what a weird announcement. Matty isn’t a very popular person on this sort of website, but every time i’ve seen Memphis May Fire open for other bands, i’ve always come away from the show feeling like he did a really good job on vocals. he has a powerhouse voice, albeit quite different from Stephen’s. i think i would check out their live performance with Matty just out of curiosity. and regarding this not working out well, realistically i feel like the band name holds enough weight that they’d be able to continue playing support gigs on decent sized tours and getting on festivals… not sure about headliners tho where the band actually is going to dictate the majority of turnout.
Man, I’m totally bummed hearing this but I guess I get it…? At least I can accept it for what it is now. -I don’t mind Matty, but I’m definitely not going to be in line to see him with Anberlin -I really hope that Stephen’s final shows are near me, I want to make sure I see them for sure. -Sounds like the background music is potentially a new song? -Very excited to hear any new tunes from these dudes Really hard trying to decipher the bottom text
the bottom left says ADAPT OR DIE the middle has all their names the right … someone figured that out earlier I think.
I’ve known about this for awhile now… glad it’s finally out there. Pretty much Stephen is taking time off from touring to be more present in his daughter’s lives and his job. His daughters are getting older, and he wants to be home with them as much as possible before they grow up
I just hope he's doing vocals for all the recorded music. Can't imagine hearing Anberlin without Stephen.
Do not like Matty/MMF, but I totally understand wanting to be more present for your family, while also understanding these other guys want to tour. So if this is the only way the band can continue on, then I hope it’s a successful move for them. I won’t be going out of my way to see them with Matty though.
Comment section of the understand post, the band says basically there's no rules, they're going to mix things up live and studio
I’m going to keep an open mind, this band has done very little wrong as far as actual recorded music goes in my eyes, but I also can’t say I’m excited for the idea of Matty being a regular part of their recorded music either. But who knows, maybe he’ll actually fit really well.
just remember, the band mixed things up already on the more recent EP releases and the results have been fairly interesting. i have faith that good songwriters will continue to create good music, ya know?
I haven’t minded Matty on Yellowcard songs, so I will reserve judgement until the songs start being bad
I saw that comment, but I took that as it's possible they keep things mostly Stephen for the recorded songs.
Stephen's voice is Anberlin. Anberlin is Stephen's voice. Not to slight what the rest of the band brings to the table, and I'm sure they'll make something good, but having Matty sing and calling it Anberlin and attempting to slot it in as a new part of their catalogue... nah. (Not adapting very well over here)
I thought it was going to be Phil Sneed when I heard the high-pitched speaking voice and was sort of intrigued. But not Matty.
Sometimes I'll have it on Octane on SiriusXM in the car and they'll play some newer MMF singles. Some of the stuff on Octane is truly terrible, but I think those MMF songs I've heard are "enjoyable" at least in a passive listening capacity. Anberlin without Stephen for the most part in a live setting is a huge bummer, but if it means they carry on I'm good with it. I'd like to see them again, but that's only if they come to Birmingham which is 1 hour away. I won't even bother if they come to ATL which is 1.75 hours away and much more of a chore. (I looked it up and the songs were "Make Believe", "Somebody ", and "Blood & Water". They are songs built for an angsty 14 year old or a 41 year old dude who calls Disturbed death metal...... but they are catchy I guess.)