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)
Never Alone
The Amity Affliction Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We all yearn to be free
We fight and we're weak
We all come out and grieve
This goddamn life is our disease
But we can't always fucking win
We can always turn the tide
We fight together, not alone
No matter where our bodies roam
This place is now what we call home
Never alone, never apart
We found each other in the dark
Shed our tears and fight our fears
We are one, the lonely hearts
Never alone, never apart
We found each other in the dark
Shed our tears and fight our fears
We are one, the lonely hearts
Listen, always
We'll be drowning in our grave
And we can't stand for ourself
We have to stay afloat (We struggle to breathe)
With the word that we try to believe
When I lost my home and find my way home
We can always turn the tide
And we get lost and not be blind, never alone
We fight together, not alone
No matter where I might go (This place is not away from home)
We are never, ever alone
Never alone, never apart
We found each other in the dark
Shed our tears and fight our fears
We are one, the lonely hearts
Never alone, never apart
We found each other in the dark
Shed our tears and fight our fears
We are one, the lonely hearts
We are not lost here together
We are not lost anymore
We'll turn the tide, we'll calm the storm
We are ready for war
We are ready for war
We are ready for war
We are not lost here together
We are not lost anymore
Never alone, never apart
We found each other in the dark
Shed our tears and fight our fears
We are one, the lonely hearts
Never alone, never apart
We found each other in the dark
Shed our tears and fight our fears
We are one, the lonely hearts
((Message received on April 12th at 3:16 AM)
Hello, are you there, with me?
I'm just trying to get in touch man.
I've been so fucking, so fucking down lately.
Like, I don't know what's happening, I'm just so tired all of time.
Trying to sleep' I just, I just lay there quiet.
Can't speak 'cause everyone around me is passed out.
My fucking mind's raging.
Oh, hello?
I don't even know why I called.
I think it, I think it might be time for me to leave.
Call it quits, I'm sick of this.
It's the same fucking day, every day.
I think I breathe, I can't be sure though.
It's all the same now, drink, drink, drink again.
I'm sorry man, I think it, you don't want to heat this.
I'm a mess, I'm sorry man, I just don't know who to turn to.
No one really hears me, you know?
I speak, at least I think I speak, but no one hears me.
I'm stepping out.
Hello, hello?
I shouldn't have called.
(Message deleted))
The Amity Affliction's song "Never Alone" is a powerful anthem that speaks to feelings of isolation and the struggle for survival. The lyrics describe the human experience of fighting through difficulties, feeling weak and alone while trying to overcome them. The song is a message of hope, telling us we can always turn the tide, that we are one, and that we are never alone. The opening lines reflect the human condition of fighting and struggling to get back up after being knocked down. The song continues to emphasize the importance of standing together, coming out, and grieving together.
The next stanza seems to speak of the burden of life that we carry each day. The feeling that we are never truly immune to this "disease" of life, but we still can turn the tide, stand up, and sing. The fact that we can come together and fight together not alone is a powerful message of hope. The song speaks to the idea that we are never alone, no matter where we go, and that this place is what we call home. In the end, we are never lost together, and we can turn the tide and calm the storm, and we are always ready for war.
Line by Line Meaning
We struggle to our feet
Despite the difficulties we face, we keep getting up and pushing forward.
We all yearn to be free
We all crave a sense of freedom and liberation from the troubles that weigh us down.
We fight and we're weak
We try to put up a fight, but sometimes we feel like we're not strong enough.
We all come out and grieve
We all express our sadness and sorrow at the loss and disappointment we experience.
This goddamn life is our disease
Life can feel like a burden and a source of pain and suffering.
But we can't always fucking win
We can't always come out on top and overcome our challenges and obstacles.
We can always turn the tide
We can always try to change the situation and shift the balance in our favor.
We can all stand up and sing 'never alone'
We can all come together and support each other, knowing that we're not alone in our struggles.
We fight together, not alone
We share our struggles and support each other, knowing that we're stronger together than we are alone.
No matter where our bodies roam
We may be physically separated, but we're still connected and united in our experiences and emotions.
This place is now what we call home
We've found a sense of belonging and comfort in our shared experiences and struggles.
Never alone, never apart
We're always connected, even when we're not physically together.
We found each other in the dark
We've found each other in difficult times and helped each other through the darkness and uncertainty.
Shed our tears and fight our fears
We express our emotions and face our fears together, supporting each other every step of the way.
We are one, the lonely hearts
Despite feeling lonely or isolated at times, we share a common bond and connection that unites us.
With the word that we try to believe
We hold onto hope and faith in trying times, even when it's difficult to believe in a better future.
When I lost my home and find my way home
Even when we lose our way, we can find our way back to a sense of belonging and comfort.
And we get lost and not be blind, never alone
Even when we feel lost or uncertain, we're not alone in our experiences and emotions.
We are not lost here together
Despite feeling lost or uncertain, we're still connected and united in our shared struggles and experiences.
We'll turn the tide, we'll calm the storm
We'll work together to overcome our struggles and turn the situation in our favor.
We are ready for war
We're prepared to face our challenges head-on and fight for what we believe in.
Hello, are you there, with me?
A cry for help and a desire for connection and support.
I'm just trying to get in touch man.
A plea for connection and understanding.
I've been so fucking, so fucking down lately.
A description of the deep sadness and depression that the artist is feeling.
Trying to sleep' I just, I just lay there quiet.
A portrayal of the difficult and restless nature of the singer's sleep.
Can't speak 'cause everyone around me is passed out.
A sense of loneliness and isolation at not being able to communicate with those around them.
My fucking mind's raging.
The singer describes the sense of turmoil and chaos that they're feeling internally.
I think it, I think it might be time for me to leave.
A sense of hopelessness and despair, with the artist contemplating suicide.
Call it quits, I'm sick of this.
The desire to give up and end the struggle that the artist is experiencing.
It's the same fucking day, every day.
A sense of monotony and repetition, with no hope of things changing or improving.
I think I breathe, I can't be sure though.
A sense of disconnection and numbness to one's own feelings and experiences.
It's all the same now, drink, drink, drink again.
The artist turns to alcohol and drugs as a form of escape and relief from their struggles.
I'm sorry man, I think it, you don't want to heat this.
A sense of shame and embarrassment at sharing one's struggles with others.
I'm a mess, I'm sorry man, I just don't know who to turn to.
The artist feels lost and alone, unsure of where to turn for help and support.
No one really hears me, you know?
A sense of isolation and disconnection from others, feeling unheard and unseen.
I'm stepping out.
The artist is contemplating suicide and is taking steps to end their life.
Hello, hello?
An attempt to reach out for help and connection.
I shouldn't have called.
A sense of regret and shame at reaching out for help.
Message deleted
The sense of hopelessness and despair is so great that the singer erases their plea for help and leaves without finding the support they need.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: MIKE PAYNE, RICK WILSON, S. L. BROWN, STEPHEN LUKE BROWN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Daniel silva
Will, this one's for you
Lyrics
We struggle to our feet
We all yearn to be free
We fight and we're weak
We all come out and grieve
This goddamn life is our disease
But we can't always fucking win
We can always turn the tide
We can all stand up and sing 'never alone'
We fight together, not alone
No matter where our bodies roam
This place is now what we call home
Never alone, never apart
We found each other in the dark
Shed our tears and fight our fears
We are one, the lonely hearts
Never alone, never apart
We found each other in the dark
Shed our tears and fight our fears
We are one, the lonely hearts
Listen, always
We'll be drowning in our grave
And we can't stand for ourself
We have to stay afloat (We struggle to breathe)
With the word that we try to believe
When I lost my home and find my way home
We can always turn the tide
And we get lost and not be blind, never alone
We fight together, not alone
No matter where I might go (This place is not away from home)
We are never, ever alone
Never alone, never apart
We found each other in the dark
Shed our tears and fight our fears
We are one, the lonely hearts
Never alone, never apart
We found each other in the dark
Shed our tears and fight our fears
We are one, the lonely hearts
We are not lost here together
We are not lost anymore
We'll turn the tide, we'll calm the storm
We are ready for war
We are ready for war
We are ready for war
We are not lost here together
We are not lost anymore
Never alone, never apart
We found each other in the dark
Shed our tears and fight our fears
We are one, the lonely hearts
Never alone, never apart
We found each other in the dark
Shed our tears and fight our fears
We are one, the lonely hearts
Hello, are you there, with me?
I'm just trying to get in touch man.
I've been so fucking, so fucking down lately.
Like, I don't know what's happening, I'm just so tired all of time.
Trying to sleep' I just, I just lay there quiet.
Can't speak 'cause everyone around me is passed out.
My fucking mind's raging.
Oh, hello?
I don't even know why I called.
I think it, I think it might be time for me to leave.
Call it quits, I'm sick of this.
It's the same fucking day, every day.
I think I breathe, I can't be sure though.
It's all the same now, drink, drink, drink again.
I'm sorry man, I think it, you don't want to heat this.
I'm a mess, I'm sorry man, I just don't know who to turn to.
No one really hears me, you know?
I speak, at least I think I speak, but no one hears me.
I'm stepping out.
Hello, hello?
I shouldn't have called.
(Message deleted))
We miss you will.
TheRebell86
7 years later and im still hearing that voicemail on repeat from time to time. It hits so hard.
Angel Deadman
This song definitely needs a music video
Jose Rios
Agree 100%
Loris
+Angel Deadman To the top please with w/ more upvotes
Spencer
+
UnBroken Bond
Angel Deadman agree!
Matyas Selmek
Just like the Bondi St. Blues
Deity
the ending broke me.
havent cried in about 3 months. ive just been feeling numb
i heard this and i cried like ive never let a tear out of my eye.
one of the few good songs that exist anymore. so, so much respect.
ZnXii
gtfo
Deity
***** go away