REVIEW: Eva Under Fire - Villainous

Detroit has produced some of the finest rock bands in history and EVA UNDER FIRE is one of the latest to proudly carry that flag. Hailing from that gritty, iconic rock landscape, the band is back to deliver “hard rock therapy” with their latest album Villainous when it releases 10th July. Fronted by lead vocalist and song writer Amanda Lyberg who is uniquely qualified to deliver on that promise, as a licensed therapist with a background in trauma and addiction. 

While Love, Drugs and Misery released in 2022 was their breakthrough record and a solid foundation, this new album takes things up another level, now to uncharted heights for the band in this new era. Villainous feels heavier, darker and more refined, with a confidence far greater than its predecessor. Powered by the thunderous percussion of drummer Dave Miller II, the band unleashes a triple guitar assault, lead guitarist Rob Lyberg, Chris Slapnik bringing the rhythm, Ed Gawlik on bass. All locking in with an industrial alt-rock sound of distorted riffs complete with an electronic edge.

First track Awakening hooks you into the album immediately and doesn’t let go from there, the chorus bursting into the anthemic battle cry “With air in my lungs, I scream to the sky!” When this track was released as a single, hype started to build around the band's new direction and the feeling that this was going to be something special. Leading into track two My Own Name the album keeps hold, dealing with the way people try to bring you down but Amanda Lyberg bites back with the visceral vocals and builds up on the lyric “I’m not dead yet!”

The vulnerability Lyberg shows in the lyrics of certain songs, captures her therapist expertise, which in turn creates a strong emotional connection with the listener who may have been through similar situations. Tracks like The Words You Say dealing with toxic relationships, gaslighting and the way words can be twisted in ways that can play with your mind, showcase this perfectly. The arc in the middle of this album takes you on an emotional journey of recovery. Don’t Say I’m Ok shows another side that feels unfiltered, visceral and raw in both the lyrics and gripping primal vocality Lyberg brings, making this a stand out on the album. Going then into Hello Hollow dealing with grief, offering a more delicate retrospective moment on the album of how to navigate that.

Title track Villainous features a massive guest appearance from Maria Brink of IN THIS MOMENT pushing the industrial rock that popularised the late 90s further with a modern sound. A fierce empowering anthem where Lyberg’s melodic vocal delivery and Brink’s theatrical edge brilliantly intertwine with one another to create a dual female powerhouse moment. Lyrically the track deals with the reality of sticking up for yourself after reaching your limit and finally fighting back. In turn the toxicity in people around you can paint you as the villain simply because they resent that sudden change.

Exploring the rest of Villainous and moving into the deeper cuts of the album, tracks like Dark Soul and Safe Word bring that grit from their hometown. Seamlessly mixed aggressive guitar tones, heavy bass blended with futuristic elements that fit well with the tone of the lyrics. Meanwhile on Gasoline drummer Miller II provides a relentless rhythmic beat that anchors the song’s explosive energy. The album closer A Violent End delivers some of the heaviest riffs on the record while balancing the assault with a catchy chorus and beautifully placed softer moments that creates an intriguing dynamic, the album still hooking you in until the very last note.

With an up and coming tour in the US with band FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH it will be fascinating to see which of these new songs become crowd favourites. Ultimately their new album Villainous proves EVA UNDER FIRE is ready to command the global rock stage with some live music therapy.

Score: 9/10

Villainous will be released 10th July 2026 via Better Noise Music.

Words: Amy Lynch

Photos: Travis Shinn