Melody, aggression and technique are the hallmarks of Brisbane’s The Amity Affliction. Late 2003 saw Garth, Troy, Ahren and Lachlan play their first emotion-charged shows. Their intense performances fast won them respect in the local hardcore scene. The boys’ independent debut came soon after, selling well at shows and getting regular airplay on Triple J’s Short Fast Loud as well as local rock station ZZZ.
However, it was when vocalist Joel Birch (ex-Crimson Hellkite ) joined the line-up that The Amity Affliction came into its own. Joel’s passionate, frantic screams left Ahren free to concentrate on more complex melodic vocal lines, and the band finally found their sound. A five-way split with Miles Away, Away From Now, Perish The Thought and Hi End Audio came next, stamping out an interstate fanbase for the band, whose Brisbane shows were attracting ever-growing crowds. A support slot with US punks Rufio garnered more new fans for The Amity Affliction as they prepared for their first journey to the southern states.
The Amity Affliction have played with Brisbane hardcore heavyweights Against as well popular Australian acts Mourning Tide, From These Wounds, Wish For Wings, In Ashes We Lie, A Secret Death, Slain Of Myself, Knife Fight Opus, Perish The Thought (NSW), Through Closed Eyes (SA), Just Say Go, Live Today, Something With Numbers (NSW), Kisschasy (VIC) and Say Nothing.
The band will return to the studio early in 2005 to record their eagerly-awaited debut full length before hitting the highways in support of the release. It is rare to see a band so young, so dedicated, so talented and so willing to sound different to their contemporaries.
