The evening started with the Americans of Wage War. Fairly new on the metalcore scene, they are facing the hardest task of the night - convincing a crowd who, for the vast majority, had never really heard of them. They are very straightforward in what they offer, Wage War. Their heavy sound is aggressive and very in your face - and it works its magic in a heartbeat. The screams and melodies are punchy, precise and technically impeccable, they are of the effective kind, they leave a mark on their audience. , for one, am convinced bt the quintet and will make sure to give their debut Blueprints a proper listen. Here's to hoping they'll come back on our shores very soon and make a long term mark on our little world.

Second up are another American band, Stray From The Path. I have mentioned it time and time again, I am a massive fan, have been for quite a while and am 100% on board with their message and what they stand for. Lead by the über-energetic Drew York, who imposes himself as natural spokesperson for a generation who wants change and wants it now, the band rises to the challenge of playing in a big venue with an ease that is simply impressive. Facing over a thousand people, they, of course, use their spot to call out the predators of our scene. The introduction to 2015's D.I.E.P.I.G in the form of Drew speaking up against Front Porch Step and Ian Watkins doesn't get enough cheering to my liking, but it is reassuring to know it was there to start with. As Architects' frontman Sam Carter graces the stage to offer a hand on First World Problem Child, I realise that one of my biggest wishes for this scene is that Stray From The Path get the chance to follow in the footsteps of the Brightonians and become a movement, too. They have the lyrical content, the great live performances and the message - the rest is on us, now.

(By the way, as a woman who has heard some utter bullshit from entitled band members, knows of other girls who have been through that as well, and has read on way too many band guys being assholes to girls, I feel better and safer knowing Stray From The Path are standing up for us girls. I suppose a thank you for helping us making this scene (and world) a safer space is in order) 

Different band, different continent - the Australians of Northlane are here to take the stage. I have seen them once before, supporting Architects alongside Stray From The Path, and I had been so mesmerised by the Americans that I had forgotten about them. It was in 2014, though, and Northlane are a whole new band, now - they have changed vocalists, have welcomed Marcus Bridge in their ranks, aren't newbies anymore, and songs like Rot or Quantum Flux are established classics. This time, their energy and their sounds wins me over in a heartbeat. Marcus' energy, whether it is vocal or physical, is nothing short of impressive, and the band is technically reaching perfection. They have a very strong following among the London crowd, and it's easy to hear lyrics being echoed amongst the audience. Changing vocalists is never an easy task for a band, and from what I can see, the transition from Adrian Fitipaldes to Marcus Bridge seems to have been very smooth. Northlane have succeeded where a lot of bands have failed and seem to be going from strength to strength. Hopefully, a tour full of solid, convincing performances such as the one they delivered at the Roundhouse should consolidate them as serious outsiders for the throne of kings of Australian metalcore.

There is not only one throne, in Australia, but two. If, in Europe, the clear leaders are Parkway Drive, down under, the crowd seems evenly shared with The Amity Affliction. Both bands are absolute titans and it doesn't look they have a whole lot to prove anymore.

The Amity Affliction's rise in Europe is constant and steady - just like them, really. They are one of these bands who always put out great albums (the latest one, 2016's This Could Be Heartbreak, is a beauty), produces equally great performances and strike as a group of humans who seem true to themselves. I, myself, have a lot of admiration for frontman Joel Birch - the way he sees the world and constantly works on breaking the stigma related to mental health issues has a lot of impact on me.

The Roundhouse date is a massive challenge for the Australians - on top of being their biggest London headliner to date, drummer Ryan Burt has exited the tour because of mental health issues. It's safe to say that The Amity Affliction's performance hasn't suffered from this impromptu line-up change, and replacement drummer Casey McHale does an excellent job of making every song sound as strong and massive as it should be.

Opener I Bring the Weather with Me sets the tone, and its easy chorus, carried by the always impeccable Ahren Stringer, is sung along as one by the Londoners. However, the best part of the setlist is still composed of tracks extracted from 2014's stunning Let the Ocean Take Me. Indeed, there is no disloding the heartbreaking The Weigh Down, the iconic Death's Hand or the almost groovy Never Alone of any evening you're going to spend with Amity. Open Letter is a success as well, and pleases old school The Amity Affliction fans. The mixture of the fans' reaction with the band's performance proves that The Amity Affliction could easily make their way to the top of the pile and reign unchallenged on the metalcore world.

I want them to.

They're not there just yet.

As enthusiastic as the crowd is, just a look around the Roundhouse shows that the room is far from being sold out. The band is obviously not to blame for this. I still wonder why the evening has fallen a little short - the tickets were fairly priced and the line-up was one of the most appealing of the season, if not the year. Maybe it is down to the fact that several other bands are playing London that evening. Maybe the venue was simply a little too big - it feels so when the confetti explode but the sense of triumph that usually accompanies them is nowhere to be found.

The performance is still excellent, though, and the encore, composed of classic tracks Pittsburgh and Don't Lean on Me, as well as surprising closer This Could Be Heartbreak, gets the enthusiasm and reaction it deserves. Closing with a song that isn't solidly established in the minds of the audience is the proof that The Amity Affliction isn't afraid of taking risks, and, in time, there's no doubt they will pay off.

Overall, it has been a very solid evening of live music, and every band has produced a performance to be proud of. It is simply a shame there weren't more people to see it.

(Also sending all my best wishes to Ryan Burt)