighters and yet a real feel for understatement, which the two bands mentioned were or are not famous for. There's Floyd, Killing Joke and Levitation also evident and yet it sounds totally unique. Amplifier could easily have taken the wrong turn in deciding to follow their wall of sound space rock epics, because this shows that there are 3 superb musicians in there with the ability to do subtle. The stand out tracks are The Ways of Amplifier, which is deep, moody, soulful and gritty; My Corrosion which I feel is a true rock classic; Departure Lounge and Number One Son are both quality songs, combining all manner of styles and genres. The album leaves you wondering why on Earth the band thought these tracks were not suitable? Early previews of the forthcoming The Octopus suggests the band have returned to this dark and moody period, despite the album being about a race of super-octopuses who breed humans for their psychic energy! The mini-album comes with an amplifier plectrum, a letter from the band and lots of personalised scribbling over the case and CD. If you haven't got it now, you're unlikely to have the original unless you pay through the nose for it. Which is a shame, because this really has been one of the highlights of 2009.