Affiance (band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 2007 |
| Headquarters | Cleveland , United States |
| Products | Metalcore music, albums, EPs |
Affiance was a metalcore group originating from Cleveland, Ohio in the United States, established in 2007. Prior to their first full-length album, they issued an EP, followed by their debut studio album No Secrets Revealed, which was released through Bullet Tooth Records in December 2010. The band's lyrics, delivered by lead vocalist Dennis Tvrdik, often explored political and religious subject matter.
Origins and Calm Before the Storm EP (2007–2009)
Affiance came together in 2007 and shortly thereafter released their initial six-track EP titled Calm Before the Storm toward the end of that year.
Despite modest reception to this EP, the band secured a deal with Bullet Tooth Records to produce their first full album.
Bullet Tooth Records Signing and No Secrets Revealed Release (2010)
Following the EP's launch, Affiance embarked on a nationwide tour alongside Across The Sun and No Bragging Rights.
During one of these performances in New Jersey, Josh Grabelle, president of Bullet Tooth Records, witnessed their live show and was impressed by both the band's energy and Dennis Tvrdik’s genuine vocal delivery, leading to their signing.
In autumn 2010, they recorded their debut album No Secrets Revealed, which was officially released on December 2, 2010.
In 2011, their track "Call to the Warrior" became available as downloadable content for the well-known video game Rock Band. The corresponding music video featured footage of the band performing within the game's interface.
The Campaign Era and Extensive Touring (2012–2013)
On September 6, 2012, Affiance announced they had finished recording their next project and planned a fall tour with Modern Day Escape and Deception of a Ghost. Later that month, on September 27, they unveiled a rendition of Europe's hit "The Final Countdown."
Their album The Campaign was released on November 13, 2012. It included guest vocal contributions from Dustin Davidson of August Burns Red, Matty Mullins from Memphis May Fire, and Ricky Armellino of Century.
Early 2013 saw them touring with Glamour of the Kill. Subsequently, they embarked on their inaugural European tour as openers for Dance Gavin Dance, accompanied by Closure in Moscow and Violet. They also supported Killswitch Engage on the Disarm The Descent Tour alongside Darkest Hour, Miss May I, and The Word Alive. Later that year, Affiance joined Protest the Hero for a tour featuring Architects and The Kindred.
Releases of Blackout, Gaia, and Disbandment (2014–2017)
In mid-2014, the band released lyric videos and singles such as "Limitless," "Monuments Fail," and "Fire!" ahead of their album Blackout, which premiered on September 23, 2014. Following this release, they toured extensively including participation in Miss May I’s Road to Knotfest tour.
Spring 2016 marked the arrival of their album Gaia. To support it, Affiance toured with It Lives It Breathes, XXI, and Set to Stun.
Shortly after Gaia, Affiance announced their decision to disband. Their farewell tour took place in April 2017 with Sirens & Sailors and Convictions joining them. Their final performance occurred on June 24, 2017 at Cleveland’s Agora Theater featuring several local supporting acts.
Reunion and Formation of Night Rider (since 2020)
On October 27, 2020, Affiance returned with "Star Spangled," a somber interpretation of the U.S. National Anthem. A mysterious message on social media hinted at new material arriving November 6 when they released the single "Lost and Forgotten," followed by another single titled "The Line" on December 3.
On July 1, 2022, former members of Affiance launched a new project named Night Rider. Their debut release was a cover of Running Up That Hill.
Night Rider’s self-titled album came out on November 3, 2023. It contains eleven tracks featuring guest appearances by Dana Willax from Kingdom of Giants and Ryan Kirby from Fit for a King. To celebrate the release, they held a launch event at The Roxy in Lakewood, Ohio on December 8, 2023.
Albums
- No Secrets Revealed (Bullet Tooth Records, 2010)
- The Campaign (Bullet Tooth Records, 2012)
- Blackout (Bullet Tooth Records, 2014)
- Night Rider (2023) (under the name Night Rider)
EPs
Calm Before The Storm, released independently in 2007, was produced by the band themselves.
Gaia, marking Affiance’s concluding release in 2016, was also self-produced and self-released.
Music videos
| Year | Track | Director | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | "Call to the Warrior" | John Stanchina (Forest City Studio) | No Secrets Revealed |
| 2011 | "Nostra Culpa" | John Stanchina (Forest City Studio) | No Secrets Revealed |
| 2012 | "Kings of Deceit" | Stephen Mlinarcik | The Campaign |
| 2012 | "The Cynic" | Stephen Mlinarcik | The Campaign |
| 2013 | "We The Machines" | Stephen Mlinarcik | The Campaign |
| 2014 | "FIRE!" | Josiah Moore | Blackout |
| 2016 | "Reboot" | Josiah Moore | Gaia |
Concert tours
- Gaia EP Release Tour – Featuring Affiance, XXI, It Lives it Breathes, Versus, Set to Stun
- The Chapter & Curse Tour – With Ice Nine Kills, Affiance, More to Monroe, Come & Rest
- Texas Independent Fest
- Road to Riff City – Including Affiance, Phinehas, Kingdom of Giants
- Road to Knotfest – Co-headlined by Miss May I & Affiance
- Blackout Release Show – Shared by Affiance & Phinehas
- Warped Tour 2014 – Line-up included Enter Shikari, State Champs, Real Friends, The Ghost Inside, Every Time I Die, Falling in Reverse, Born of Osiris, Parkway Drive, Chelsea Grin, Motionless in White, Stray from the Path, Beartooth, Neck Deep, Ice Nine Kills
- Summer 2014 Tour – Featuring Affiance alongside Black Tide, Threat Signal, Hatchet
- The Eat Your Heart Out Tour – With I The Breather, Affiance, My Ticket Home, Gift Giver, Come the Dawn
- Spring 2014 Tour – Presented by Affiance with Close Your Eyes and My Enemies & I
- Fall 2013 Tour – Supported by Protest the Hero, Architects, Affiance, The Kindred
- Disarm the Descent Tour – Headlined by Killswitch Engage with Miss May I, Darkest Hour, The Word Alive and Affiance
- UK 2013 Tour – Featuring Dance Gavin Dance, Closure in Moscow, Affiance and Violet
- 2013 Mini Tour – Joint tour of Affiance and Glamour of the Kill
- Western Warriors Tour – Showcased Affiance with Fit For A King and Kingdom of Giants
- The Warriors Tour – Included Affiance along with Serianna, Us From Outside and Sirens & Sailors
- Empty Hands & Heavy Hearts Tour – With The Color Morale, Affiance, Like Moths to Flames and Counterparts
- The Factour X Tour – Featuring Everyone Dies in Utah, Affiance, Sirens & Sailors and Deception of a Ghost
- 2012 Co-Headliner Tour – Shared by Affiance alongside Modern Day Escape, Deception of a Ghost and Picture Me Broken
- Lochness Monstour – Presented No Bragging Rights, Across the Sun and Affiance
- Too Cool for School Tour – Included Blind Witness, Stray from the Path, Vanna, Liferuiner and Affiance
- Summer 2010 Tour – Headlined by This or the Apocalypse with support from Affiance, Last Chance to Reason and Deception of A Ghost