Metalcore, metalcore, metalcore...how relevant is this style of music today? Well, like any genre, as relevant as it wants to be. There is no denying however that this style is one of the most polarizing styles of Metal. For many years, they carried the torch high through turbulent times in the Metal genre, but today, almost seem like an afterthought. Fortunately, I still like the band and the Metalcore genre. Aussie's popular sons THE AMITY AFFLICTION have been riding this wave as one of the original pioneers of the genre since 2003, and this is the band's eighth studio album. The album has ten songs.

"Show Me Your God" is the first. Besides a melodic piano opener, the sound is very heavy and aggressive, with razor sharp harsh vocals. However, one thing that the band have always done quite well is the cleans, and this is no exception. "Hell Down Here" begins with more tender tones, seguing into a contentious sound but not without melody. Although some of the formula they use is stale, it still gets the job done, so why not? This is not the band's "Music from The Elder" album. "Fade Away" is another aggressive offering with wonderful moments of melody. This sharp contrast is what they band cut their teeth on, and if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

"Death and the Setting Sun" is just as heavy, but it also has a fantastic guitar melody. It seems that one of the things that the band wants to listener to remember is that they hit both ends of the spectrum head on. "I See Dead People" is about as deep and harsh of a song as they have ever composed. There is very little melody, and the drums roll at about the speed of light, while the harsh vocals are very angry. "The Big Sleep" has big, punchy moments of melody to go along with the aggression. Again, they stick with the same formula that fans have come to expect in the music. "Close to Me" has some very nice vocal harmonies in the beginning, but again, those roaring harsh vocals are about as angry as anything you have heard this year. This song is very nice.

"God Voice" has some very nice harmonies and melodies to go along with the aggressive sound. The title track closes the album, and it's a reminder of the wonderful melodies that the band uses in their repertoire. Overall, this wasn't a bad album per se, but I believe the band just played it too safe. Eight albums into an illustrious career, and you can't blame them for wanting to offer the fans what they are used to. I mentioned above that they are bit of an anomaly in the genre, because their clean vocals are so bright and so well done. How long they have managed to survive is a testament to the band for sure.