In an oversaturated sea of Metalcore bands, The Amity Affliction have consistently separated themselves from the pack. Out of Australia, the band has always stood out for one reason or another. Perhaps it is their highly personal themes, or maybe it is their non-conventional approach to constructing their songs. Whatever it may be, their music always seems to stick in your claw.
Plugging ahead now for nearly two decades, perhaps their more triumphant moment came with 2014’s Let the Ocean Take Me; which featured such big hits as “Pittsburgh” and “Don’t Lean on Me.” An album that, if anything, awakened a larger audience as to what this band has to offer, they have continued to produce compelling material from 2016’s This Could Be Heartbreak, all the way through to 2020’s Everyone Loves You… Once You Leave Them. Each album offering something slightly different, now in 2023, they return with one of their most ambitious efforts to date.
Entitled Not Without My Ghosts, and released on May 12th through Pure Noise, the album marks their eighth overall, and first completely self-produced. Something important to think about, the overall feel of the record is ominous, yet full of dynamics. Something challenging to achieve with music of this type, due to the overall loudness of some of the vocals and guitars, The Amity Affliction manages to keep the subtle elements very present in each of the songs. An aspect that you may overlook with an initial listen – because there are many chaotic, amplified moments – after you absorb these songs, you will realize the intricacy of the production. That in mind, do yourself a favor and invest in a physical copy; because streaming services compress the heck out of everything; even more than they already are, thus losing a lot in transition.
These factors in mind, the album is a ten-song journey into sorrow, self-doubt, frustration, regret, and hopelessness. Now, before you think – wow, that sounds rather bleak – consider the fact that these depressive concepts have been explored throughout The Amity Affliction’s career. Something that might be a bit heavy at times, the context is given color with the eerie and excellently executed keyboards, all coupled with Ahren Stringer clean and Joel Birch harsh vocals.
Some standout moments amidst all of this emotion include “Show Me Your God,” more accessible “Fade Away,” and earth shattering “I See Dead People” (featuring Louie Knuxx). These are accompanied by other dazzling hybrids that include “Big Sleep,” “God Voice,” and the ever-surprising closing title-track (featuring Phem).
In all, Not Without My Ghosts is an intense look into human anguish. Yet another soul bleeding effort by the band, Cryptic Rock gives this artfully crafted album 4.5 out of 5 stars.
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