LIVE FROM THE PIT: The Amity Affliction, Silent Planet, Varials and Orthodox

On a cold and wet October night at the iconic Nottingham venue Rock City, THE AMITY AFFLICTION played the penultimate show of their House Of Cards tour. It was a night filled with bangers, mosh pits, circle pits, crowd surfers and enough intensity to carry the atmosphere from start to finish.

Opening the night was ORTHODOX, a five-piece band from Tennessee. A distorted, eerie Motown-style track played in reverse before the boys burst into sixth gear on stage. They brought incredible energy from the get-go and demanded that the crowd reciprocate. Circle pits and mosh pits at 18:30 are always a great start to any metal gig. The venue was perfect for their performance, with its intimate setting allowing the passion to pour straight into the crowd. Blending elements of groove metal with distinctive influences from the likes of SLIPKNOT, ORTHODOX lit the fuse of this heavy metal bomb.

VARIALS were next, and the goal was simple: match ORTHODOX. Somehow, they took things up another level. With the crowd already hyped, the drum-heavy opening only made the venue jump and shake harder, as if a horde were marching towards Rock City. VARIALS have a dark and ominous sound built around heavy metal chaos, but they’ve also incorporated guitar riffs that transition between songs and bridges, creating moments of pause and anticipation before everything comes crashing back down in a rally of screams and angst.

The sound production team deserves a special mention here. They got the balance spot on, ensuring the sound never became an indistinguishable wall of noise. They made excellent use of the venue’s size and the crowd’s energy, giving VARIALS the perfect opportunity to showcase their talent.

The final support act was SILENT PLANET, the band whose sound came closest to that of the headliners. An eerie, futuristic sci-fi intro set the scene before the metal kicked in and the screams ensued. While the melodic vocals weren’t always the strongest, the band more than made up for it with their screams. It also helped that the lead and backing vocals blended so well, maintaining the momentum throughout.

SILENT PLANET ooze the sound of vintage ENTER SHIKARI, incorporating plenty of techno elements into their style. Sawing guitar riffs work brilliantly alongside metal screams, and combined with the keyboard elements, they delivered a great performance.

SILENT PLANET are very much a band of the here and now. They’re not afraid to push the boundaries of music, but they’re equally willing to stand up for their political beliefs, delivering powerful speeches in support of Palestine and raising awareness of mental health issues.

The time had arrived for the headline act to take the stage. The interlude had featured some of the best songs rock has to offer, with LINKIN PARK’s In The End playing as THE AMITY AFFLICTION teased their entrance. Rather than cutting the song short, the band let the crowd have its moment to pay tribute, something that was clearly appreciated throughout the venue.

Then came that first violin note of Pittsburgh, and the roof was blown off.

The band walked out to the harmonious sounds, and the energy was immediately palpable. Joel Birch held the mic and sang the opening line before simply pointing it towards the crowd. In unison, the entire venue could have sung the song back to him. It was the perfect start: impeccable vocals, both screamed and melodic, with the crowd playing its part as the band’s choir and third vocalist.

Rock City is a venue THE AMITY AFFLICTION have played numerous times before, and it’s easy to see why they keep returning. The intimate size of the venue means the distance between the main stage and the crowd is almost within touching distance. It takes the experience back to the roots of rock, where the connection between the band and its audience is everything.

There were two distinct sides to the crowd: the die-hard moshers at the front and those soaking up the atmosphere further back. Both groups were intertwined, yet each had its own space to enjoy the show. Wherever someone stood, the music hit hard.

Drag The Lake and Bleed both delivered strong vocal performances, while the drumming was particularly impressive. The short, robust bass riffs and voice-overs are part of what makes this band stand out, ticking every box when it comes to delivering a powerful live performance.

The production team deserves another round of applause, with the animations and light shows perfectly synchronised with the music. For a venue of Rock City’s size, the production felt arena-worthy and wouldn’t have looked out of place on a much bigger stage with a far larger screen.

The latest album tracks followed, beginning with Heaven Sent. Its fast verse and bridge contrast with a slower chorus, creating a transcendent feeling that works beautifully with the song’s heavenly theme. The carefully crafted setlist maintained that atmosphere with It’s Hell Down Here, a particularly poignant moment. Birch’s isolated vocals were a brilliant touch, showcasing his remarkable ability to convey emotion without relying on the full force of the band.

House Of Cards followed, and these tracks sounded even better live than they do on the LP. The songs benefited from the atmosphere of the venue, with the crowd adding another dimension to the performance.

The crowd was also given a choice between Open Letter and Chasing Ghosts, and that’s an element of live shows worth celebrating. Allowing fans to choose a song guarantees interaction and gives them a greater sense of being part of the performance. Chasing Ghosts edged it, and it was undoubtedly the right choice for the evening, flowing perfectly with the atmosphere and feeling like a moment that belonged to the crowd as much as the band.

All Fucked Up was the metalcore/sadcore banger of the night. The band used it to slow things down, although the amps were still cranked up, meaning the sound towards the back of the venue became a little distorted. Nevertheless, the chorus echoed around Rock City, and the emotion carried throughout the room. Mobile phone as handheld torches flooded the venue as “Won’t you save my life” was belted out by the crowd, creating one of the night’s most memorable moments.

Kickboxer and Death’s Hand kicked things back into top gear, revving up the crowd for an incredible finish. VARIALS’ lead singer joined the band for the final part of the show, and the combination of both screams worked brilliantly, adding another layer of intensity to an already relentless performance.

The encore was Soak Me In Bleach, an almost perfect choice for a crowd already drenched in sweat and caught up in the emotion of the evening. From start to finish, the night was destined to be chaotic and relentless, but the opportunity to witness so much talent across the genre was the final touch.

Credit to all the bands. Credit to the venue. Rock City delivered a night that showcased the very best of heavy music, with THE AMITY AFFLICTION proving exactly why they remain such a force on the live circuit.

Words: David Waites

Photos: Izzy Sheldon