Review by Maverick on February 4, 2024.

Let me start by saying that this band was one of first heavy bands I've listened to, and if it wasn't for this album. I don't think I would've been able to appreciate anything heavy, even so, my tastes have grown. However I think that this band deserves a healthy applause for what they have offered us in this release. Yes, this is not for metal puritans, this album is for those who are new to the concept of heavy music. I believe this album contains some good stuff.

The first thing that I like about this album are the guitars, it has a very thick sound. These riffs are all very intricate, we have typical metalcore riffs as well as some melodic death riffs here and there. The badass utilization of the guitar sound in "Rose of Sharyn" is really awesome, and I think the song itself may well be the best song recorded in the album.

The second thing I liked was the drumming, it draws some comparison with As I Lay Dying and Trivium's style of drumming. Sounding like the drummer was really enjoying himself when he played this, it's not that irritating "I are br00tal kid" drumming you find in bands like Memphis May Fire, there is a sense of metallic decency here, the hardcore routes were easy to detect, but very respectable.

The third thing that stood out to me was Howard Jones' vocals. Jones has very good vox, he switches between metalcore growls and clean singing which sounds very much like a symphonic metal vocalist. No emo bullshit, very masculine and elegant. "Breathe Life" was the best vocal performance of Howard on the album. Very good.

All in all, a very respectable metalcore release. I think this album is very underrated, and it's disgusting. A release I recommend for metallic newcomers, get this.

Rating: 7.5 out of 10

Review by Alex on June 26, 2019.

Hands down better than anything Tanza has made as a vocalist under the Demona and Outline banners; Aphrodite’s Lust and War is the definitive ‘dirty speed metal’ many aspire to make and have been wearing as a tag. Everything about Lust and War screams must have! Adhering guitar solos are there, the speed is there, and that raw arousing voice of Constanza Diaz is present. Lust and War is fundamentally speed metal with (nods to punk metal) at a particularly high level and comes as no surprise given the fact Jo Steel of Ice War took up the role of composing the music. Also contributing to Lust and War is Yan Turbo, who plays in a punk rock band by the name of Colorsfade. Hence the many references to punk metal can be heard throughout the release. This blend of personalities definitely played a role in the molding of Aphrodite’s sound. Lust and War signifies a new era in all of the members musical journey; the collective performances speak of a harmony achieved when blending these varying attributes. 

No songs show hints of weakness making Lust and War one of the best speed metal records of 2019 standing within the golden aura of Chevalier and the likes of. It's almost unbelievable to hear that same aphroditic grown on a release that justifies Tanza’s voice; her presence makes Lust and War a special record. The instrumental work being mirrored on the songs have great coordinated structures that are memorable and possess tuneful catchiness. Igniting lust with the powerful opener ‘Hades in the Night’ and progressing to one of the best tracks on the record ‘Ares, God of War’, Aphrodite set themselves at a high standard, never slipping from the mountain of pleasures they stand on. Shouldering some formulaic elements of Outline, Ice War and Colorsfade, a wicked blend of gasoline is pumped into the tank of Aphrodite in-so establishing a sound the band can be identified by easily. 

From the artwork to the music, Lust and War is full-packaged kick to the gut speed metal. With the guitars, vocals and drumming doing a fair share of weight lifting, a team effort feeling is created. All primary elements of speed metal are presented in a glorious fashion somewhat poking at the Greek era of divinity and grandeur. Further progressing to songs like the hard rock/heavy metal rebellion of ‘Penthaselia’, to the lightning strike of ‘Gorgon Medusa’ (which would make Lust and War incomplete without a song referencing the simultaneously beautiful and horrifying seed of Phorcys and Ceto), you hear the instrumentation make best of the time given storming with a chariot of solos and licks. The music as a whole displays ease and control, with the last 4 songs on Lust on War being the best offerings. The speeding kick of ‘Orpheus Charms the Gods of Death’, to the championed sounds of ‘The Odyssey’ and ‘Gladiators’, bring the record to a close on a very high note, thus encouraging the listener to partake in a repeated listening session. And upon giving the material another spin, it gets better as the tunes congeal in almost romantic fashion with the proposed theme on Lust and War. Don’t allow this speed metal affair to pass by untouched, what’s gifted here will be on the tongues of the scene for years to come.

Rating: 8.5 out of 10