Australian metalcore band The Amity Affliction kick off the promo campaign for ‘Misery’ off right with the energetic single, “Ivy (Doomsday).”

“I could be your Doomsday / I could be your worst ever nightmare.” That’s called returning with a bang.  That’s exactly what Australian metalcore collective The Amity Affliction does on “Ivy (Doomsday),” the promo single from their sixth studio album, Misery.  “Ivy (Doomsday)” becomes even more interesting, with the accompanying music video that tackles physical violence and most notably, sexual abuse.  In the dual vocal lineup, Ahren Stringer handles the clean vocals, while Joel Birch delivers the unclean vocals.

Stringer handles both verses, the refrain (post-verse), as well as a small contribution on the bridge.  On the first verse, Stringer asserts his darkness – how he’ll “choke out the all the light.” On the second verse, he sings of love, yet being the “Doomsday” that he is, he tells his lover, “So down to hell we go together / I was your doomsday from the start.” Birch, uncleanly, ‘sings’ the aforementioned chorus, repeating multiple times on the bridge, “We can watch the world burn.” The music matches the dark, unsettling lyrics, keeping things enigmatic on the verses, while reaching a dynamic, fever pitch on the chorus.  Naturally, during the chorus, the drums pummel, while the guitars are jagged, chocked-full of angst.

Final Thoughts

All in all, The Amity Affliction come back strong on “Ivy (Doomsday).”  Both Ahren Stringer and Joel Birch give solid vocal performances that feel appropriate to this darker record.  The contrast between the two, as well as some brief overlap, ranks among the selling points.  The same could be said about the contrast of verse and chorus.  The bridge is predictable, at least as what to expect from a metalcore bridge, but, like the rest of the record, rock solid.  Great way to build up the anticipation for Misery.

 The Amity Affliction • Misery • Roadrunner • Release: 8.24.18

Photo Credit: Roadrunner