It seemingly took The Amity Affliction years to get their music together, releasing a demo in 2003 and a self-titled EP in 2004, but from the moment they released their High Hopes EP in 2007, the touring rampage began. In no time, The Amity Affliction was a household name amongst the hardcore community of Australia. Their mixture of metallic riffage, rock swagger and sing/scream vocal attacks made its mark on all who got in their way.
But it’s not just their music that people have taken notice of – Amity (as they are affectionately known) have an attitude and aura about their music and actions that has helped propel them even faster to the forefront of the scene. Fans come to their shows expecting flat out fun and excitement – the members always committing to making the party after the show as intense as the performance itself. The sing-along chants don’t end when the band gets off stage, and fans don’t leave after they play. With members involved in putting on punk rock clubs, music magazines, graffiti magazines, graphic design companies and online blogs that are well known throughout the country, Amity and it’s members are well ingrained into the culture and ethic of Australian hardcore culture.
‘Severed Ties’ was recorded in July and August of 2008, a grueling cross-country marathon of a record, recorded in Adelaide, Melbourne and Brisbane to get the best results. With guest vocals from JJ Peters (Deez Nuts, I Killed the Prom Queen), Michael Crafter (I Killed the Prom Queen, Carpathian, Confession), Matthew Wright (The Getaway Plan) and Helmet (The Daylight Curse), and production with Adelaide’s Darren Thompson, the 11 track full length was released in October 2008.
Severed Ties debuted at #26 on the Australian Charts and solidified The Amity Affliction as one of the most popular "heavy" bands in Australia. Triple J's national radio show "Short Fast Loud" had Severed Ties as #2 on their best albums of 2008, and popular punk site "KillYourStereo.com" listed it as #1.
In mid 2010 the band released their sophmore record 'Youngbloods'. The album debuted at #6 on the ARIA charts and has since gained significant recognition with the album constantly being voted #1 for 2010 by the public and recognized magazines alike, beating out Parkway Drive's 'Deep Blue' on many occasions. The album saw Amity's popularity sky rocket as the band has since done a sold-out national tour, tour the UK,US and Europe as well as playing the Soundwave Festival. The band is set to go on their largest tour to date with the Destroy Music Tour during May.
In October, The Amity Affliction set out on a new Australian tour with support from Asking Alexandria and Skyway! the "Fuck the Reaper" tour sold out in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne. starting 2012 off with a bang, The Amity Affliction toured the 2012 Big Day Out, with fellow label mates and good friends The Getaway Plan, before touring America alongside Asking Alexandria, Trivium and may others on the "Still Reckless Tour"
On 8 February 2012 it was announced that The Amity Affliction had been signed to Roadrunner Records for their next album and future. On 7 May 2012, the band headed over to Orlando, Florida to start recording their third album with producer Michael Baskette. On 7 June 2012 it was announced the band's 3rd album would be titled Chasing Ghosts and was set to be released on 7 September 2012 in Australia, 17 September for the UK, and 18 September for the US.
It was revealed in a news article and magazine cover posted on 13/14 August that guitarist Imran Siddiqi would no longer be a part of the band. Furthermore, Siddiqi then did not appear in the video clip for the single "Chasing Ghosts" released on 15 August. A fill in guitarist played their album tour and U.S tour in late 2012.
After the release of Chasing Ghosts, the band had an Australian nationwide tour in September–October promoting their new album with supporting acts The Ghost Inside, Architects and Buried In Verona. Amity appeared on Soundwave in 2013 in February–March and also Warped Tour Australia at the end of the year.
It was announced by Joel Birch on 24 March 2013 that Dan Brown was the new guitarist, although he did not appear on the "Open Letter" music video.
In 2013 The Amity Affliction was part of Warped Tour in the United States with Chad Hasty (Glass Cloud) on drums and percussion due to Ryan Burt severely damaging his cornea during a set in Portland, Oregon. Later in the tour vocalist Joel Birch was also hospitalized due to unspecified illness, forcing the band to cancel their set in Pittsburgh. The band's next show in Cleveland was played due to the help of Sam Carter (Architects), Jason Aalon Butler (Letlive.) and Chris Roetter (Like Moths To Flames) sharing the stage as replacement vocals for Joel. All shows after this were played with Joel back on vocals after his recovery.
Late in 2013 the band went on to play the "Brothers In Arms" tour across Europe and Australia with support acts Landscapes and In Hearts Wake for the European portion and Chelsea Grin, Stick To Your Guns and In Hearts Wake for the Australian segment. In late 2013, the band released a demo of the song "Cave In". The single was speculated to be featured on the upcoming album. However, this was proved false when the band announced the track list for their upcoming fourth studio album. The first single from the bands forthcoming album titled "Pittsburgh" was released on 14 April. The second single "Don't Lean On Me" was released on 15 May. The album itself, titled Let the Ocean Take Me, was released on 6 June in Australia, 9 June in the UK, and 10 June in the U.S. it debuted at No. 1 on the Australian ARIA albums chart, becoming the band's second consecutive No. 1.
On 11 October, lead guitarist Troy Brady announced that he had decided to leave the band, making Ahren Stringer the only original member left in the band.
On 18 May 2015, The Amity Affliction released a trailer for their upcoming documentary film titled Seems Like Forever on YouTube. The video description contains links to pre-order the film, released on 10 July 2015 as a stand-alone DVD or a deluxe two-disc edition CD version of Let the Ocean Take Me, including two unreleased tracks, "Skeletons" (featured in the trailer) and "Farewell".
On 18 May 2016, The Amity Affliction posted a video to their Facebook page announcing their fifth studio album, This Could Be Heartbreak. It was also announced that the album would be released on 12 August and the band also released the music video for the first single, "I Bring the Weather with Me". The song also features clean vocals from Joel Birch. . On 10 July the band released their second single for the album, the title track "This Could Be Heartbreak" along with a music video. On 9 August, the band released a lyric video for the song "All Fucked Up" on YouTube. The band was also featured on the Fearless compilation Punk Goes Pop Vol. 7, covering The Weeknd's hit song "Can't Feel My Face". A music video for the cover was released on 22 June 2017. The Amity Affliction officially announced that Ryan Burt departed from the band due to mental health concerns on February 5, 2018.
On 20 June 2018, The Amity Affliction released the first single, "Ivy (Doomsday)", from their upcoming sixth studio album, Misery. The band announced that the album will be released on 24 August through Roadrunner Records. The band released an official video along with the release of "Ivy (Doomsday)". The band released the song "Feels Like I'm Dying" as a second part to the "Ivy (Doomsday)" video. The official track listing was eventually revealed on the band's website. It is their 4th album in a row to hit #1 on the Aria Albums Chart.
Two years later the band returned with Everyone Loves You... Once You Leave Them, their first studio LP with new drummer Joe Longobardi.
Discography:
Early Demos (2004) (EP)
The Amity Affliction (2005) (EP)
High Hopes (2007) (EP)
Severed Ties (2008)
Youngbloods (2010)
Glory Days (2010) (Compilation Album)
Chasing Ghosts (2012)
Let The Ocean Take Me (2014)
This Could Be Heartbreak (2016)
Misery (2018)
Everyone Loves You... Once You Leave Them (2020)
Somewhere Beyond The Blue (2021) (EP)
Not Without My Ghosts (2023)
Members:
Joel Birch - Unclean Vocals (2004-present)
Ahren Stringer - Clean Vocals/Bass (2003-present)
Dan Brown - Rhythm, later lead guitar (2013-present)
Joe Longobardi - Drums (2018-present)
Troy Brady - Lead Guitar (2003-2009, 2011-2014)
Clint Owen Ellis - Lead Guitar (2009-2011)
Trad Nathan - Keyboards (2006-2011)
Ryan Burt - Drums (2008-2018)
Troels Thomasen - Drums (2005-2008)
Chasing Ghosts
The Amity Affliction Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(When they know what I did was so fucking wrong)
Put the steel to my wrist, lost the breath in my chest,
(Just to forget all the wrongs I had left)
I took the exit, left my friends in the gutter,
(Left my life right behind me, left myself, left it all)
Left myself, left it all, not a falter, not a stutter
Not a note, and now
Are you at all haunted by memories past?
Are you ready to make this one breath your last?
Is your chest so heavy you're ready to leave,
Or are you just hoping that someone will grieve?
And now we roll on
I'm gone now, I don't remember much,
I just know that
I would have been better off if I had stayed, spoken to a friend,
(Let my heart keep on beating and not given it all up)
For the grave, for the grave
There's no one on the other side, there's nothing more than what I had.
(There's no ghost left to haunt you so you know I'm still here)
Just the end of my life, nothing left here at all.
(There's no memories here, just the regrets of the dead)
Please don't follow my footsteps cherish all you have left.
Are you at all haunted by memories past?
Are you ready to make this one breath your last?
Is your chest so heavy you're ready to leave?
Or are you just hoping that someone will grieve?
There's no one there on the other side,
There's no one there on the other side
There's nothing more than what I had.
There's no ghost left to haunt you
There's no, there's no memories here
Just the regrets of the dead
Please don't follow in my footsteps
Cherish all you have left.
There's no memories here (memories here)
Just the regrets of the dead (regrets of the dead)
Please don't follow in my footsteps (my footsteps)
Cherish all you have left.
Are you at all haunted by memories past?
Are you ready to make this one breath your last?
Is your chest so heavy you're ready to leave?
Or are you just hoping that someone will grieve?
Are you at all haunted by memories past?
Are you ready to make this one breath your last?
Is your chest so heavy you're ready to leave?
Or are you just hoping that someone will grieve?
The Amity Affliction's song "Chasing Ghosts" explores the theme of mental health and suicide. The chorus of the song poses a series of questions to the listener about their own mental state, asking if they are haunted by memories and ready to end their life. The verses present a narrative of someone who has already taken their own life and left behind regrets, hoping that those who hear the song will not make the same mistake. The lyrics describe the pain and despair that the person felt, as well as the sense of isolation and loneliness that can come with mental illness.
The line "Will they remember my name when I'm gone" expresses the desire for recognition and significance that can drive a person to take extreme actions. However, the next line acknowledges that the person knows what they did was wrong, indicating that this desire has caused harm to themselves and others. The image of putting steel to their wrist emphasizes the physical pain that the person is willing to endure in order to escape their emotional pain. The phrase "lost the breath in my chest" speaks to the moment of death itself, when the person's body is no longer able to sustain life. The repetition of "left" in the second verse emphasizes the idea of leaving behind everything and everyone, even themselves.
The second half of the song shifts from the first person narrative to the second person, placing the listener in the position of someone who is still alive and struggling with their own mental health. The repeated questions in the chorus suggest that the band is urging the listener to seek help and not give up hope. The final lines, "Please don't follow in my footsteps / Cherish all you have left," offer a message of hope and resilience, urging the listener to hold onto what they have and not give in to despair.
Line by Line Meaning
Will they remember my name when I'm gone,
Am I leaving a legacy or a stain on my name?
(When they know what I did was so fucking wrong)
I'm aware of the repercussions of my actions and the damage I've caused.
Put the steel to my wrist, lost the breath in my chest,
Suicide became an option in order to escape the guilt and pain I was feeling.
(Just to forget all the wrongs I had left)
My hope was to find peace and forget the mistakes that haunted me.
I took the exit, left my friends in the gutter,
I left everyone behind, including myself, without any concern for their well-being.
(Left my life right behind me, left myself, left it all)
I abandoned my life, my identity, and everything that was once meaningful to me.
Left myself, left it all, not a falter, not a stutter
I left without hesitation or second-guessing, with the intent of never returning.
Not a note, and now
There's no trace of me or my existence.
Are you at all haunted by memories past?
Do you carry the burden of your past mistakes and experiences?
Are you ready to make this one breath your last?
Are you considering suicide as a way to escape the pain you're feeling?
Is your chest so heavy you're ready to leave,
Is the weight of your past too much to bear?
Or are you just hoping that someone will grieve?
Do you feel like no one cares about you until you're gone?
And now we roll on
Despite my absence, life goes on and time continues to move forward.
I'm gone now, I don't remember much,
In death, my memories and experiences no longer matter.
I just know that
All I have left is regret and the knowledge that I should have done things differently.
I would have been better off if I had stayed, spoken to a friend,
I realize now that if I had talked to someone instead of isolating myself, things might have turned out differently.
(Let my heart keep on beating and not given it all up)
I should have kept going and let my heart keep beating instead of giving up.
For the grave, for the grave
My actions led to my own demise and burial.
There's no one on the other side, there's nothing more than what I had.
There's no afterlife, no reward, and nothing to look forward to.
(There's no ghost left to haunt you so you know I'm still here)
I may no longer be alive, but my actions and their consequences still haunt those who knew me.
Just the end of my life, nothing left here at all.
Death is the end, and there is nothing left of me or my life.
Please don't follow my footsteps cherish all you have left.
I hope that others can learn from my mistakes and appreciate what they have in their lives.
There's no memories here (memories here)
In death, there's no chance to create new memories.
Just the regrets of the dead (regrets of the dead)
All that's left are regrets and the awareness of what could have been.
Please don't follow in my footsteps (my footsteps)
I hope that others do not make the same mistakes I did.
Cherish all you have left.
Appreciate and value what you have, because it can be taken away in an instant.
Lyrics © WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Ahren Charles Stringer, Imran Siddiqi, Joel Fletcher C Birch, Michael Elvis Baskette, Ryan Burt, Troy Jon-Colin Brady
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@skorpio156
I turned 45 today...and this band has been amongst my faves for years. Best band to listen to on one's birthday while celebrating
@ivanmerkushev704
Stay there,man. Everything will be ok.
@annaboonana97
"I wrote Chasing Ghosts as a narrative based wholly around someone that has committed suicide and has passed onto the other side. It's a story that I hope people will see for what it is; an example in song of why you should turn to someone close and talk instead of taking that last fatal step towards death prematurely. I just want to reiterate to people that once you're gone, that's it. There's no ghosts. There's no heaven, no hell, just finality and the wreckage left behind in the wake of their decision." - Joel Birch
@BrutalBlud
Well you dont know what this song has done... Thank you for EVERYTHING.
@johnartis2710
oo ps this song saved my life.
@heatherjo989
Means Alot,being in that exact situation. Tnx for existing ..so I can bradduh 👊🤘😏
@arthurwilliams8925
Actually when you leave this life you are freed from all mortal limitations. Its actually the beginning of something great and wonderful!!
@darkshadowfiredsf4788
Arthur Williams scientifically the energy in your body would leave and dissipate into the surrounding area as your body decomposes, but their isn’t any evidence that consciousness or anything else remains from your life in that energy, or that that energy stays together by some mystical force. To each their own beliefs but so far nothing proves that anything “magical” happens when we die.
@The123Metronome
Everyone talking about how great the vocals and the riffs are... no one's talking about how incredible these lyrics are.
@devononair
I have to disagree with that - I think the lyrics are too simplistic, as if they were written in five minutes.