Show Review: Affinity @ The Opera House

in Concerts by Mike Hallihan — January 23, 2010 at 6:52 pm | 0 comments

Affinity @ The Opera House

January 9, 2010

Affinity (n.) – a natural liking for an attraction to a person, thing, idea, etc.

Affinity (n.) – inherent likeness or agreement; close resemblance or connection.

In terms of definitions, you can take your pick, as both reveal perfect one-line descriptions of this talented 5-piece band called by that very name, Affinity. The inherent likeness they ALL have is for each other and the music they produce. Quite simply, this group is hard-rock at its best and they absolutely need to be heard. Not just by rock fans, but by music fans. Don’t believe me? Then consider it your loss.

The band is comprised of fiery lead singer Ashley Curtis, Mark Kaczor and Paul Loduca with their impressive lead and rhythm guitar-work respectively, Mack Flynn who handles bass, keyboard and backup vocals, and finally Sean Hillman hammering at the back on drums.

Some would compare their sound to that of Evanescence or perhaps Flyleaf. Personally, I think their energy level and big-hit potential is much greater. Their sound is a rare combination of powerful and heavy, yet catchy and undoubtedly addictive.

Being at their live shows brings you back to the “connection” piece in the meaning of their band name. Their stage presence alone is pure energy and passion. Even some of the most successful bands could watch with envy and stand to use an injection of what they’ve got. Perhaps the most impressive part? The charisma is shared and spread among the group equally. Not only can you hear it, you can feel it. They work together tightly, like a rock version of Voltron.

To date, they’ve opened for several popular Canadian artists including Jully Black, K’Naan, The Stills and G-d Made Me Funky. With the buzz surrounding these guys increasing daily, it’s only a matter of time before they are the ones being opened for.

I highly recommend you check out Affinity’s songs, videos, photos, radio appearances and more at www.myspace.com/theaffinityproject. You can also currently buy their debut self-titled EP through iTunes or at www.cdbaby.com. Trust me, it’s worth every penny.

AFFINITY @ The Opera House (Toronto, ON) – January 9, 2010

Tonight at The Opera House in downtown Toronto, Affinity was amped as usual.

Was it a coincidence that the place started filling up rapidly as they were about to hit the stage? Actually, it wasn’t surprising at all. They’ve acquired a dedicated following since arriving on the scene.

Tonight’s set list was a combination of tracks from their debut, self-titled, 7-song EP and some brand new, unrecorded material that will be featured on their full-length album, due out in Spring 2010.

They started with their signature opening track called ‘Breadcrumbs’, a song full of soaring vocals and short bursts of shredding. ‘The Hit’ and ‘Surrender’ came next, both unreleased tracks. It’s amazing to watch the number of people that already know the words to these songs!

‘Unspoken’ is another popular one off the Affinity EP. It’s another live eruption of piercing lead guitar and bouncy rhythm throughout.

‘Ascension’, a new track, truly showcases Curtis’ towering vocals, as it starts off slow and naked, with only her voice and minimal music backing her up.

Finally, they end with ‘Second Chance’, a sing-along staple amongst the Affinity faithful. As the show draws to a close, Curtis leads the way with an, “I’ve been waiting for my second chance!” chant, which grows louder with each repetition. Then, with a furious, high-speed ending, it’s over.

Next up, Affinity will be rocking The Opera House again on Saturday, February 6. Like their progression so far has revealed, this show is certain to be even tighter and more polished than the last. From this group, I’d expect nothing less.

Track list:
Breadcrumbs
The Hit
Surrender
Unspoken
When We Were Young
Ascension
Second Chance