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Amen (American band)

From Alfawiki
Amen
Company typeBand
IndustryMusic
Founded1994 in Los Angeles, California, United States
FounderCasey Chaos (Karim Chmielinski)
Defunct2024
FateDisbanded following death of frontman Casey Chaos
Headquarters
Los Angeles
,
United States
ProductsPunk rock and heavy metal music albums and performances

Amen was a Los Angeles-based American band formed in 1994 by frontman Casey Chaos (Karim Chmielinski), known for merging punk rock and heavy metal influences. While their impact in the United States was modest, Amen cultivated a dedicated fan base in the United Kingdom. The group experienced numerous personnel shifts over the years, with Chaos remaining the only consistent member until his passing in late 2024.

Origins and first release (1994)

Following the dissolution of Casey Chaos's earlier project, Disorderly Conduct, Amen came into existence. The band's name pays homage to Disorderly Conduct’s 1986 album titled Amen.

Their debut record, Slave, was predominantly composed and performed by Chaos himself, with guitarist and keyboardist Greg Barrybauer contributing on select tracks. This album was recorded in Los Angeles and had a limited pressing of 2,000 copies. Subsequently, Chaos partnered with producer Ross Robinson and secured a contract with Roadrunner Records.

Self-titled major label album (1994–1999)

Upon signing with Roadrunner and collaborating with Ross Robinson, Amen expanded their lineup to include drummer Shannon Larkin, bassist Tumor, and guitarists Paul Fig and Sonny Mayo. Their first major label release, the self-titled Amen, arrived on September 21, 1999. Unfortunately, insufficient support from the label led to the band's breakup later that year, prematurely ending tours including a planned European segment.

That same year, the UK saw the release of their EP Coma America, which earned Single of the Week honors from Kerrang! magazine, also naming it "undoubtedly the Album of the Decade."

We Have Come for Your Parents and Virgin Records era (2000–2003)

By 2000, Amen had signed with Virgin Records for their third studio project. Maintaining the existing lineup, they recorded We Have Come for Your Parents at Los Angeles’ Sound City, releasing it on October 31, 2000. The album title is a nod to The Dead Boys' We Have Come for Your Children.

The record quickly gained traction in the UK market, peaking at Number 77 on the charts in November 2000. Two singles from the album charted: "Too Hard to Be Free" reached Number 72 while "The Waiting 18" climbed to Number 61.

Prior to the album launch, "The Price of Reality" was issued as a single accompanied by a promotional video that mirrored the album’s visual theme. In 2002, this video was featured on Streetwise DVDs at FYE stores and earned Metal Hammer magazine’s Video of the Year accolade.

The success of We Have Come for Your Parents prompted extensive touring activities, including a re-release in Australia in conjunction with the 2002 Big Day Out festival. During this period, guitarist Paul Fig departed and was replaced by Rich Jones.

By 2002, We Have Come for Your Parents was recognized as the second-best album by Rock Sound and ranked fourth by Kerrang!. Amen recorded a fourth studio album with Ross Robinson at the end of 2001; however, Virgin Records decided against releasing it due to commercial concerns. The band was dropped from Virgin in March 2002 but faced a $200,000 fee to reclaim their recordings—an amount they could not afford amid financial difficulties caused by delays. Despite fan efforts to see it released, the album remained shelved. Chaos later reflected that these monetary challenges nearly led to Amen’s demise.

During this timeframe, Amen issued Join, or Die, a compilation featuring b-sides and rare material released through Chaos's own label Refuse Music. This limited edition run consisted of 2,000 copies—1,000 of which were autographed by Chaos using his own blood—and was sold during their UK tour in 2003. Around this time, guitarist Sonny Mayo and bassist John Fahnestock exited the band.

Death Before Musick and Gun of a Preacher Man (2003–2007)

In 2003, Casey Chaos teamed up with Daron Malakian from System of a Down to record a demo for Malakian's side project, Scars on Broadway. When Malakian established his label EatUrMusic, operating under Columbia Records, Amen became the inaugural act signed. The band's lineup grew to include bassist Scott Sorry, guitarist Matt Montgomery (Piggy D.), and drummer Luke Johnson, who collectively worked on Amen's fourth studio release, Death Before Musick, which came out on April 13, 2004.

The album’s lead single, "California's Bleeding," marked Amen's highest chart achievement, peaking at Number 52 on the UK Singles Chart for two consecutive weeks. The accompanying music video depicted the band members progressively covered in blood, with an alternate cut featuring a toned-down version.

During this era, guitarist Rich Jones exited the group and was succeeded by Acey Slade. Amen also issued their first live video titled Caught in the Act, capturing a performance at Manchester Academy on February 1, 2003. This same concert was later released as the live album Gun of a Preacher Man in 2005 through Snapper Records.

In 2005, Casey Chaos released a compilation called Pisstory: A Catalogue of Accidents, a Lifetime of Mistakes via his own label Refuse Music, which included previously unreleased Amen material. That year, the band toured the United Kingdom with a lineup featuring Jinxx, Joe Letz, John King, and Nate Manor.

By 2007, Amen appeared on The Henry Rollins Show Season 2, Episode 14, performing "Coma America," retitled "Coma Amerikkka," against a backdrop displaying an Iraqi flag. This lineup reunited returning members John Fahnestock and Duke Decter, alongside new additions Chris Alaniz and John King. Their UK tour during this period was their last to date.

Also in 2007, Casey Chaos was honored by ranking number 53 on Hit Parader's list of the "All-Time Top 100 Underground Stars."

Return, upcoming fifth album and death of Casey Chaos (2014–2024)

Following an extended hiatus, Amen confirmed on February 26, 2014, that they would participate in the UK’s Alt-Fest, scheduled for August 16 that year. Although the festival was ultimately canceled, the band reunited later that year on October 25 at Knotfest, performing alongside Stone Sour drummer Roy Mayorga and debuting new material live. Subsequently, several new tracks were recorded with producer Ross Robinson and former Slayer drummer Dave Lombardo for what was intended as their next studio album.

In an interview from August 2014, Lombardo clarified that his involvement was limited to guest contributions for the recording sessions rather than as an official member of the band.

By May 2015, Amen was close to finishing their forthcoming album initially planned for release later that year; however, its launch experienced significant delays over subsequent years. Casey Chaos passed away in December 2024 due to a heart attack, bringing an end to Amen’s activities. The fifth studio album had been completed before his death and is anticipated to be released posthumously.

Final lineup

  • Casey Chaos − lead vocals (1994–2009, 2014–2024; deceased 2024)
  • John Fahnestock – bass guitar (1999–2003, 2007–2009, 2014–2024)
  • John King – guitar (2005–2009, 2014–2024)

Former members

  • Shannon Larkin – drums (1998–2002)
  • Sonny Mayo – guitars (1998–2002)
  • Paul Fig – guitars (1994–2001)
  • Rich Jones – guitars (2001–2004)
  • Piggy D. – guitars, bass (2003–2004)
  • Joe Letz – drums (2005)
  • Acey Slade – guitars (2004)
  • Scott Sorry (Deceased) – bass (2003–2004)
  • Blake Plonsky – drums (2003)
  • Zach Hill – drums (2001)
  • Josh Hill – guitars (2001)
  • Luke Johnson – drums (2003–2005)
  • Jinxx – guitars (2005)
  • Chris Alaniz – drums (2007)
  • Nate Manor – bass (2005)
  • Duke Decter – guitars (2005–2009, 2014)

Touring members

Session musicians

Albums

Studio releases

External links

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