Ohio-based emo/post-hardcore band A Tiger Made of Lightning have made a dramatic mark on the scene with their self-titled LP. The full length release showcases the forward momentum that the five piece has been building since their debut EP It’s Chaos, Be Kind in 2021.

The album showcases the band’s unique talent for being able to balance heavier hard-hitting moments with more straightforward choruses and melodies to create a dynamic listening experience. “Don’t Let The Bastards Break You Down” is a headbanger of an opening track, with a catchy opening hook and intense drum fills that do well to set the tone for what’s to come on the rest of the album. 

The next few songs, including the first single off the album “Grungetooth”,  are reminiscent of Three Days Grace and early Beartooth, using a great balance of clean layered vocals with the more guttural parts of the tracks. “Grungetooth” is an incredibly mosh-worthy song - precise hits from all the instruments come together to make a really crisp-sounding track that’s difficult not to headbang along to. 

“No Feeling Is Final” is the midway interlude of the album, and serves to act as a tonal shift into more melodic tracks to follow. Gentle guitars, a slow beat, and dampened vocal build up into the next song with a simple, but effective drum fill. “I’m Not Even Supposed To Be Here Today” lends itself into being more of an anthem, and does well to showcase that the band doesn’t need to go “heavy” tonally to showcase musicianship.

The next two songs are the remaining singles. “The Time Spent” picks up with slightly heavier vocals and an upbeat, pop punk feel; while “Take Ivermectin and Repent for Your Sins” brings the vibe back to the more hardcore sound that’s notable through the album, and can only be described as what a circle pit would sound like in songform.

The ending track circles back to the “lighter” songs of the track list - a swayful anthem is the perfect ending for what can only be described as one of the breakout releases of 2023.

All in all, ATMoL’s self-titled LP is a worthwhile listening experience. The band will sometimes not allow for significant riff changes to signify a difference between a verse/bridge, but a lot of times, the drums will change up the rhythmic pattern as a signifier, which is a unique (but still good) stylistic choice. 

All of the songs flow well together, but there’s still three distinct songs that sound different than the rest of the album, and the track listing may have flowed just a little more cohesively if those tracks had been back to back. However, this doesn’t deter from what is a very solid and well thought out album.

A Tiger Made of Lightning isn’t afraid to do what they want musically, regardless of if they check the boxes of post-hardcore/emo or not, and their self-titled LP proves this. The production and mixing is nothing short of excellent and truly proves that the band is sure to become a household name in the next few years. 

9/10