The Amity Affliction has lost its lead guitarist whilst the metalcore band tours the U.S.
Brady announced his departure on the Australian group’s Facebook page. “It’s with deep regret I need to let you all know I will no longer be writing music or performing as part of The Amity Affliction. Myself and Ahren started this band 11 years ago, and spent every second of every day thinking about making the next step. I never dreamed I would see the world through music and make the life long friends that i have made. But it is time for me to step away.”
He continued, “Although I’m not ready to go into any of the personal details behind this, I want to thank everyone who has supported me during my time in the band especially my family and girlfriend. This decision has been the hardest thing I have ever done.”
Brady leaves the Gympie-via-Brisbane outfit at a time when their career is soaring upwards. The Amity Affliction picked up their second straight No. 1 on the ARIA Albums Chart earlier this year with Let The Ocean Take Me (Roadrunner Records Inc). The act’s fourth studio album opened at No. 31 on the Billboard 200 and its up for an ARIA Award next month in the category for best hard rock/heavy metal album.
The chart-topper follows Chasing Ghosts, which also opened at the peak in Australia in September 2012. The band had stunned the Australian music biz in 2010 when their sophomore album bowed at No. 6 on the ARIA albums charts, at the time the highest-ever debut for a hardcore band (tying with Parkway Drive’s 2007 debut, Horizons). The Amity Affliction’s 2008 debut Severed Ties reached No. 26 Down Under.
The remaining bandmembers have moved to allay fans’ concerns. In a separate comment on its Facebook page, the musos say Troy’s departure won’t “slow us down”, work has already begun on a follow-up record and its tour schedule over the next year is “looking to be our busiest yet.” The note continues, “The boat sails on, see you tonight New York!”
Indeed, the band’s touring itinerary is looking solid with dates booked across the U.S., Europe and Australia into 2015.
Frontman Joel Birch has told Australia’s Triple J radio network that TAA was “not looking to replace Troy”.