Run For Cover Records/Civilians
October 3
AFI shouldn’t need an introduction. They have certainly paid their ‘dues’ in the music scene. Proving to be chameleons, they have bounced through genres successfully over their 30-year music career, ranging from hardcore to emo and everything in between. We are now entering into a new era, which I’m going to take it upon myself to label Semi-Synthwave Ethereal 80s, because why? AFI are in a league of their own – that’s why, and so is their 12th album, Silver Bleeds the Black Sun.
Being an emo kid at heart, Decemberunderground was my jam in the 2000s. I have to give thanks to my older sister Jess, who introduced me to AFI so I could swiftly steal her CD, (standard), and upload to my iPod only to repeat over & over again until I knew every song back to front. That album still stands up today, almost 20 years later. Good music always stands the test of time.
Which brings me to 2025, where I’m downright lucky to review albums through HEAVY Mag and have an email sitting there about AFI’s new album. What version of AFI will this be? Let’s find out…
The Bird of Prey: The opener for Silver Bleeds the Black Sun… starts with almost primal drumming, open strumming guitar and Davey’s vocals coming through. As soon as I hit play on this track, I was instantly dialled in. What direction will this album go in? Where did I just get transported to? A nice introduction into what AFI 12.0 is offering up, and I’ve already punched my ticket for the ride.
Behind The Clock: The drive behind this song is intoxicating. I’m always down for a fat rhythm section greeting me, enticing me to join the party. You can’t help but move with the flow of this song – air drums are non-negotiable at this stage. The first 30 seconds are already telling me that this song is going to be a favourite for me, and this turns out to be a certified fact in time.
Holy Visions: Holy Visions… more like holy $h!t! I was not ready. Straight up sexy, synthy and another pleasant surprise. This warrants another quick glance at my phone to triple-check that this is indeed AFI entering their ‘80’s ethereal era’. Hunter Burgan (bass) is locked into Adam Carson’s drum beat, and honestly, I hope they throw away the key. Take the time and go watch the film clip and soak in their complete vision, I’ll make your life easy and put a link below. One YouTube user commented, ‘Davey looks like he got kidnapped by Blue Oyster Cult and sounds like he got rescued by an early 80s goth cult’, and honestly, they couldn’t be more right if they tried. Absolutely wild.
Ash Speck in a Green Eye: Boom, baby! This is a similar feel to Holy Visions, and I’m eating it up. The song is catchy, upbeat and again, the band is super tight. This is the kind of song you can picture yourself blasting in your car, setting yourself up for a great day.
VOIDWARD, I BEND BACK: For the first time, there is a sense of familiarit,y and my brain instantly goes ‘Oh, this is AFI 100%’. Not in a bad way, more complimenting the journey this album has been for me. Someone could have passed this album off to me as a ‘new’ band and I’d have been none the wiser.
A World Unmade: I find this song very calming and easy to listen to. Simultaneously, I can picture this in a badass Stranger Things scene. My mind wanders (guilty), although this is what good music is meant to do; evoke thought and feeling.
Nooneunderground: I’m assuming this is a nod back to Decemberunderground in some way. I’ll admit I’m not smart enough to work out why other than the name of course. Anyway, that bass is back. The vocals are big, and AFI are telling everyone point-blank, ‘This is how you close a f%$king album out, folks’.
Each song is placed thoughtfully and tells a story. Don’t do yourself a disservice by half arse listening to it. Take the time to turn it up LOUD and play it ‘cover to cover’. The production is pristine, and hearing the songs full tilt through my headphones transported me into another world, and I hope it does the same for you. AFI as a whole step up and deliver the goods with these perfectly placed moments on the album. No one is fighting for the spotlight; merely accompanying each other’s instruments and talent, working towards the same goal… elevating the music.
I always listen to new music with an open mind. This time, armed with only an inkling of the direction this album could potentially go from recent interviews, I can confidently say Silver Bleeds the Black Sun really surprised me in the best kind of way. There is space for bands to morph and have a taste of all kinds of genres without being crucified for being ‘Add keyboard warrior argument of the day here’…. Silver Bleeds the Black Sun is going to leave you feeling moved and take you on a masterclass of music exploration. See you on the other side.
Enjoy, legends!
