The Belgian metallers show how a Silverburst LP, vicious 100-watters, and precisely placed 'verbs take them to realms most dark.
Over the course of seven studio albums, two EPs, and five live albums, the Belgian quintet have explored the extremes of pounding doom, grinding sludge, spacy hardcore, haunting folk, and thematically grim that all coalesce together to create Amenra.
In this episode, Amenra bassist Tim De Gieter interviews bandmate guitarist Lennart Bossu (also of Oathbreaker) who showcases a rare Les Paul hybrid and early Kurt Ballou design, breaks down his 100-watt fascination (and a slimmed-down contingency plan for cleans), and demos core sounds that involve ethereal reverb and gruesome gain.
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1988 Gibson Les Paul Standard Silverburst Showcase Edition
Above is a 1988 Gibson Les Paul Standard Silverburst Showcase Edition that's been Amenra guitarist Lennart Bossu's main stage companion for over 10 years. The Showcase Edition run was something Gibson did in the late '80s where they did a limited run (200 pieces each over a total of nine models).
Originally, this Silverburst came with an ebony fretboard (a Les Paul Custom feature) and EMG 85s. Bossu didn't like how the active pickups manipulated his tone so he retrofit the LP with a more normal voice by way of a pair of Gibson passive humbuckers (500T and 498R).
Bossu tunes down to b standard for Amenra and sometimes goes into a DADGAD variant (B–F#–B–E–F#–B). All his electrics take D'Addario EXLs (.013–.056) and he plays with Pickboy Carbon Nylon Sharp 1.14 mm picks.
GodCity Instruments Guitar
Here's one of Kurt Ballou's earliest GodCity Instrument designs that Bossu acquired in 2012. He typically used this with his other band Oathbreaker. However, that band has become dormant so he tunes this beast to B for Amenra songs. Compared to his silverburst, Lennart says the GCI is brighter and has a trebly bite because of its maple body and neck.
1996 Gibson Les Paul Custom
Now if Bossu's gear stash was in a fire, this 1996 Gibson Les Paul Custom would be the item he'd grab. He doesn't tour with it (saves it for special one-off shows), but uses it extensively in the studio. He's played and owned older, more valuable Les Pauls, but this particular one is magic in his hands. At one point he did try EMGs in it (losing the original pickups in the process), but he's since brought it back to its natural state with some Gibson 'buckers (498T and 490R).
Gibson J-45
For any acoustic flourishes on Amenra's Mass albums and 2021's De Doorn, Lennart will use this Gibson J-45.
Marshall JMP 2203 and a late '70s Ampeg V-4
Amenra crushes so the firepower needed comes from this 100-watt, one-two punch—a Marshall JMP 2203 and a late '70s Ampeg V-4.
Bossu will run the Marshall in two ways: He'll plug into the low input and dime the preamp control creating a clean pedal platform. (In the video, bassist Tim De Gieter asks Bossu how that's possible and Lennart explains that it must be a fluky head because it has more headroom than a typical Marshall.) The other way he'll run it would be in the high input with the preamp around five and then pushing it harder with a TS-style overdrive.
The V-4 is similar to the Marshall in that it gets its growl from pedals and usually stays pretty clean on its own.
Mesa/Boogie 4x12
Depending on the situation, either head would hit this standard Mesa/Boogie 4x12 that's loaded with Celestion Vintage 30s.
Radial JDX-48 Reactor Guitar Amp Direct Box
For touring, Amenra's FOH engineer will insert the above Radial JDX-48 Reactor Guitar Amp Direct Box so the V-4 has a direct signal at his disposal in case mics are moved or something in the room impacts the Ampeg's tone.
Fender '65 Deluxe Reverb
For recorded clean tones, Bossu will a Fender '65 Twin Reverb reissue combo.
Shift Line Twin MkIIIS
However, in recent times, he's brought the Shift Line Twin MkIIIS and ran that and used the '65 as an extension cab. The Russian pedal recreates the Twin Reverb's preamp and allows him to use impulse response cab sim and also sends a direct line to FOH. The blue box has a thru input that allows Lennart to plug the pedal into the '65without altering the Fender's tonal character giving him the option to toggle between the preamp of the pedal or the combo.
Quilter Labes Tone Block 201
Fly-in gigs provide Bossu with an amp crapshoot as he's at the mercy of backline companies and their stash. When cartage is light, he'll slip the Quilter Tone Block 201 into his travel bag and rest easier knowing he's got something to work with when the band hits the stage.
Lennart Bossu's Pedalboard
Trying to keep travel costs down and restrict his pedal pleasures, Bossu forces himself to keep his pedalboard to this size. Currently, he's working with a pair of flexible EarthQuaker Devices reverbs—Afterneath (cavernous and deep) and Levitation (delicate and pristine with added modulation). For lead sounds he'll run the TC Electronic Hall of Fame Mini with the MXR Carbon Copy delay. The enraged Amenra tones come to life with either the Providence Stampede STD-1 Distortion or Fulltone OCD (he prefers the 18V setting for more amp-like distortion).
All the pedals are run through and governed by a Providence PEC-2 Programmable Effects Controller, all his guitars are kept in check by a Boss TU-3S Chromatic Tuner, and dynamics and feedback are harnessed by the Boss FV-30 Volume Pedal.
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Four-time Grammy Award-winning guitarist Gary Clark Jr. announces his 2025 North American tour.
Kicking off at Grand Sierra Resort and Casino in Reno, NV on February 19, the tour will continue with shows in Houston, Atlanta, Nashville, Charlotte, and more before concluding on March 15 in Hollywood, FL at Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood.
Artist presale will begin tomorrow, October 2 at 10am local time, with public on-sale to follow on Friday, October 4 at 10am local time. Sign up now at https://www.garyclarkjr.com/ for a first chance at tickets.
JPEG RAW is Clark's first album since 2019’s critically lauded This Land, which became his third consecutive top 10 on the Billboard 200 chart and garnered three Grammy Awards, including Best Rock Song and Best Rock Performance ("This Land") and Best Contemporary Blues Album (This Land). Clark’s first Grammy win was awarded in 2014 for Best Traditional R&B Performance ("Please Come Home").
Since its release, the singer-songwriter has toured extensively and stretched his wings as an actor, playing American blues legend Arthur "Big Boy" Crudup in Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis, which received eight Academy Award nominations. Clark also served as the official Music Director for Jon Stewart's acceptance of the 23rd Annual Mark Twain Prize for American Humor in the Kennedy Center Concert Hall. In addition to programming the event, he delivered a powerful tribute on stage, which aired on PBS nationwide.
Now, as Clark prepares to hit the road once more in support of JPEG RAW, this new era continues for the acclaimed performer—one with ever-expanding horizons, and music that needs to be heard live and in person.
Tour Dates
Bold indicates newly announced dates
*With Eric Clapton
^With St. Vincent
2024
Sep 26 — Rio De Janeiro, Brazil — Farmasi Arena*
Sep 28 — São Paulo, Brazil — Vibra São Paulo*
Sep 29 — São Paulo, Brazil — Allianz Parque*
Oct 15 — London, UK — O2 Forum Kentish Town
Oct 16 — Manchester, UK — New Century Hall
Oct 17 — Bristol, UK — SWX
Oct 19 — Birmingham, UK — O2 Institute Birmingham
Oct 21 — Utrecht, Netherlands — TivoliVredenburg
Oct 23 — Luxembourg, Luxembourg — Den Atelier
Oct 24 — Basel, Switzerland — Baloise Session^
2025
Feb 19 — Reno, NV — Grand Sierra Resort and Casino
Feb 20 — Las Vegas, NV — Brooklyn Bowl Las Vegas
Feb 24 — El Paso, TX — Abraham Chavez Theatre
Feb 28 — San Antonio, TX — Aztec Theatre
Mar 1 — Houston, TX — 713 Music Hall
Mar 4 — Atlanta, GA — The Eastern
Mar 7 — Nashville, TN — Ryman Auditorium
Mar 9 — Knoxville, TN — Tennessee Theatre
Mar 10 — Charlotte, NC — Ovens Auditorium
Mar 11 — North Charleston, SC — North Charleston Performing Arts Center
Mar 13 — Tampa, FL — Seminole Hard Rock Tampa Event Center
Mar 14 — Orlando, FL — Hard Rock Live Orlando
Mar 15 — Hollywood, FL — Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood
Revv Amplification's limited-edition G-Series V2 pedals offer three fresh flavors of boutique Canadian tone, with V2 circuit revisions.
Celebrating 10 years of Revv & 5 years since the release of the G2, Revv is debuting V2 circuit revisions of the G2, G3, & G4, implementing new designs for more tone in 3 little pedals, in a limited edition colorway.
The Revv Amplification 5th Anniversary G-Series V2 Lineup features:
- 3 Fresh Flavors of Boutique Canadian Tone - G-Series pedals are sonic recreations of 3 of Revv’s boutique amp channels used by Nashville session stars & metal touring artists alike.
- The Standard, Redefined - V2 circuit revisions are based on the Generator 120 MK3 Rev. B & incorporate new design elements for the most tube-like response & tone ever.
- Limited Edition - Exclusive new colorway featuring a black enclosure w/ custom graphics, embossed Revv badge, & color-coded knobs.
- Find Your Sound - The G2 is a powerful & versatile overdrive capable of everything from touch-sensitive boost to organic vintage stack tones, taken from Revv’s Green Channel.
- High Gain Clarity - The G3 utilizes Revv’s legendary Purple Channel, a tight & responsive high gain tone perfect for drop tuning & cutting through any mix.
- Fat Solo Tones - The G4 is based on Revv’s thick & saturated Red Channel, the ideal sound for chewy crunch, modern rock wall of sound, & liquid sustaining solos.
- Made in Canada - 100% analog circuit w/ top jacks, true bypass, & 2 year warranty.
Revv’s G-Series pedals have a street price of $229 & can be ordered immediately through many fine dealers worldwide.
For more information, please visit revvamplification.com.
Revv G3 Purple Channel Preamp/Overdrive/Distortion Pedal - Anniversary Edition
G3 Purple Ch Preamp/Hi-Gain Pedal - AnniversaryThe Texan rocker tells us how the Lonestar State shaped his guitar sounds and how he managed to hit it big in Music City.
Huge shocker incoming: Zach Broyles made a Tube Screamer. The Mythos Envy Pro Overdrive is Zach’s take on the green apple of his eye, with some special tweaks including increased output, more drive sounds, and a low-end boost option. Does this mean he can clear out his collection of TS-9s? Of course not.
This time on Dipped in Tone, Rhett and Zach welcome Tyler Bryant, the Texas-bred and Nashville-based rocker who has made waves with his band the Shakedown, who Rhett credits as one of his favorite groups. Bryant, it turns out, is a TS-head himself, having learned to love the pedal thanks to its being found everywhere in Texas guitar circles.Bryant shares how he scraped together a band after dropping out of high school and moving to Nashville, including the rigors of 15-hour drives for 30-minute sets in a trusty Ford Expedition. He’s lived the dream (or nightmare, depending on the day) and has the wisdom to show it.
Throughout the chat, the gang covers modeling amps and why modern rock bands still need amps on stage; the ins and outs of recording-gear rabbit holes and getting great sounds; and the differences between American and European audiences. Tune in to hear it all.
Get 10% off your order at stewmac.com/dippedintone
Oasis Live '25 world tour announces North American dates with Cage The Elephant as special guest. Oasis commented, “America. Oasis is coming. You have one last chance to prove that you loved us all along.”
The North American leg, produced by Live Nation and SJM, will see Oasis play stadiums in Toronto, Chicago, East Rutherford, Los Angeles and Mexico City next summer with Cage The Elephant as the special guest across all dates.
The news comes 16 years since their last performance in North America. Oasis commented,
“America.
Oasis is coming.
You have one last chance to prove that you loved us all along.”
The previously announced dates on the Oasis Live ‘25 tour sold out immediately, with over 10 million fans from 158 countries queuing to buy tickets. Days after their return, the band claimed their 8th UK No. 1 album with the 30th anniversary of their electrifying debut album Definitely Maybe, while at the same time occupying two other spots in the top 5 UK albums chart.
Oasis remain a huge draw in the streaming era, with over 32 million monthly listeners on Spotify alone – an increase of almost 50% since the announcement of their return – and nearly 12.5 billion streams to date across platforms.
Registration for the presale is currently open at oasisinet.com until Tuesday, October 1st at 8 am EST. General ticket sale will begin Friday, October 4th at 12pm local time and will be available from Ticketmaster.
Plans are underway for Oasis Live ’25 to go to other continents outside of Europe and North America later next year.
JULY 2025
4th - Cardiff, UK - Principality Stadium (SOLD OUT)
5th - Cardiff, UK - Principality Stadium (SOLD OUT)
11th - Manchester, UK - Heaton Park (SOLD OUT)
12th - Manchester, UK - Heaton Park (SOLD OUT)
16th - Manchester, UK - Heaton Park (SOLD OUT)
19th - Manchester, UK - Heaton Park (SOLD OUT)
20th - Manchester, UK - Heaton Park (SOLD OUT)
25th - London, UK - Wembley Stadium (SOLD OUT)
26th - London, UK - Wembley Stadium (SOLD OUT)
30th - London, UK - Wembley Stadium (SOLD OUT)
AUGUST 2025
2nd - London, UK - Wembley Stadium (SOLD OUT)
3rd - London, UK - Wembley Stadium (SOLD OUT)
8th - Edinburgh, UK - Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium (SOLD OUT)
9th - Edinburgh, UK - Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium (SOLD OUT)
12th - Edinburgh, UK - Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium (SOLD OUT)
16th - Dublin, IE - Croke Park (SOLD OUT)
17th - Dublin, IE - Croke Park (SOLD OUT)
24th - Toronto, ON - Rogers Stadium (JUST ADDED)
28th - Chicago, IL - Soldier Field (JUST ADDED)
31st - East Rutherford, NJ - MetLife Stadium (JUST ADDED)
SEPTEMBER 2025
6th - Los Angeles, CA - Rose Bowl Stadium (JUST ADDED)
12th - Mexico City, MX - Estadio GNP Seguros (JUST ADDED)
27th - London, UK - Wembley Stadium (SOLD OUT)
28th - London, UK - Wembley Stadium (SOLD OUT)