LIVE: THE AMITY AFFLICTION + SENSES FAIL – January 15, 2019

Venue: The Masquerade (Heaven)

City: Atlanta, GA

Date: January 15, 2019

Review and Photographs by: Rachel Craig

Hundreds of metalcore and post-hardcore fans found “Misery” in Atlanta, which isn’t as bad as it sounds. The Amity Affliction, Senses Fail, Silent Planet, and Belmont passed through The Masquerade on the Misery Will Find You tour for an unforgettable night full of crowdsurfing, microphone tossing, and moshing. The night kicked off with Belmont, a pop punk band from Chicago. I was not able to get photos of their set due to an issue at the door, but I did enjoy hearing their energetic music while I was waiting. They released their first full-length album last year, which I highly recommend. Next to take the stage was Silent Planet, a band that was added to the tour after Bad Omens dropped out of the lineup. These guys are known for their poetic lyrics mixed with breakdowns, and it was almost hard to keep up with frontman Garrett Russell since he was all over the stage and in the crowd. There were dozens of crowdsurfers coming over the barricade, a few of which ended up grabbing the mic to sing along. There was even someone in an inflatable T-Rex suit crowdsurfing.

Senses Fail turned Underground Atlanta into a pop-punk/post-hardcore party and simultaneously turned me into a huge fan with their charisma and energy. Frontman Buddy Nielsen commands the stage with a swagger that reminds me a bit of Freddie Mercury, slinging his microphone around like a lasso and leaping from the drum kit. I was actually surprised that their set list was packed with more songs than The Amity Affliction, but it didn’t feel very long since they were so catchy. Their set list included “Can’t Be Saved,” “Lady in a Blue Dress,” “Double Cross,” “Bite To Break Skin,” and “Elevator to the Gallows,” which the band dedicated to Demi Lovato (a running joke that got them attention from the pop star with their latest music video). Just when I thought Senses Fail couldn’t get more crazy, they ended their set with a mashup of 90s/2000s metal hits – “Chop Suey” by System of a Down, “Bodies” by Drowning Pool, “Break Stuff” by Limp Bizkit, and “Bulls On Parade” by Rage Against The Machine.

The show seemed to reach its peak during Senses Fail, but the boys from Australia switched gears to leave the biggest impression. The Masquerade resonated with the sound of passionate singing fans for The Amity Affliction’s whole set. The only other time I’ve been able to see The Amity Affliction was at Warped Tour last summer, so it was nice to be able to see their full production with a full set list. This tour comes just a few months after the release of their latest album called Misery, which was a musical change for the band toward a more pop-inspired direction. However, those same songs from Misery were just as heavy as the band’s older material in a live setting. Frontman Joel Birch’s vocals (both clean and screaming) were the best I’ve heard them so far, along with Ahren Stringer and the occasional backup vocals from guitarist Dan Brown, who also garnered a big reaction with his guitar solos on “I Bring The Weather With Me” and “Set Me Free.” The band’s new drummer Joe Longobardi also fit in well with the band, playing all of Amity’s familiar songs with a unique charisma. The crowd was very active with crowdsurfers and a big mosh pit, which turned into a Wall of Death during “Death’s Hand.” The set list included the band’s popular singles “Shine On,” “Open Letter,” “Ivy (Doomsday),” “Don’t Lean On Me,” and “Pittsburgh,” along with some lesser-known and newer material like “Shine On,” “D.I.E,” and “Holier Than Heaven.” After “Pittsburgh,” the band returned to the stage to play “All Fucked Up” for the encore, which prompted an emotional response from everyone in the room.

The Misery Will Find You tour has faced a bit of controversy, between a lineup change and backlash against Joel Birch for speaking out against a fan wearing a Trump jersey at the Las Vegas date. However, this show has already set the bar high for other shows I’ll be seeing this year. It’s always a very therapeutic experience to see The Amity Affliction, and Senses Fail also proved themselves to be one of the most fun bands touring today. Both Silent Planet and Belmont also have very promising careers ahead of them and I plan to catch them again as soon as I can. I highly recommend checking out this tour if it comes through your city.

The Amity Affliction setlist: Drag The Lake – Ivy (Doomsday) – I Bring The Weather With Me – Holier Than Heaven – This Could Be Heartbreak – Shine On – D.I.E – Open Letter – Feels Like I’m Dying – Death’s Hand – Set Me Free – Don’t Lean On Me – Pittsburgh – All Fucked Up

Senses Fail setlist: Can’t Be Saved – Shark Attack – Lady in a Blue Dress – Double Cross – Family Tradition – War Paint – Calling All Cars – Gold Jacket, Green Jacket… – Canine – Negative Space – The Priest And The Matador – Elevator to the Gallows – Buried A Lie – Rum is for Drinking, Not For Burning – Bite To Break Skin – Chop Suey/Bodies/Break Stuff/Bulls On Parade

THE AMITY AFFLICTION LINKS:

OFFICIAL SITE

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

SENSES FAIL LINKS:

OFFICIAL SITE

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

Category: Live Reviews, Photo Galleries