EDITORS’ NOTES

The Australian metalcore specialists find an absorbing balance between light and shade. Dealing with Joel Birch’s demons and addictions, this may be The Amity Affliction’s darkest album but it’s also their poppiest. Aggressive riffs dominate but the airborne choruses of the title track and “Bring the Weather With Me” provide a melodic salve to the sting of Birch’s brutal introspection. “All F****d Up” even majors on acoustic intimacy to leave his anguished growl as a haunting background.