Not Without My Ghosts

Not Without My Ghosts is the eighth studio album by Australian post-hardcore band The Amity Affliction. The album was released on 12 May 2023 through Pure Noise Records and was self-produced by the band.^[5][6][7]

Not Without My Ghosts
Studio album by The Amity Affliction
Released	12 May 2023 (2023-05-12)
Genre	Metalcore post-hardcore
Length	38:05
Label	Pure Noise
Producer	The Amity Affliction
The Amity Affliction chronology
Everyone Loves You... Once You Leave Them (2020) Not Without My Ghosts (2023)
Singles from Not Without My Ghosts
"Show Me Your God" Released: 29 November 2022[1] "I See Dead People" Released: 13 February 2023[2] "It's Hell Down Here" Released: 22 March 2023[3] "Not Without My Ghosts" Released: 20 April 2023[4]

At the 2023 ARIA Music Awards, the album was nominated for Best Hard Rock or Heavy Metal Album.^[8] The album was nominated for Best Record at the Rolling Stone Australia Awards.^[9]

Background and promotion

On 29 November 2022, the Amity Affliction released unveiled the first single "Show Me Your God" and its corresponding music video.^[10] On 23 December, the band have chosen and confirmed the album title for the new record.^[11]

On 13 February 2023, the band published the second single "I See Dead People" featuring Louie Knuxx along with an accompanying music video.^[12] On 22 March, the band premiered the third single "It's Hell Down Here" along with a music video. At the same time, they officially announced the album itself and release date while also revealed the album cover and the track list.^[13] On 20 April, one month before the album release, the band released the fourth single and title track "Not Without My Ghosts" featuring Phem.^[14]

Critical reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Blabbermouth.net	8/10[15]
Distorted Sound	6/10[16]
New Noise	[17]
Wall of Sound	9.5/10[18]

The album received generally positive reviews from critics. Anne Erickson from Blabbermouth.net gave the album 8 out of 10 and said: "With metalcore screams, brutal breakdowns and a few glimmers of clean singing, Not Without My Ghosts is an apt next step for The Amity Affliction. Bands that form in high school have a lot of growth to do, and The Amity Affliction seem to be following that instinct and evolving, without abandoning the sound for which they're known. It will be interesting to hear what's ahead for this ever-blossoming band."^[15] Katie Bird of Distorted Sound scored the album 6 out of 10 and said: "Whilst Not Without My Ghosts does have some different styles of music for a few songs, the rest of the album treads the same waters that The Amity Affliction have explored many times before. That is not to say that it's a bad one, because it most certainly isn't. However, it seems that the band have taken the harsh criticism to heart and fallen back into old sounds. If you like their original sound, then this album will be for you. However, if you are looking for a fresh take from these Aussie veterans, you'll have to look elsewhere."^[16]

New Noise gave the album 4.5 out of 5 and stated: "From the writing to the musicianship, Not Without My Ghosts is an excellent album fitting of Amity Affliction's legendary canon. The band presses on as a needed voice in the scene."^[17] Wall of Sound gave the album a score 9.5/10 and saying: "These Australian melodic metalcore heavyweights have delivered an album that will most definitely leave the haters and naysayers taking back every bad word they ever said about this band. We spoke with Joel Birch about the album and their intentions to go back to a heavier sound, make sure to read that too in the lead up to Friday's release. Not only do The Amity Affliction still have what it takes, but this album will stand up strong amongst the best in their back catalogue for years to come."^[18]

Track listing

Not Without My Ghosts track listing

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Show Me Your God"	3:37
2.	"It's Hell Down Here"	4:00
3.	"Fade Away"	3:45
4.	"Death and the Setting Sun" (featuring Andrew Neufeld of Comeback Kid)	4:07
5.	"I See Dead People" (featuring Louie Knuxx)	3:36
6.	"When It Rains It Pours" (featuring Landon Tewers)	4:01
7.	"The Big Sleep"	3:59
8.	"Close to Me"	3:56
9.	"God Voice"	3:34
10.	"Not Without My Ghosts" (featuring Phem)	3:30
Total length:		38:05

Personnel

The Amity Affliction

• Joel Birch – lead vocals
• Ahren Stringer – co-lead vocals, bass
• Dan Brown – guitars, backing vocals
• Joe Longobardi – drums, percussion

Additional musicians

• Andrew Neufeld of Comeback Kid – guest vocals on track 4
• Louie Knuxx – posthumous guest vocals on track 5
• Landon Tewers of The Plot in You – guest vocals on track 6
• Phem – guest vocals on track 10

Additional personnel

• The Amity Affliction – production
• Henrik Udd – mixing, mastering
• Randy Slaugh – programming^[19]

Charts

Chart performance for Not Without My Ghosts

Chart (2023)	Peak position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[20]	2
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[21]	56
Scottish Albums (OCC)[22]	81
UK Independent Albums (OCC)[23]	19
UK Rock & Metal Albums (OCC)[24]	6

References

1. "The Amity Affliction Debut Music Video For New Single "Show Me Your God"". ThePRP. 29 November 2022. Retrieved 9 May 2023.
2. "The Amity Affliction Premiere "I See Dead People", Late Rapper Louie Knuxx Guests". ThePRP. 13 February 2023. Retrieved 14 February 2023.
3. "The Amity Affliction Set May Release For New Album "Not Without My Ghosts", Debut "It's Hell Down Here" Video". ThePRP. 22 March 2023. Retrieved 23 March 2023.
4. "The Amity Affliction Debut "Not Without My Ghosts" Video". ThePRP. 20 April 2023. Retrieved 22 April 2023.
5. "THE AMITY AFFLICTION Announces New Album 'Not Without My Ghosts', Shares 'It's Hell Down Here' Video". Blabbermouth.net. 22 March 2023. Retrieved 9 May 2023.
6. "The Amity Affliction Unveil 8th LP Not Without My Ghosts + Serve New Track 'It's Hell Down Here'". Wall of Sound. 23 March 2023. Retrieved 9 May 2023.
7. "The Amity Affliction announce new album 'Not Without My Ghosts'". Distorted Sound. 26 March 2023. Retrieved 9 May 2023.
8. "Nominees Announced for 2023 ARIA Awards". Music Feeds. 21 September 2023. Retrieved 24 September 2023.
9. "Troye Sivan, Kylie Minogue & Dom Dolla Among 2024 Shure Rolling Stone Australia Awards Nominees". Rolling Stone Australia. 4 March 2024. Retrieved 11 March 2024.
10. Rogers, Jack (30 November 2022). "The Amity Affliction Release New Track 'Show Me Your God'". Rock Sound. Retrieved 2 December 2022.
11. "The Amity Affliction Confirm New Album Title". ThePRP. 23 December 2022. Retrieved 9 May 2023.
12. "The Amity Affliction share new single 'I See Dead People' featuring the late Louie Knuxx". NME. 14 February 2023. Retrieved 9 May 2023.
13. "The Amity Affliction drop It's Hell Down Here, announce new album". Kerrang!. 24 March 2023. Retrieved 9 May 2023.
14. "The Amity Affliction Reveal Title Track Of New Album 'Not Without My Ghosts'". Rock Sound. 21 April 2023. Retrieved 9 May 2023.
15. Erickson, Anne (12 May 2023). "THE AMITY AFFLICTION Not Without My Ghosts". Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved 12 May 2023.
16. Bird, Katie (12 May 2023). "ALBUM REVIEW: Not Without My Ghosts – The Amity Affliction". Distorted Sound Mag. Retrieved 12 May 2023.
17. Piers, Ryan (12 May 2023). "Album Review: The Amity Affliction – Not Without My Ghosts". New Noise. Retrieved 13 May 2023.
18. Rice, Adam (9 May 2023). "The Amity Affliction – Not Without My Ghosts (Album Review)". Wall of Sound. Retrieved 12 May 2023.
19. "The Amity Affliction Not Without My Ghosts". Discogs. 12 May 2023. Retrieved 20 July 2023.
20. "ARIA Top 50 Albums Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. 22 May 2023. Retrieved 19 May 2023.
21. "Offiziellecharts.de – The Amity Affliction – Not Without My Ghosts" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 19 May 2023.
22. "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
23. "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
24. "Official Rock & Metal Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 20 May 2023.