Bands like The Amity Affliction cop a lot of crap from so-called ‘true’ metalheads, for being ‘soft’, ‘sellouts’ or whatever other highly imaginative insult they can sling at them. These ‘true’ fans need to open their eyes, ears and minds. You may not like the music, it may not be ‘brutal’ enough for you, but at the very least these guys can turn people on to a heavier style of music, and from there they may possibly discover the so-called ‘real’ stuff.
The Amity Affliction are real. Their sound is heavy and melodic in all the right places, the verses scream with incredible angst and the choruses soar to the very heavens. The guitars grind and the double-kickers pound with fury. The songs are strong and emotional (and no, that doesn’t mean ‘emo’), and the teen suicide theme running through the lyrics and artwork is authentic and (sadly) ever-current. The extra, subtle touch of washy atmospherics they have added to their sound this time round is very welcome as well.
It may be just a touch formulaic, but these guys are out there doing it – putting out good, strong, heavy product and touring their arses off behind it. Pulling strong crowds too. The people slagging bands like this are the jealous ‘true’ metalheads who are playing their ‘brutal’ music in cruddy venues across the nation in front of 20 people.
BY ROD WHITFIELD
Best Track: I Heart H.C.
If You Like These, You’ll Like This: DREAM ON DREAMER, BURIED IN VERONA, PARKWAY DRIVE
In A Word: Goodheavymelodicshit (yeah, that’s cheating)
