The Amity Affliction and August Burns Red tore through the North Shore with a relentless energy, their Spring Horizons Tour making its mark on Pittsburgh this past April 12th. The date was particularly significant because locals know it as 412 Day, making it the most appropriate time possible for The Amity Affliction to bring their heavy hitting anthems to the city. These two powerhouses have very different approaches to heavy music, with Amity focusing on emotional, melodic choruses and August Burns Red specializing in complex, odd time signatures and crushing breakdowns. Seeing them together at Stage AE felt like a massive celebration for the local scene.
The night kicked off with Australian collective Heavensgate, one of the most exciting new exports from the Melbourne scene. This tour is just their third time in the US. Their sound was a massive wall of atmospheric metalcore that felt both haunting and incredibly aggressive. The frontman was very antagonistic, goading the crowd to mosh harder. Attendees were still filtering in, but those who arrived early were treated to a full-frontal sonic assault. Heavensgate played through several tracks from their latest EP A HEART IS A HEAVY BURDEN, showcasing a blend of heavy riffs and raw vocal power. It’s rare to see an opening band command the floor so effectively, but the energy in the room shifted the moment they hit their first breakdown.
Boundaries took the stage next and immediately turned the pit into a chaotic whirlwind of movement. Hailing from Connecticut, Boundaries has built a reputation for some of the most visceral and honest lyrics in the hardcore world today. Their set was lean and mean, focusing on the high tempo aggression that has made them a fan favourite over the last few years. Vocalist Matthew McDougal encouraged everyone to get in on the action, urging the brave souls in the pit to push their neighbours, as there should be no spectators – only participants. The floor of the pit was covered in sweat, beer, and who knows what else by the end of their set.
August Burns Red arrived with their signature precision, reminding Pittsburgh why they are the gold standard for live technical metalcore. The lineup remains a well oiled machine, featuring the ferocious Jake Luhrs on vocals and the incredible guitar duo of JB Brubaker and Brent Rambler. On the low end, Dustin Davidson kept the grooves locked in while Matt Greiner delivered a legendary performance behind the drum kit. Watching them interact on stage is always a treat because they look like they are having the time of their lives while playing some of the most difficult music in the industry. Jake was a constant source of positivity, encouraging the crowd to look out for one another while the band played with flawless accuracy. He also urged anyone who had never crowdsurfed before to give it a go, resulting in waves of bodies pouring over the pit. Even the young fans got in on the fun, some experiencing their first show ever.
August Burns Red’s set included a little bit of everything, but the real magic was in the brand new material from their upcoming album, Season of Surrender, set to release on June 5th. They treated the Pittsburgh crowd to “The Nameless” and “Behemoth,” two tracks that suggest the new album is going to be heavier than ever, both in sound and emotion. “Behemoth” lived up to its name with a fast, crushing beat that felt heavy enough to shake the foundations of the building. Fans of their older work will be happy to know the technical flourishes are still there, but there’s a new sense of maturity in the songwriting. The crowd response to the new songs was just as loud as they were for the classics, which says a lot about the loyalty of the ABR family.
When it was time for The Amity Affliction to take over, the atmosphere shifted toward the moody and melodic style they have perfected. The band was led by the dual vocal attack of Joel Birch and Jonathan Reeves, whose contrast between gritty screams and soaring cleans is the heart of their sound. Guitarist Dan Brown provided the heavy riffs and atmospheric leads that define their aesthetic, while Joe Longobardi kept a punishing pace on the drums. Joel Birch remains one of the most captivating frontmen in the scene, his unearthly screams mesmerizing the completely locked-in pit. There’s a deep connection between Amity and their fans that is almost visceral when you’re standing in the middle of the room.
The setlist was a journey through Amity’s discography with a special focus on their upcoming album, House of Cards, releasing on April 24th. They played several new tracks that leaned heavily into their post hardcore roots, blending dark lyrical themes with massive, catchy hooks. The title track “House of Cards” already sounds like a future staple of their live show, with the entire venue screaming along to the chorus even though it was just released earlier this year. The fans were already locked into the new melodies, ravenous for the entire album. The show production was top notch, featuring light displays that complemented the emotional highs and lows of the performance perfectly.
When in Pittsburgh, and especially on 412 Day, the night could only end one way, and Amity did not disappoint. As the first notes of “Pittsburgh” rang out, the energy at Stage AE reached a boiling point that was unlike anything else all night. It was a beautiful, full circle moment to hear every single person screaming along while the band gave it their all. The song has become an anthem for resilience, and hearing it in the city it was named after is always a spiritual experience for the local fans. It was the most incredible way to close out a landmark day for the Pittsburgh heavy music scene.
April 12th, 2026
