Let me start with a disclaimer. A couple of years back, when The Amity Affliction released "Everyone Loves You...", I had the audacity (!) to compare it to "Chasing Ghosts" when the actual touching points were very few. I attribute that to my excitement after "Misery" and in retrospect, I think that what I really meant was that it was my favorite album since "Chasing Ghosts". Upon revisiting ELYOYLT, I realize that while still dealing with inner turmoil, it was a rather conservative metalcore sound, that didn't go to extremes nor call for furious outbreaks and, though gripping, it lacked the vibrancy of "Chasing Ghosts". Why did I deem necessary to point these things out? Because not only is Amity back, they are presenting their most ferocious album to date and with good reason.
"Not Without My Ghosts" deals with violence, loss and grief, themes quite common in Amity's discography. The differentiation point with the previous material, however, is that in the period between ELYOYLT and NWMG, and with a raging pandemic, the band lost quite a few people in their friend groups. Processing someone's passing is never easy and that trauma can leave one's mental health in shambles. With this record, Amity attempts to create a relatable soundscape for all those fighting the same fight, and at the same time share their pain in order to find some sort of closure themselves. Instead of internalizing this pent-up anger, the Aussies use it as a vehicle of expression, directing their heartbreak against a "God that don't exist" for allowing injustices to happen, especially people leaving too soon. Don't underestimate the emotional toll the album carries; screaming at the void can be equally therapeutic as self-destruction-reflection for vocalist Joel Birch, and the listener can definitely feel overwhelmed when dragged into the mayhem.
I have reviewed albums of that nature in the past but this one hits differently. The 10 tracks on "Not Without My Ghosts" are some of the heaviest and most engaging the band has ever written. The album, while reminiscent of old Amity, alternates between a stern metalcore sound and post-hardcore creative liberties. There's no dull moment, no breather; Amity is hammering all kinds of emotions, immersing the listener into this grieving cycle. Whether expressed through the distorted, and at times eerie guitar tone, the various subtle symphonic/choral elements or the captivating keyboards that tie everything together, the entirety of the songwriting is exquisite. Joel Birch and Ahren Stringer do a phenomenal job as always on their respective vocal duties, balancing once again the screaming verses with the big, catchy clean choruses. Another thing that also sets NWMG apart from Amity's previous work, which we aren't really familiar with, are the guests, namely Andrew Neufeld (Comeback Kid), Landon Tewers (The Plot In You), pop singer Phem and the late rapper Louie Knuxx. The component that really stands out for me though is the drumwork; Joe Longobardi really goes to town, showcasing the range of his undeniable abilities and introducing not only the most brutal breakdowns the bad has ever seen, but actual blastbeats.
The tracks themselves present diversity in the way they approach intensity. Amity builds an ambience that feels almost menacing, amplifying the intrinsic dramatic elements of the songs, and leading even the slower, more evocative moments to climax into roaring outbreaks. This haunting feeling is also accentuated by two of the guest contributions. Andrew Neufeld is the one who adds the most interesting element in my opinion. "Death And The Setting Sun" is constructed in a way that Neufeld's distinctive vocals act as a catalyst, boosting the harshness of the established vocal duality. His screaming melody follows closely Stringer's pattern in the chorus but takes off in the moments leading up to the breakdown, where he dominates the noisemaking, also making this one of Neufeld's most morbid guest appearances to date. As exciting this feature might have been, however, it goes without saying that Louie Knuxx's takes the cake. The untimely death of the New Zealand rapper was detrimental for the band, therefore rendering the samples of him reciting "Dear God that don't exist/Fly me over oceans where my lover lives" hair-raising, all while Birch is haunted by depression and the ghosts that he can't let go of.
Overall, "Not Without My Ghosts" is the natural next step for The Amity Affliction. It takes their sound to new territories and simultaneously feels more Amity than ever. It is an ode to grief paying homage to the friends that left, celebrating the strength of those that didn't take the leap even if they reached the edge on numerous occasions, and conveying a powerful message and relief to anyone struggling. Amity delivered a heartbreaking record that tops everything they've created so far and which proves that destruction can also be a form of creation. I don't know if performing these songs for days in a row will act as an exorcism for the band, helping them shed the emotional weights of their ghost-imposed restraints, I do know however that Amity has crafted one of the finest releases of the year.
9/10
0 σχόλια :
Post a Comment