ALBUM REVIEW: House of Cards – The Amity Affliction
After what has been a turbulent few years, THE AMITY AFFLICTION are back and this time with a new lease of life spurring them on. House Of Cards marks their first album in three years, this time without Ahren Stringer but with the addition of Johnathan Reeves. And what they have released is an absolute monster of a record that leaves the past behind and ushers in a new era with all the bells and whistles attached to boot. House Of Cards is a record that leaves no stone unturned, leaves no prisoners and demands repeated listens.
The moody and atmospheric intro, Vida Nueva is foreboding and lays down the ground on what is to come before we are launched into the gargantuan album opener, Kickboxer which sees the Australian metalcore outfit sounding the heaviest they’ve ever sounded. It blows off the dust of their history with “I can’t live like this!” being a key component of the song as the unwavering double bass pedals pummel your ear drums along with some nasty sounding guitar riffs, it’s a hell of an opener to the new era and is a welcome one. The titular track, House Of Cards continues the momentum and introduces more a symphonic nature to the album which works as a great contradiction to what came before as they combine both harsh and clean vocals of new member Reeves alongside Joel Birch. You know it’s a special listen when the first two tracks are already major highlights of a new record whilst also balancing a fine line of being a lead single that would appeal to a more casual fan. Heaven Sent returns us to a more punishing sound as momentum barrels along at 100mph with no signs of slowing down, you’re almost moshing with yourself and two stepping in your kitchen as you wash up.
The album continues with Bleed, which features a delightful beat which will surely have the masses jumping up and down when performed live as it incorporates a cool electric sound to it as it works subtly under the glorious bombardment of metalcore. Break These Chains brings in a false narrative that teases us with a slow song, but reader, if you think this is going to happen, you are mistaken. Tinkling sounds alongside clean vocals of Reeves are prevalent before Birch joins in the fray with the maelstrom of sound that expertly combines the two styles. Some respite comes with a small interlude with Beso De La Muerte that allows a breather before we are sent full steam ahead into the latter part of the album with the more melodic tune of Swan Dive which does offer something a little different whilst retaining the true ethos of the band’s sound. Perhaps the heaviest track on the record, Speaking In Tongues sounds like another comment on the drama that has unfolded with the band over the last couple of years but manages to do it in a mature way rather than sounding like a diss track with Reeves screaming “hypocrite, I’m better off without you here” which feels like a cathartic release for the band and will bare the same effect amongst audiences.
As the album begins its journey towards the end, you have to commend the band for creating a concise album that never feels like it is outstaying its welcome. There isn’t a song that feels like it shouldn’t have made the cut and you have a difficult job picking a favourite. Afterlife is a good example of this, a track that is filled with desperation lyrically and sees the rest of the band at the top of their game musically. The punishing of House Of Cards nature remains on penultimate track, Reap What You Sow, acting as another of the heavier tracks on the record as it’s mosh pit inducing verses leaves a destructing path and gives us a nice clean chorus that feels like a major release in the anger of swirling nature of the track. We see the record end with Eternal War, which shows the band aren’t going out on a quiet note. They throw everything they have at the wall and incredibly, it all sticks. It’s like every track has been building up to this and we can keep saying, “it’s the heaviest track” but you keep coming across gems like this one and surprises you each time as you can’t think it could possibly get heavier, but in the wise words of football manager Mick McCarthy, “it can!” before it fades out and leaves you like you’ve been battered and bruised, yet yearning for more.
This album shows why THE AMITY AFFLICTION are able to shake off the shadow of the past and embrace what is new without it sounding contrived. They sound like a brand new band and for a casual listener, you’d be stunned to see they’re on their ninth album. But what an album it is, and will surely be featuring on many AOTY lists come the end of 2026. As soon as it’s done, you’re instantly ready for a repeat listen, turn it up to 11 and bask in its wonderful nature.
Rating: 9/10
House Of Cards is out now via Pure Noise Records.
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