Lingüa Brütallica - Episode 21: Cain Cressall and Tim Pope of The Amenta (Sydney)

Lingua Brutallica

This episode brings to the fore the combined lyrical prowess of The Amenta's Cain Cressall (vocals) and Tim Pope (keyboards, samples). When approaching their lyrics, Cain and Tim draw on a diverse array of linguistic resources to engage in language play. Refusing to submit to presumed linguistic 'rules', the two lyricists wear their linguistic repertoire as an action suit rather than a straitjacket. The resulting amalgam of ambiguous neologisms, intentional mondegreens and graphic manipulations produce layers of meaning, extending across both oral and written modalities, whose significance is often mysterious, even to the authors themselves. In fact, Cain and Tim deliberately avoid sharing with each other explanations for their lyrical choices, opting instead to allow the other writer to adopt the viewpoint of their listeners who are permitted to interpret the lyrics free from their author's intervention. The ultimate effect is such that The Amenta's lyrics slowly envelope the listener, or devoted lyric reader, in an inescapable air of unease.

To experience The Amenta's discomforting quality, see https://theamenta1.bandcamp.com/