Emerging Artist Reviews

AMALA Releases New Instrumental Metal Album "Dark Night"

by The Metalverse

Updated November 09, 2026

AMALA Releases New Instrumental Metal Album "Dark Night"

Tokyo, Japan-based instrumental metal band AMALA released their debut album "Dark Night" on October 2nd. Formed in 2020, AMALA features 7-string guitars, a 5-string bass, and double-kick-driven drumming. After a series of trial-and-error recording sessions with their past music, AMALA has now completed their first full album. The band is made up of four members: Yusuke (guitar), Shun (bass), Toku (drums), and Nori (guitar).

The band states:

These chaotic times feel like the darkness of a moonless night. We look up at the sky in search of an unseen moon, stumbling, getting covered in mud, and standing back up again. Wandering through this darkness is our daily struggle—and life itself. We hope this music can serve as a humble light, illuminating the darkness for someone out there. - AMALA

From my first moment hearing AMALA, their progressive sound is clear. As songs like "Dawn" kick in with polyrhythmic guitar chugging and intentional off-timing as a heavy metal sound is built, there is no doubt they are a prog act. The music effortlessly swaps from dramatic, down-tempo guitar chugs to racing blast beats, and then to soaring, atmospheric guitar solos that add melody. With songs that last from 3 minutes to 11 minutes, AMALA is for the type of listener who enjoys bands like Tool, Meshuggah, and Animals As Leaders and appreciates longer track lengths and a focus on more experimental or progressive music.

The fully instrumental band does a great job of creating lead guitar melodies that are catchy, though it would be really interesting for the band to experiment with instrumental choruses where a guitar lead could act like a vocal hook (this is something that instrumental acts like Polyphia have gotten really good at).

If I had to describe AMALA's music, I would say it reminds me of a little of 2010-era metalcore meets Meshuggah's prog and heaviness. Their sound is very modern and refined but has a distinct classic metal vibe to it at the same time. Overall, "Dark Nights" is a powerful debut release with excellent production that showcases the technical and progressive metal sound that AMALA has to offer.

You can stream "Dark Nights" on all streaming platforms now!