The Amity Affliction have checked in with fans while meandering throughout Europe for their This Could Be Heartbreak tour to announce that drummer Ryan Burt will no longer be continuing on the run. The shows will go on, though, with a replacement already locked and loaded.
As the band explain on Facebook, Burt will be heading home to focus on his health and “ongoing mental demons”. Considering the band have been touring the album non-stop since it was released, it’s understandable that the dude might be starting to burn out.
The post adds, “As a group of friends who have had to deal with mental health issues in one way or another, all four of us knew that the best course of action was for him to take the time to go home and get some professional support.” Read the full statement, below.
To finish the dates, Amity have tagged respected session drummer Casey Mchale, who’ll be joining them in the UK. The tour continues on featuring countrymen Northlane.
Amity have had a pretty rough run of it lately. No doubt the post ARIAs drama is still in the back of their minds as they push on with their never-ending tour schedule.
Read The Amity Affliction’s Facebook post in full, below.
For help or information regarding mental health, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636.
Watch: The Amity Affliction – ‘All Fucked Up’
The Amity Affliction Facebook Statement
“We are sad to announce that Ryan will not be performing on any further shows on the This Could Be Heartbreak UK / European headline tour.
Ryan has recently been battling some ongoing mental demons, and as a group of friends who have had to deal with mental health issues in one way or another, all four of us knew that the best course of action was for him to take the time to go home and get some professional support. It wasn’t an easy decision to make, but it is the right one. Our priority at this point is Ryan’s health, and that will always come first.
The shows themselves will all continue as planned, with Casey McHale filling in on drums. He’s an amazing musician and a great friend of both Ryan and the band, and we know we can rely on him to deliver the show you all deserve to see.
We ask that everyone respect Ryan’s privacy while he’s getting better.
If you need someone to talk to regarding mental health, please don’t hesitate to seek help from someone who is properly trained and qualified.”