The Amity Affliction's Ahren Stringer Departs Tour For Mental Health Support
"Please feel free to bring signs of support for Ahren that we can send to him at home... he needs as much support as we can possibly give him."
The Amity Affliction (Credit: Tom Barnes)
As The Amity Affliction approach the last remaining dates on their lengthy US tour, the Aussie metalcore band have revealed that their bassist and singer, Ahren Stringer, will depart the tour to receive the support he needs.
Touring in celebration of the tenth anniversary of their 2014 album, Let The Ocean Take Me, with special guests Currents, Dying Wish, and Mugshot, the band shared the news of Stringer’s imminent return to Australia in a social media post overnight.
“In what is the most heartbreaking news, we have to tell you that Ahren won't be joining us on the remainder of our North American tour dates,” the band wrote. “Tim Beken, who many of you will know from True North, will join us for all upcoming shows until Ahren returns.”
Writing that Stringer’s departure is “in the best interest” of his mental health and wellbeing, the musician will return home for support in dealing with addiction.
The band continued, “This tour has been our best US tour ever, and we look forward to seeing you on the road. Please feel free to bring signs of support for Ahren that we can send to him at home, now more than ever he needs as much support as we can possibly give him.
“Thank you for understanding and please respect Ahren's privacy as well as ours, this is a heartbreaking matter that we will be working through internally as we look forward to his recovery and return.”
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In his own post, Stringer’s co-vocalist and songwriting partner, Joel Birch, said that he’s “crushed” but acknowledged that the band have “made the right move for our dear friend’s health.
“This fucking sucks, but we carry on, and we owe a huge thank you to True North for loaning us Tim temporarily,” Birch continued. “Ahren is not being replaced, ever, everything is temporary. Thank you for understanding.”
The Music sends support to Ahren Stringer and The Amity Affliction during this trying time.
This November, The Amity Affliction will bring their Let The Ocean Take Me tenth-anniversary tour to Australia, performing in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth.
Fellow metalcore heavyweights Ice Nine Kills, We Came As Romans, and fast-rising Melbourne hardcore outfit HEAVENSGATE will support them for all five shows.
Let The Ocean Take Me was released in June 2014, marking The Amity Affliction’s fourth studio album. It was well-received at the time—The Music declared the release “proof that sometimes passion and honesty can turn a decent album into a great one.”
Last May, the band released their self-produced eighth album, Not Without My Ghosts, via Pure Noise Records. It was another instantaneous success, debuting at #2 on the ARIA Albums Chart and topping the Australian Albums and Vinyl charts.
If you or someone you know is suffering from depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts or other mental-related illness, we implore you to get in contact with Beyondblue or Lifeline:
Beyondblue: 1300 224 636
Lifeline: 13 11 14
Suicide Call-Back Service: 1300 659 467
Beyondblue and Lifeline both also offer online chat/counsel. Check their respective websites for operational hours and details.
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