Adelaide crowds annoy me. Over the last few years our local metal/hardcore scene has been home to some fantastic acts and hosted some incredible interstate and international acts. Apparently, in that time our standards have risen and we couldn’t possibly show enthusiasm for a smaller, newer band, oh no. What Thursday night at Fowler’s proved is that Adelaide crowds are very good at three things: sending text messages, talking to friends and staring blankly at bands. And while three talented support acts tried their darnedest to impress, they just couldn’t compete with the routine and familiar sounds of The Amity Affliction.

Openers, Infiltraitor are testament to the fact that it is sometimes a very good thing to rock up to a gig five minutes late. From the moment I stepped through the door I was met with a wall of finely-crafted sound. Infiltraitor are one of the few local bands incorporating keyboards with metal and doing it very well. Playing songs off the Shadows EP, the boys proved they’re a young band with a lot of talent and a great, solid sound. Already with a small following, this band is on the new wave of fresh local talent, and with any luck will revive the often stale Adelaide scene.

Hopeless opened strongly with a classic hardcore sound reminiscent of Carpathian. While the rest of the set occasionally slipped into monotony, the boys put on a tight, energetic show that was unfortunately not reflected by the crowd. I could see the frustration on the band member’s faces as they fought for any signs of life or movement from the audience. Playing tracks off their EP Dear World Hopeless proved their worth as a talented hardcore act. Hopefully they will receive a better response for the rest of the tour.

UK lads We Are The Ocean kicked things up a notch when they took to the stage near the end of the night. If charming English accents weren’t enough to seduce, their Alexisonfire meets Architects sound was. The most ambitious act of the night yet, We Are The Ocean saw the need for an audience ass-kicking and gave it swiftly. Playing tracks off their self-titled EP and new tracks from a forthcoming album Cutting Our Teeth, WATO proved to be the best act of the night. Lead vocalist Dan Brown got down and dirty with the crowd, joining the small circle pit and generally getting up in some now-eager faces. While Brown was wreaking havoc, Liam Cromby with the pretty, Dallas Green style vocals was a force of his own. Best track of the night Ready to Fall had the crowd both frenetic and stunned into submission.

Enter The Amity Affliction. The Brisvegas scene veterans swaggered on stage to screams from a now three-quarters-filled Fowler’s crowd. The boys looked relaxed and happy to be playing the first show of their Stairway to Hell tour. Vocalist Joel constantly played with the crowd, getting down to their level and inviting countless stage divers up to join them. Amity played songs from both EPs and their full-length with precision and boundless energy, keep fans eagerly awaiting their next album. To finish off the set, the boys let the crowd decide what would be the last song. Predictably, Snitches Get Stitches got the most votes and the crowd lapped it up. While Amity put on a solid show, it was more one for the fans. As catchy and popular as their music is, it doesn’t offer much for those who are less than obsessed with Amity. And if the calibre of their supporting acts is anything to go by, they may want to watch their backs.