ALBUM REVIEW: Amongst Liars – Amongst Liars

There’s a lot we could say about modern life. Not all of it would be flattering. Let’s be honest, we could fill this entire page with the things we are quite rightly displeased with. Channelling the abundance of displeasure into something more constructive, AMONGST LIARS release their much-anticipated eponymous record. Though the Eastbourne band was formed in 2020, it would be a disservice to label this record as a “pandemic album”. AMONGST LIARS cover a multitude of sins across their 11 tracks which could be applied to any point in time. The issues the quartet deal with have just become more prominent during the pandemic.

“This silence breeds violence” Ian George proclaims in opening Cut It. The band shoot right out the gate with their statement of intent. We’re dragged in by the aforementioned vocal hook before blasting into the anthemic chorus which becomes a staple for this hard rock outfit. An opening track should set the tone for a record, which Cut It does. This shapes up to be a close and confrontational record housing the militance of early SHINEDOWN. With that being said, Cut It is merely a small snapshot into a much bigger album.

A reflection of modern life must show the subject in its truest form. Warts and all. Life in Britain is pocked despite entering a season finale of The Government. Leo Burdett chimes in the sound of Money with a massive riff which instantly piques our attention. Many may expect a PINK FLOYD cover and leave with something better. An attack on those who prosper “while welfare lines grow once more” amidst the cost of living crisis, Money is a pure-bred protest song. The fullness behind George’s “we won’t take this anymore” stirs rebellion, while the short melody after serves as the bolstering rally cry.

Money may push the door ajar but Black Days kicks it off the hinges. Blasts of chords mark the protesters gathering en masse as AMONGST LIARS pull no punches in addressing their intended target: the Tory government. George calls them to “come around to watch us die” against a backdrop of minimalist instrumentals. With an energy we can only compare to RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE, there is nothing mealy mouthed to AMONGST LIARS and their approach. Ferocity breeds against a government which seemingly takes pleasure within its populace’s suffering, resulting in a rambunctious scream of “start the fire” before Black Days descends into carnage.

This is far from a political album. As we mentioned at the top of the review, this is a reflection on modern life and the effects it has on people. Reign carries a darkness akin to the grunge movement. The beauty of a song full of melancholia is it’s open to interpretation. Though moving through the cycle of “drink, forget, and drown the sorrows”, it’s hard to deny this is the story of a soul beaten down by its circumstances. The verses have a soft bounce courtesy of Ross Towner’s bass which pushes Burdett’s guitar to swell into what should be a bigger chorus movement. That may not come but sometimes a slower burn draws more than an explosive number. The album’s “ballad” Drown speaks to the “dark side of the soul”. This may not be explicitly about mental health but the slower, more melody-centric track heavily implies we need to take stock of our own well-being in times of great turmoil.

AMONGST LIARS create good slower songs, but their strengths lie in the anthemic choruses and the aggressive approach. Burn The Vision is an example of this but also of how being “in your face” doesn’t need to come at the expense of melody. Bass led verses “call to the land of the militant” and open up to an ear-worm worthy chorus, something which gets repeated with Tick The Box. Though Tick The Box comes with something the previous song doesn’t: the album’s first guitar solo. The choice to include this toward the end of the record is an interesting one. Though AMONGST LIARS aren’t the type for solos as demonstrated in the shortness of it all. This is a band in every sense of the word; a unit which works better together and supports each individual element without pushing one or the other to the forefront.

AMONGST LIARS’ debut is an incredibly solid effort. This is a band who went into the process already knowing what their message is and how it should sound. That sense of identity is refreshing as there have been many bands who have thrown things at the wall hoping it would stick. While it’s worth mentioning there are some small sticking points in terms of the instrumental in Without Grace being slightly too long, there is very little to critique. For those who believe musicians should stay out of politics or social issues, AMONGST LIARS aren’t going to be for you. Casting that opinion aside will allow for people to experience an album which may criminally slip under many radars.

Rating: 8/10

Amongst Liars is set for release on July 8th via Earache Records.

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