Words by Johnny, Images band media
Sylvie Studente : Vocals/Guitar, Tommy Mayo: Bass, Sam Sherwood: Drums
As I have said in other reviews, its always a joy to write up a band I’ve not heard before, and this is no exception, especially when the band have read other reviews and put their trust in lil’ ol me!
Lilith’s Army is a 3-piece outfit hailing from Northampton formed in 2004 when Sylvie was studying at Uni, there have a been a few line up changes over te years, with the current one in place since 2022. Previous albums released in 2006 a self-titled project and Drain Me in 2008. The UK music press has described them as being a combination of English post punk influences with heavy rock drumming with a grunge style guitar. After the release of 1st 2 albums, the band received numerous excellent reviews from around Europe and USA. Having played a number of festivals, including Glastonbury, they released a 3rd album Disturbed. After a prolonged break, they reformed with the current line up in 2022. This album Doll will be released on Criminal Records on 28th march this year, with an official launch party/gig at The Water Rats in London.
Without further ado, here we jolly well go
Eat my TV: A track close to my heart. The never-ending drivel we see and hear on the so-called music channels. Listening to the same old, same old sounds of a generation where mass produced manufactured guff infiltrates the music world. The endless love songs, the tedious same old tunes where they all seem to roll into one. More often than not, we hear songs that are basically the same as all the others with only a slightly different twist.
Cursed: What appears to be a personal record of low self-esteem, finally taking its toll, surrounded by the stresses of life, becoming trapped in your mind, unable to escape the inevitable break down of the human psyche. The final realisation that the bad shit in our self-esteem life has finally succeeded, leading to a welcome “self-destruction”.
Reach Out: Translatable in a number of ways, this can bee seen as a song of pleading, the inability to cope with that someone in your life. The one person who has taken over your whole being, the controlling ways of the one we thought we loved, only to find the narcissistic traits that they hold close, in order to be your puppet master. Oddly, I posted on social media about controlling and coercive behaviour, this song can be a wake-up call for many in those toxic situations. Take heed people.
Stoop: Kind of a follow on from “reach out”, where a person can go from abusive relationship to another, gradually learning the untruth that this is normal behaviour from their “loved” one. The sense of depreciation, lack of self-esteem, almost the need to be controlled, because to them, this is how things should be, finally becoming a “slave” to a false love.
Get Away: Moving away from intimate relationships, the feeling of low self-worth can and is often seen in so called friendship. Being used by that one person you have/had trust in, only for that to be thrown back in your face. Quite literally, the one been ill treated will have that age old human guilt trip, that it was all their fault. And they couldn’t further from the truth. Having these feelings is what separates us from the abusers, as we are human and those feelings of empathy can often be a way of deflecting blame from the bad person, as we always see good in people, irrespective(mostly) of what they have done.
Sick of It Finally, we see the penny drop, the incessant whinging and whining form that person, whoever it may be, dragging you down into their blackness and pessimistic ethos of life. How many times do we become embroiled in other’s petty life concerns, yet another sign of coercive behaviour to break the soul.
Got a Girl: The frailties of human relationships. Whether we lose someone to another or through passing, we look back at our lives together, reminiscing of the good and bad times. The times when we have shared, where we still have those feelings, and wondering if the other still “thinks of me”. Knowing all the time “I wish you well, I wish you happiness, but theres no point to regress, yeah, she thinks of me”.
One: The phrase “love at first sight” is well known to many, but is it always true. Perhaps in this case it could be true, sitting alone, and just knowing that she is the one. Life is never easy, especially with the one you call your own, but in the end, as long as that feeling feels real, then “cos she’s the one”.
Breathe: The undeniable knowledge that it is over, begging to be left in peace, to live and carry with your own life without the restraints of something that was never perhaps real. As time passes by, you appreciate that feeling of missing her and emptiness has eventually faded where it no longer has a hold on you. Until the conclusion has to be “leave me, let me breath, release me, let me breathe.
Drain Me: Again, we go back to the toxicity of the human species. The one we love Whether treating us in an abhorrent, not being able to understand why they do this. Love is supposed to ne unconditional, not a tool for cruelty and hatred. Ive never understood how a so called loved one can act in such an abusive and barbaric nature. It really doesn’t question the human condition at times. Some need to learn and see the signs before it become a problem and too late to retrieve.
Possessed: The possessive nature of a stalker, trying to understand what is going through their mind. The damage, resentment and dangerous actions of a person with obsessive personality. Those who have been through can only truly know how it can affect another, how a life can be ruined by being “fucking possessed”.
Helpless: The ultimate gift of finding true love, meeting that one person that can pull you out of the drowning pool. The one to lift your spirits, care for and love you without reason or condition. One of the most impactive lyrics on the album “you restored my faith in me, when I was so helpless”. Quite a sad line, outlining just how low a person can get in their life, yet showing that it can be done with the right person, until, ultimately, it is torn away from you.
Doll: And there it is, the moment the deceit, lies and betrayal rears its ugly face. Ripping away all that you found in “the one”. All the love, trust and friendship torn apart by a second of realisation. “I wither like the leaves, crushed under your cold feet, so hollowed and bruised, broken fucked up, confused.
Not often I get to listen to an album and feel the pain in its story. The author of the lyrics, has clearly been through a torturous time, and still has the strength put it all down on words and music. Lyrically heartbreaking album, musically proficient and cleverly intertwined to express the meaning of the songs. Lovely deep bass lines throughout. Guitar work akin to many different styles, including grunge rock, at times 70’s classic rock riffs. Reading other reviews some put this band in a certain genre, for me, it’s a fusion of many styles, which is always a bonus when reviewing. Which is a good thing.
Links and Info:
Management:
Pure Power Darkside Management
Email: ppdmanagement@outlook.com
Publisher: Maori Music Publishing UK Ltd
Label: Criminal Records
Direct Band Contact:
Email: HQ@lilithsarmy.com
Web: www.lilithsarmy.com
Liliths Army or via www.Lilithsarmy.com
@lilithsarmyuk