Born LionCelebrate The Lie

Celebrate The Lie is a collision point. It conjures Born Lion’s caustic hardcore and punk groundings while slamming them against a thick wall of rock production. But rather than making a grab towards a sweeping arena sound, they batter it aside for a claustrophobic feel. This is music made to be bounced across the four walls of a crowded venue.

MORE: The Hyst List – Our Top Valentine’s Couples

Slowly Sinking pummels the record into existence. The opener could easily play beside one of the more anthemic moments from DZ Deathrays’ recent work, yet Born Lion stand as a punchier and less delicate counterpoint. The nightmare vision of Evil K follows on with a bristling squall of defiance, adrenaline riffs, and sweat-stained paranoia.

The two openers thunder into a rapid succession of powerhouse rockers. Tracks like Patience For feel like they’re never too far from crashing full tilt into a Queens of the Stone Age style jammer. “The World’s got no patience for something they can’t destroy” vocalist John Bowker spits.

Here Born Lion wallow in anthemic hopelessness. Their world is dire and dystopic.

Old Days elevates the record to a brighter headspace with peppy punk rhythm and a shout-along chorus. But despite promising absolution, it’s lyrical content remains splattered with cold isolation and a lingering aggression. Along with Highs and Lows, Forces veers into a hookier refinement of the Wollongong natives’ signature sonics. It’s here that Celebrate The Lie begins to stick to the inside of your skull. Closing Waste pushes out with emotional resolve. The album’s closing movements unfurl over a slow and bottom-heavy groove.

For newcomers Born Lion’s second offers a blisteringly harder yet accessible alternative to rockier contemporaries. Familiar fans will fall into a welcoming axis of thrash ‘n’ grind. The group’s bitter edge hasn’t been dulled by the gloss of high-value production.

Here Born Lion wallow in anthemic hopelessness. Their world is dire and dystopic. Yet there’s a momentary redemption to be found in this brief and aggressive release. Whether it’s the curling of a fist, a belted shout or the violent flick of the head, Celebrate The Lie demands response. And we’re better for it.

STANDOUT TRACKS: Slowly Sinking, Evil K, Highs and Lows
STICK THIS NEXT TO: High Tension, DZ Deathrays, Captives