The split between vocalist/bassist Ahren Stringer and Australian metalcore band The Amity Affliction appears headed for legal resolution. Stringer‘s time touring with the band was initially paused in May of 2024, with the band announcing his absence was due to him needing time to address his mental health and addiction issues.
While September of that year saw Stringer publicly proclaim his sobriety and indicate his intentions to return to rejoin the band, a statement issued by the group earlier this month instead announced that Stringer was no longer a member of the outfit.
Stringer had made comments on social media prior about his exit from the group not being by his decision, and at the time of the aforementioned statement regarding his dismissal, shared comments from others decrying the band’s vocalist Joel Birch. Specifically for how Stringer‘s aforementioned hiatus and ultimate departure was handled. A subsequent post on social media from Stringer found him confirming that he was “kicked out” of the group.
Taking to social media this week, Stringer briefly shared the below screencap, which seems to indicate he is filing an opposition to Birch holding the band’s trademark. A subsequent follow-up post on his Instagram stories found him sharing the following sentence, “Who started the band again? You will lose.”
Stringer, Joseph Lilwall and Troy Brady have been credited with starting the band in 2003, with Birch signing on in 2004. Since Stringer‘s aforementioned absence and ultimate ejection, The Amity Affliction have been touring with Jonathan Reeves as his live replacement.
