Photo/The Amity Affliction
[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he journey of The Amity Affliction since their formation in 2003 is both a refreshingly remarkable and deeply personal one. Rooted in themes of anxiety, clinical depression and suicide, the band has returned with their follow up to 2012’s ‘Chasing Ghosts’, titled ‘Let The Ocean Take Me’, which drops today (June 10) in the states.
While the former of the two sought to offer a message to fans that would inspire seeking help in the wake of depression and thoughts of suicide, the band’s newest effort is an earnest attempt to exorcise their own demons.
Let The Ocean Take Me starts out with Amity’s new single, ‘Pittsburgh’. Beautifully varied in both musical range and emotional grit, the track takes you down a dark tunnel of pain and self destruction through the crushing vocals of Joel Birch, only to triumphantly grasp onto an ounce of hope that soon grows into a full tidal wave. ‘Pittsburgh’ is both unforgivingly heavy and insanely anthemic; but more than anything, it sets the tone at near perfection for an album hellbent on defeating the shadows which encompass its creation.
For a band identified in the metalcore genre, I would be remiss not to laud some praise upon this album for its admirable balance of conventional scream vocal/riff dynamics, and classical sensibilities and appreciation for hooks. With songs like ‘Lost & Fading’ and ‘Don’t Lean On Me’ there’s an almost breathtaking adjustment in tempo between frantic metalcore breakdowns and post-hardcore/alternative chorus techniques. Much like the feeling of being swiftly punched in the gut and then carelessly bouncing rhythmically in the pit, Let The Ocean Take Me plays to both your sense aggression and empathy.
If the message hasn’t gotten through yet, this is a very personal album. But it’s not personal in the way that a lot of records wear that title. At its core, there’s an artfully vivid characterization of the low points we all face as people in modern society and the choice we are given to deal with those struggles. At no point is that meaning driven home better than with the song ‘Never Alone’. The unifying moment of Let The Ocean Take Me, it takes the band’s struggles and fears and makes the fight one that we all share in. Heavier, more energized and emphatic in its effect, the track closes out with a ‘timid cry for help’ in the form of a voicemail message.
The second half of this record moves forward in epic fashion. Fueled by the momentum of earlier tracks, ‘Death’s Hand’ comes out swinging and delivers one of the most memorable moments of the record,
“You’re the ones that kept me going. I owe you this much. You gave me the strength to say, ‘Hey death, get f*cked!'”
From ‘Pittsburgh’ to those lyrics, there’s an insanely powerful transition that demonstrates what makes Let The Ocean Take Me such a true gem. It’s an honest, human battle that you can’t help but root along and relate with at every stop.
With Let The Ocean Take Me, The Amity Affliction excel on all fronts and ultimately create something special. Musically, it’s an album that shows growth and an appreciation for the tenants that have made them a rare bird in the scene today. However, the sum of this record’s parts can’t truly be admired without applauding the honest storytelling that develops throughout it. Drifting through the waves of generic offerings from their peers, the ocean will surely favor The Amity Affliction for this heartfelt attempt.
