Australia’s hardcore music scene is booming at the moment, but some are making it bigger than others. Without a doubt one of the former would be local favourites, The Amity Affliction.
Not only has the band scored themselves a spot on the much coveted Soundwave 2013 lineup, but they’ve also had their new album, Chasing Ghosts debut at #1. Kicking the tour off in their home state of Queensland, the Gympie lads have no shortage of fans with not one, but a massive four shows at Brisbane’s very own Tivoli.
Embarking on the tour with Amity, are US hardcore rockers The Ghost Inside, British metalcore band Architects, and fellow Aussies, Buried In Verona.
Commencing the night shortly after doors opened, Buried In Verona do their best at getting the crowd warmed up… which isn’t that great. As the audience trickle into the venue they play their short set with a lack of connection. Whilst they do try and work the crowd up with a couple of small circle pits, most punters seemed more interested in just waiting it out.
As 8pm hits, Architects vocalist Sam Carter takes to the stage in the dark to open the band’s set on his own. After a few bars on his own the rest of the band come onto the stage with some seriously heavy stuff. Only having half an hour up their sleeves, the band waste no time in making sure that it’s one hell of a chest thumping time with hard drumming and driving guitar riffs.
The scream and clean vocals both sound on point and the crowd certainly get a bit more active and vocal themselves.
By the time he Ghost Inside take to the stage the room is fucking hot, assuring Amity’s set will be one filled with lots of sweat.
Smashing out “Faith Or Forgiveness” and “The Great Unknown”, the very popular US band step it up one more notch, boosting the energy in the room that little bit more. The sound is massive and, combined with the scream vocals, it feels like your insides are about to explode. Luckily, the crowd survive to make it to Amity Affliction.
As the room darkens and Amity’s curtain drops, the room fills with deafening cheers – followed closely by the in-your-face surge of power that is Amity Affliction. The title track off latest album, Chasing Ghosts opens their set followed by “Anchors”, “Fire And Knife” and “RIP Bon”.
The vocals are a good mix of scream and clean while the sound is perfectly clear, letting you hear every monstrous riff and drum beat onstage. Accompanied by some pretty cool lighting and confetti canons, the group don’t hold back as they rip through what is surprisingly a rather short set of an hour, including an interlude.
The sheer ferocity of their set however, has the crowd going crazy with people being launched everywhere. Wrapping their set up with “Youngbloods” and “Open Letter”, the band leave the stage covered in sweat and the audience, in confetti from a pretty solid performance.
– Chris Condoleon
