This was a bit of a new scenario for me because I'd not really listened to THE AMITY AFFLICTION before tonight, this gig was a gift for my better half (and I wanted to see Northlane so it was a win-win). I am now a fully converted TAA fan with their records on repeat.

First up on stage were WAGE WAR, a metalcore band from Ocala, Florida who signed to Fearless Records last year. After only releasing their debut album, Blueprints, last year the band are already proving to make an impact in the music scene and their six-song set proved exactly why. Opening up with 'Hallow' before sliding straight into 'Alive' made the band claim that stage as somewhere that they can call home. It was the first time I've actually heard of these guys and it certainly won't be the last. They continued the set with a few more tracks before finishing up with 'Twenty One'.

Not long after their set, STRAY FROM THE PATH entered the stage to continue with a night of metalcore. From Long Island, New York, Stray From The Path have already made a name for themselves over here in the UK with many tours over the past few years (i know personally I've seen them a fair few times). Opening up with 'Outbreak' from their latest album, Subliminal Criminals. Their nine-song set included 'Negative and Violent' from 2009s Make Your Own History as well as tracks from 2013s Anonymous. Midway through the set they also played their latest single, 'The House Always Wins' which was released earlier this year which went down pretty well. Finishing off with 'First World Problem Child', a track that is a collab with Sam Carter of Architects, the band left the energy in the room pretty damn high and the crowd were more than ready for the next band of the night. 

So, from America we move across to Australia for NORTHLANE. I was stoked for all the other bands playing tonight but Northlane truly had my heart when I saw the line up (and obviously because I wanted to treat the better half to a band he liked). When Marcus and the rest of the band appeared on stage the now full, O2 Ritz roared. Stood up on the balcony we could see the pits ready to go yet again as the band broke into their set with 'Rot' from 2015s album, Node. Marcus joined Northlane as lead vocalist late in 2014 after replacing Adrian Fitipaldes and he's done a bloody good job of it. Despite not joining until that date, the Northlane set list still consisted and has consisted of older tracks such as 'Dispossession' from 2011s Discoveries and 'Masquerade' from 2013s Singularity with a pretty balanced mix of tracks. Their final two tracks just showed how diverse their music is with 'Quantum Flux' (a Northlane show essential), with a Djent sound and feel before finishing their set with 'Obelisk' producing a perfect balance of metalcore which also involved the biggest pit of the night so far.

After three amazing bands already it was hard to believe that there was still a headliner due to perform and the chiming church bells of 'I Bring The Weather With Me' rang out, pumping the crowd for THE AMITY AFFLICTION to take to the stage. With the eruption of smoke and confetti firing at the crowd, the band continued their set with 'Open Letter' from 2012s Chasing Ghosts.


As I previously mentioned, I'd not really listened to the band prior to the gig but I did know a couple of tracks including 'All Fucked Up' from 2016s incredible album, This Could Be Heartbreak which blew me away hearing it live. It's a slower track but it was just simply stunning to see with many people on the shoulders of their friends and partners. The set moved pretty quickly with tracks across the latest three albums including 'The Weigh Down' from 2014s Let The Ocean Take Me.


 With only twelve tracks to win me over they had done their job and it was their final three tracks of 'Pittsburgh', 'Don't Lean On Me' and finally, 'This Could Be Heartbreak' which blew me away. Just everything from lyrics to on-stage performance The Amity Affliction are flawless and after such a good night of acts my love for the metalcore genre only grew - even though I didn't think that was possible.

Everyone emptied out of the venue pumped and dripping with sweat in December. Good going!

Here's to hoping that some (or all) of these get announced for Download next year!