Lethargy formed in 2000,and after nearly ten years of silence, a
new album emerges. Why now you might ask?  A band that
offered much promise was signed to Powerage Records (Established by Classic Rock Magazine in 2010.) Following UK tours and festival appearances, and two albums that appeared in Classic Rock magazine’s Top 50 Albums of the year, Lethargy took an unannounced hiatus. By this time the band had been around for 12 years and the harsh realities of the music industry and the demise of Powerage Records had set in, leading the band to a crossroad. Prior to this hiatus, the band entered Mwnci Studios and The Boneyard Studios in West Wales with producer Will Maya (The Answer.) Until now the master tapes have remained in a box on a studio shelf. As the band is still lifelong friends they decided all the blood sweat and tears put into the album deserved to finally be heard. So here we are at the tail end of 2019 with the release of ‘After All This Has Gone’.

The album kicks off with the really riff-heavy and aggressive ‘Amphetamine’ now, straight away I thought had these boyos been from LA or Seattle then I’m confident that they would be clutching platinum records and gold discs. The sound is polished but it’s got grit and some dirt under the fingernails as well. As far as openers go this is impressive.

One of the things that shine through is whilst the record is heavy as fuck there is plenty of melodies and the songs are varied and boring they aren’t.  They obviously worked hard on the harmonies within the band and the final result has paid off. The next few tracks pay testimony to this theory with ‘Redefine’ sounding like something Ozzy would have pushed his Mrs off a malibu cliff to have had in his repertoire several years ago when he was recording new music.

Having more than one able vocalist in the band is a plus you’ve got that variety as ‘It Ends Abruptly’ rides in on a strong Stone Temple Pilots groove with those gang vocals shining through. ‘Strike The Sky’ has more than a tip of the hat to Faith No More with some soaring vocals and a riff that’s heavier than a fuckin’ anvil.  By the middle of the album ‘Dusk Is A Time For The Eyes’ and a slower more purposeful, measured number that lets the listener take stock. Another strong point is the songs are in the main about the four-minute mark which keeps them focussed and stops the temptation for the band to noodle off on a tangent which can often be the downfall for a lot of bands in this field of Rock.

‘Electric Sin’ is built on a riff (oh right you don’t say) and sounds like a dozen guitars are playing a symphony of riffola as it slows down to a grind but if this were sped up would be classic NYHC such is the fine lines. ‘No Horizen’ would have Wildhearts fans wetting their collective undergarments if this were on one of their records.

Now I did compliment the boys on their restraint with regards to the song lengths but to put a full stop they go and prove me wrong with an epic six-minute ‘Low Tide’ that meanders, ebbs and flows but to be fair didn’t feel almost six minutes and it did add another layer to the bombastic Riff Fest that a lot of this album is about.  If you’re after guitars and strong vocals with a post-grunge meets Heavy Rock then this might well be your album.  If you like any of the bands and styles I’ve mentioned then you will love this album ‘After All This Has Gone’ should see the band reignite a flickering flame into a blazing inferno.  Lethargy are back and they’ve come out swinging and I’m still puzzled why these have sat for so long unreleased thank God that’s not the case anymore.

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Author: Dom Daley