Review: Luke Petty
Returning with a vengeance and a new singer, The Amity Affliction have delivered a fresh body of work that strikes with uncompromising intensity. This twelve-track collection masterfully balances sheer aggression with raw vulnerability, offering a visceral experience engineered for both the mosh pit and quiet moments of personal reflection. The production leans into a crushing weight that fans of their heavier roots will gravitate toward.
The record ignites with “Vida Nueva,” an eerie instrumental prelude that swells with atmospheric tension. This slow burn builds toward a breaking point before crashing into “Kickboxer,” which opens with a haunting female vocal hook: “All I wanted was a kiss.” The silence is shattered by Joel Birch, whose guttural roars pierce through the mix as he snarls “Kiss of death” with pure vitriol. With Ahren Stringer’s signature melodic soaring notably absent in these opening moments, the spotlight remains fixed on Birch.
The craving for more is immediately met by “House of Cards,” the title track, which functions as a raw confessional for Birch. He dives headfirst into the trauma of his past, specifically the pain of being raised by an alcoholic mother, punctuated by the devastating line: “Brother, your heart was torn out by our mother.” This track serves as the grand entrance for Reeves, whose melodic elegance provides vital comfort to fans still reeling from Stringer’s exit. The fluid exchange between the two frontmen makes it clear that Reeves is far more than a replacement; he is a seamless fit for the band’s evolving identity.
The momentum carries into “Heaven Sent,” ushered in by magnetic guitar riffs that set the stage for Reeves to once again steal the show. His vocal performance during the infectious chorus—a highlight many fans first experienced during their successful regional run—is nothing short of spectacular.
Picking up right where its predecessor left off, “Bleed” maintains a high-velocity momentum fueled by raw emotion and surgical instrumental precision. The track is a powerhouse that effectively muzzles any critics, particularly during a breakdown where Joe Longobardi’s vibrant double-kick work adds a layer of depth that feels like the missing piece of the puzzle.
The energy shifts with “Break These Chains,” which leads with a softer vocal delivery from Reeves to convey an empowering message of resilience. While the interplay between Joel Birch’s gritty repetitions of “I’ll break ’em” and Reeves’ soaring chorus is technically sound, the track occasionally drifts into predictable territory that fails to hold full attention. However, the band pulls the listener back in with a revitalising outro breakdown—a melodic and rhythmic hook so engaging it’s impossible not to hum along.
The record hits a slight speed bump with “Beso De La Muerte,” a brief, synth-heavy experiment that feels largely out of place due to its lack of traditional instrumentation. However, the momentum recovers instantly with “Swan Dive.” Here, the synergy between Dan Brown, Joe Longobardi, and Reeves creates a cohesive, polished sound. The track’s structure—balancing a heavy breakdown between soaring choruses—is exactly the unapologetic, modern evolution I’ve been waiting to hear from the band.
The emotional weight increases with “Speaking In Tongues,” where gut-wrenching lyrics meet a barrage of rapid-fire double kicks. The track is a masterclass in catharsis, forcing movement even as the subject matter turns grim. This intensity only ramps up during “Afterlife,” a high-tempo assault featuring some of Longobardi’s most aggressive drumming to date. The standout moment is an eerie, piano-led bridge that explodes into a limb-swinging finale, nearly turning my workspace into a one-man mosh pit.
Toward the end, “Reap What You Sow” and “Eternal War” introduce synthesizers into the fray, adding texture to a series of gut-punching, down-tuned riffs. The latter is easily among the heaviest material the band has ever produced—a chaotic, jaw-dropping display of power that demands to be played on repeat.
HOUSE OF CARDS, the new album from THE AMITY AFFLICTION is released April 24.
Get it here: https://artistfirst.com.au/collections/the-amity-affliction
