amplifier

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Amplifier are a progressive rock band from Manchester, England. The main trio forming the band are singer and guitarist Sel Balamir, bassist Neil Mahony and drummer Matt Brobin. The band has released three albums and two EPs since its inception in 1999. Their self-titled debut album was released in 2004 by Music for Nations. Their second album, Insider was released in Europe in 2006 on the SPV label. Their third album, The Octopus, was released to fans in December 2010 ahead of a full release in January 2011. The band are currently working on a new album.

Amplifier's sound has been described as "Soundgarden, Tool, Black Sabbath, Oceansize and Pink Floyd taking copious amounts of mind-altering substances and venturing on a trip through time and space (to another dimension), and back again."^[1] Their music is characterised by lead singer and guitarist Balamir's effects pedals, extended heavy sections, atmospheric compositions and philosophical lyrics mainly dealing with astronomy, the cosmos and the darker side of human nature.

History

Debut album

After forming around 1998 Amplifier toured the UK and recorded a few demos and sent promo CDs to labels and the press. After being signed in May 2002 by British label Music for Nations, Amplifier were asked to support Deftones at Manchester Apollo. After the two singles 'The Consultancy' (b/w 'Glory Electricity') and 'Neon' (b/w 'Boomtime' and 'Throwaway'), the band’s self-titled debut album was released on the 6th of June, 2004 by Music for Nations – which is a subsidiary of the larger label distributor Zomba Records – and was very well received by English media and critics. As well as the standard 10-track jewel case, the album was released as a 13-track digi-pac. The extra tracks were the two segues (Drawing No1 and No2) and new track 'Half-Life'.

The label ran out of funds and was bought-out by Sony, which was not interested in working with smaller bands. After buying the rights for the album back the band went label-hunting. In 2005, they signed a deal with SPV (Germany). The debut was re-released in May of that year with a second disc containing the three b-sides and 'Half-Life' and videos for the singles "The Consultancy" and "Neon".

Since 2005, the band has done extensive touring both in the UK and Europe. The band uses many effects pedals to create a wall of noise. In some songs vocals are distorted and Balamir samples his guitar to create a thicker sound. Reverb and delay effects often contribute to an eerie atmosphere. The EP "The Astronaut Dismantles HAL" which contains 6 songs as well as a hidden track was released on 17 October 2005. In 2006, the band played numerous festival dates including opening the main-stage at Download Festival, UK

Second album

Their second album, titled Insider includes 12 tracks, three of which were posted to the band's MySpace before the album's release. The band also recorded extra tracks to be used as future b-sides. The album was released on 29 September in Germany and Austria and 2 October in the rest of Europe 2006 on SPV in a Digipack with 12 page booklet. 'Procedures' was chosen as a radio single to promote the album and has been played by Zane Lowe on Radio One. No singles from the album will be released to the public. A video for Procedures was filmed during the band's Munich show, on the European tour.

After their own UK and European tour, Amplifier were main support for Opeth's European Tour. During their European tour in early 2007 they were supported by the Swiss indie rock band Cloudride. Before taking time to write and record their third album Amplifier were main support to Porcupine Tree on their UK tour in April 2007.

Third Album

In March 2008, Amplifier confirmed that they were recording their third and fourth albums simultaneously. In January 2010, Amplifier confirmed that this had changed and that they planned to release the combined works as a double album, named The Octopus. The album was released online a year later in 2011, quickly followed by a full release on 21 February 2011. It was met with generally positive acclaim in the press. After his former band Oceansize had broken up, guitarist Steve Durose joined Amplifier for their 2011 tour.^[2]

Members

• Sel Balamir – Guitar and lead vocals
• Neil Mahony – Bass and backing vocals
• Matt Brobin – Drums
• Steve Durose - Guitar and backing vocals

Discography

Albums

• 2004: Amplifier (Re-issued in 2005)
• 2006: Insider
• 2011: The Octopus (including the 70 page booklet 'limited edition')

EPs

• 1999: Untitled Demo
• 2005: The Astronaut Dismantles HAL
• 2009: Eternity
• 2011: Fractal

Singles

• 2003: "The Consultancy"
• 2004: "Neon"
• 2005: "Everyday Combat" (Radio promo only)
• 2006: "Procedures" (Radio promo only)

External links

• Official site
• Official MySpace
• 2011 interview with Sel Balamir and Neil Mahony on Prog Sphere