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)
Death's Hand
The Amity Affliction Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Can't keep my heart from beating
Can't keep my throat from screaming
There has to be another way for me to keep on living
I held death's head this evening
Closed mind and still I'm breathing
Promise I won't leave here
'Cause I've got more life left to live (Got some promises to keep)
To all the hearts that carried me (Up from the ocean deep)
I've had to do some searching to understand our reasons
For every selfish feeling (I held death's hand this evening)
Now my looks are failing
And my heart is fading
My life is taking me
So far away I'm dreaming
For every selfish reason
I've got the part of training
I poured my heart out
Just so you'll believe me
I held death's head this evening
Closed mind and still I'm breathing
Promise I won't leave here
Don't let me die I'm fucking screaming
'Cause I've got more life left to live (Got some promises to keep)
To all the hearts that carry me (Up from the ocean deep)
I've had to do some searching to understand our reasons
For every selfish feeling (I held death's hand this evening)
You're the ones that kept me going
I owe you this much
You gave me the strength to say
Hey Death, get fucked!
You're the ones that kept me going
I owe you this much
You gave me the strength to say
Hey Death, get fucked!
Now my looks are failing
And my heart is fading
My life is taking me
So far away I'm dreaming
Now my looks are failing
And my heart is fading
My life is taking me
The Amity Affliction's song Death's Hand is a deeply personal and emotional reflection on the fear of death and the desire to keep living. The lyrics are raw and powerful, expressing the struggle to hold onto life despite the overwhelming presence of death. The opening lines, "I held death's head this evening, can't keep my heart from beating, can't keep my throat from screaming" capture the intensity and terror of being close to death. The singer is desperate to find a way to keep living, to hold on to the promise of life and the people who have supported him through his struggles.
Throughout the song, the singer acknowledges his own selfishness and the ways in which he has failed to fully appreciate the people in his life who have helped him. He recognizes that he has "had to do some searching to understand our reasons for every selfish feeling," and that he has taken his life and the support of others for granted. The song is ultimately a tribute to the people who have kept the singer going, who have given him strength and hope when all seemed lost. The final lines, "You're the ones that kept me going, I owe you this much, you gave me the strength to say, Hey Death, get fucked!" are a powerful testament to the resilience and courage of the human spirit.
Line by Line Meaning
I held death's head this evening
I had a brush with death tonight
Can't keep my heart from beating
I'm still alive, my heart won't stop
Can't keep my throat from screaming
I'm at the end of my rope and need help
There has to be another way for me to keep on living
I need help finding a path to stay alive
Closed mind and still I'm breathing
I'm mentally closed off, but physically alive
Promise I won't leave here
I won't take my own life
Don't let me die I'm fucking screaming
I'm begging for help to stay alive
'Cause I've got more life left to live (Got some promises to keep)
I have things I still want to do and people to take care of
To all the hearts that carried me (Up from the ocean deep)
Thank you to all who have helped me in my darkest times
I've had to do some searching to understand our reasons
I needed to figure out why I want to live, and what I'm living for
For every selfish feeling (I held death's hand this evening)
I've struggled with selfish thoughts about taking my own life
My life is taking me so far away I'm dreaming
I feel like I'm drifting away from life, and it feels like a dream
For every selfish reason / I've got the part of training / I poured my heart out / Just so you'll believe me
I've been struggling with my own selfish desires, but I'm trying to improve and be honest with myself and others
You're the ones that kept me going / I owe you this much / You gave me the strength to say / Hey Death, get fucked!
I'm grateful to those who have helped me stay alive and have the courage to face death
Lyrics © WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@zedward
"Hey death, GET FUCKED!"
Chills every time
@yunghopeless4017
+Zoe Bob да
@tjwalton7652
+Zoe Bob same bro
@Night-rage
+Zoe Bob Really ? It mostly makes me cringe
@riverkingWR5
+Michel van der Molen I'm with you.
@Night-rage
***** Can't blame ya
@thequasi3276
My old roommate never liked heavier music until I started inching it into his life song by song. Over the years I could see his depression grab more of his soul day by day and I realized music was his output. When I discovered this band and specifically this song and blared it through our speakers he immediately took hold to the words and it became his all time favorite. Another year or so went by and I had to move away for work. Without that positive influence I guess the depression took hold again and he ended up committing suicide a month after I left. He wrote me the night before he took his life and thanked me for showing him Amity Affliction and how they helped him through the hardest of times. I want to thank you for bringing a smile to my friends soul while he was with us and I know everytime I listen to this song a small piece of him is still with me jamming out in the room and smiling because life is just that much more bearable at the moment. Thank you
@mrcherryz2586
Fuuuuuuuck!!!!
@JoseGutierrez-ws2yt
I lost my best friend to suicide too man I feel you, and yeah amity is just awesome keep fighting man
@xmaryxhavokx
Tyler Breihan bittersweet... I lost my BFF too.. it hurts but the music we both loved makes me happy and cry at times.. sorry for your loss.