When any kind of metal band promotes their new material as “the heaviest music they’ve ever made”, it’s usually met with eye rolls from fans who have heard this very promise time and time again from their favorite groups who failed to deliver. Hearing this from The Amity Affliction, a group that has always stood on the lighter side of metalcore, I was one of the skeptical ones. Ever since the Australian quartet released their instant classic Let The Ocean Take Me in 2014, each album following has paled in comparison.
Until now.
The band wasn’t lying; this is in fact their heaviest material yet. It took a lot of trial and error through attempts to reinvent their sound (Misery, 2018), as well as efforts to reignite the sound that got them where they are (Everyone Loves You…Once You Leave Them, 2020) – but with their eighth album, Not Without My Ghosts (Pure Noise Records), Amity have finally struck gold.
This album is packed with everything Amity does best, but with the heaviness increased tenfold. The subtle piano cascades that open the record on ‘Show Me Your God’ are an immediate throwback to bangers like ‘Don’t Lean On Me’, yet the sudden drop into blast beats and spine-chilling screams indicate something darker on the horizon. They don’t waste time in bringing back their signature children’s choir strategy to make the first bridge of the album a memorable one. The choir also returns later in the record on ‘Close To Me’ and ‘God Voice’, reminding listeners this is still The Amity Affliction – just more metal.
The use of symphonic synths throughout the record brings a new element of surprise to the breakdowns that had been lacking in previous releases, turning a stale formula into a high-octane breath of fresh air. ‘It’s Hell Down Here’ immediately stands out with these effects adding a subtle yet compelling counterpoint to the main vocal melody.
‘Death And The Setting Sun’ is metalcore at its finest in every aspect, but with Amity’s new flair added to it. The slow-burning intro erupts into the rampaging verse with vocalist Joel Birch screaming his heart out, all while twinkling keys double the guitar riffs and chugs (somehow making them heavier). Clean vocalist and bassist Ahren Stringer utilizes his mid-range for the hooky chorus, providing an easily memorable forefront for the song’s haunting tone. In addition, Comeback Kid’s Andrew Neufeld sprinkles in his raspy belts and feral screams, keeping you on your toes with the track’s range of vocal styles.
‘I See Dead People’ is the band at their all-time heaviest, full throttle with blast beats and layered screams between both Birch and Stringer. Unlike most Amity songs, this is not followed by a melodic chorus and instead continues on until the posthumous feature of rapper Louie Knuxx. His simple addition of chanting “Dear god that don’t exist, fly me over oceans where my lover lives” is well executed in adding an eerie dynamic to the track without taking away from the raging brutality.
The album is tied up beautifully with the ballad title track featuring Los Angeles singer Phem, whose somber low-range tone pairs impeccably with Stringer’s mournful delivery. Birch’s distant screams capture an underlying feeling of helplessness in struggling to live with past trauma. The build-up to the big finish makes for a hard-hitting climax as Stringer recites a list of his ghosts, which suddenly drops into a tranquil instrumental before jumping into the ultimate final chorus.
Not Without My Ghosts is a pleasant surprise from The Amity Affliction after growing convinced that their best work was behind them. Time will only tell how well-remembered this one will be; but based on quality and replay value, this could be giving Let The Ocean Take Me a run for its money as their magnum opus.
Buy the album here:
https://purenoise.merchnow.com/collections/the-amity-affliction
8 / 10
COLLEEN KANOWSKY