It was a busy night on Causeway street with the Red Sox playing a home game, Sleep Token at MGM Music Hall at Fenway and The Amity Affliction at The House of Blues. The fans were lined up all around the area trying to get into their respectives venues.
The first band of the evening was a metal band from San Jose, CA Mugshot. They had their first release in 2016 with their album Dull Boy. Five years later they came out with an EP “Empty Heaven ” which put them on the road to stardom. Mugshot is made up by drummer Connor Haines, guitarist Michael Demko, and vocalist Ringo Waterman.
Their latest EP, Cold Will, it is meticulously crafted by the trials of life. Addressing profound themes such as abuse, depression, manipulation, trauma, and other existential struggles, the album navigates the tumultuous waters of human experience. Mugshot firmly believes that when one’s voice is suppressed by the distortions of existence, it becomes our responsibility to amplify and bring awareness to their narrative.
As they took the stage the fans were entering the venue. This was an early start to the show so fans were just starting to pile in. The band was doing their part to get the crowd ready for the rest of the night.
They played a mix of songs from the beginning of their career to the new EP just released. The fans were enjoying the music as they were finding their seat.
Next band of the evening was American metalcore band from Portland, Oregon Dying Wish. The band consists of vocalist Emma Boster, guitarists Sam Reynolds and Pedro Carrillo, drummer Jeff Yambra and bassist Jon Mackey. In 2023, the band announced they were recording their second full-length album. The band released a single in 2023 called “Torn From Your Silhouette”. The group released another song, “Watch My Promise Die” in July 2023, and announced their second full-length album alongside the song. The album, Symptoms of Survival, was released on November 3, 2023, through SharpTone.
From the moment vocalist Emma Boster’s haunting screams pierced the air, it was evident that this was no ordinary performance. Their setlist went through the depths of human experience. Tracks like “Enemies in Red,” “Heavenly Bastard,” and “Innate Thirst” surged with a ferocity that bordered on visceral, each riff and breakdown hitting with the force of a sledgehammer. Yet amidst the chaos, there were moments of haunting beauty, like the ethereal melodies of “The Blighted” or the melancholic introspection of “Sudden Sky.”
The crowd responded in kind, their energy feeding off the band’s intensity until the distinction between performer and audience blurred into nothingness. Bodies collided in the pit, voices were raised in unison, and for a brief moment, it felt as though we were all part of something bigger than ourselves.
As the final notes of “Mending the Fabric of a Life” echoed into the night, there was a palpable sense of catharsis in the air.
Dying Wish may be a band, but their music is nothing short of a revelation—a testament to the power of art to heal, to inspire, and to remind us that we are never truly alone in this world.
The next band of the evening was is an American metalcore band formed in Newtown, Connecticut in 2011 by former drummer Jeff Brown Currents. After numerous line-up changes, they consist of singer Brian Wille, guitarists Ryan Castaldi and Chris Wiseman, bassist and backing vocalist Christian Pulgarin, and drummer Matt Young. Since 2018, no original members remain with the band.
On November 25, 2022, the band released another new single “Vengeance”. On February 1, 2023, Currents released the third single “Remember Me”, along with the announcement of their third album “The Death We Seek”, to be released on May 5, 2023 via SharpTone Records. On March 29, the band released the album’s fourth single “So Alone”. Simultaneous with the album’s release, the band released a new music video for “Unfamiliar”.
Opening with the atmospheric intro of “Apnea,” Currents wasted no time in grabbing the audience by the throat and refusing to let go. Frontman Brian Wille’s vocals cut through the air like a razor blade, alternating between guttural growls and soaring cleans with effortless precision. Backed by guitarist Chris Wiseman’s intricate riffing, bassist Christian Pulgarin’s thunderous low end, and drummer Matt Young’s relentless percussive assault, the band tore through their setlist with an intensity that bordered on ferocious.
The fans were on their feet, screaming, and at points during their performance they were creating mosh pits. The fans were loving every minute of it and were singing along to the songs. Although there was a brief delay in their set as there was a fan that needed medical attention after the band stop playing for a few minutes the fan appeared to be ok. Their setlist included songs from their old days and some of the new stuff that some fans knew and for others it was the first time hearing.
Currents had, reminded us that even in our darkest moments, there is beauty to be found. And for that, we were grateful.
The final band of the evening was is an Australian post-hardcore band from Gympie, Queensland, formed in 2003 The Amity Affliction. The band’s current line-up consists of Ahren Stringer (bass, clean vocals), Joel Birch (lead vocals), Dan Brown (guitar) and Joe Longobardi (drums). They are known for their highly personal songs, often dealing with depression, anxiety, death, substance abuse, and suicide, many lyrics stemming from vocalist Joel Birch’s past struggles. The Amity Affliction released their latest album, Not Without My Ghosts, on 12 May 2023.
Before the show the band had announced that the bassist Ahren Stringer was not going to be joining the remainder of the North American tour. He will be replaced by Tim Beken, who many of you know from True North, will join them until Stringer returns. The decision is in the best interest of Stringer’s mental health and well-being. He is returning to Australia to address his struggle with addiction and get the support he needs. They asked the fans to bring signs for Stringer and let him know they were supporting him. They also said to respect his privacy as he is going through this difficult time.
While they were waiting to come on stage the song “Let The Ocean Take Me” was playing through the venue speakers. Once on stage the band went into playing their first song “Pittsburg.” They went into playing “‘Lost & Fading,” “The Weigh Down,” “Never Alone,” and “Forest Fire.”
Before the song “Give It All,” Birch came to the stage and said to the fans we want to give it up for Beken for learning all this shit in one day. He left the stage and had the fans watch a video of clips of Stringer.
The fans were in awe and cheered for the bassist.
They continued their set with “I See Dead People,” Drag The Lake,” and “All My Friends Are Dead.” The fans were on their feet the entire show and were showing their love for the band. They were cheering and screaming and creating mosh pits. The venue was loud and rowdy. It was a party setting.
As the night drew to a close with the anthemic “Open Letter,” there was a sense of camaraderie in the air—a feeling that, for a few brief hours, we were all in this together. The House of Blues may have been packed to the rafters, but in that moment, it felt like home. In the end, The Amity Affliction didn’t just put on a concert—they created an experience.
The Amity Affliction
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Currents
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Dying Wish
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