If you are an AFI fan then now is the time to forget all the speculation and actually sit down and enjoy the band’s new offering – their The Missing Man EP. This EP managed to create a stir before it was even released after the promos for it went viral as the poster seemed to suggest that Davey Havok had left the band and they were looking for a new lead singer. Let’s hope that little debacle doesn’t distract from the EP itself because what the band have managed to deliver here is five solid tracks that showcases AFI’s diversity all one album.
AFI have switched their sound around a few times over the years. From punk to hardcore to emo the band have been there and done that, but with The Missing Man EP it feels like their sound has evolved again… sometimes even mid song. Added to that is the fact that every track here is an absolute banger… there is no excess baggage at all.
The EP explodes to life with the fact-paced yet somehow smooth ‘Trash Bat.’ It’s catchiness will ensure that it becomes a crowd favourite straight away and despite its catchy lyrics it does not sound cheesy at all. AFI then return to their electronic influence with ‘Break Angels’ which also consists of some amazing vocals by Havok that turns it into a classic AFI track. The same can be said for ‘Get Dark’ which again has the faster pace but again delivers that traditional melodic vocal stylings that make AGI so special.
‘Back Into The Sun’ does slow down the pace of the album a little and captures that old-school Californian pink sound so well while the best track on the album is the title track – ‘The Missing Man’ – a track that really shows AFI’s creativity in all of its glory. While it is a slow track it is far from a ballad and sees the band mix in samples of female vocals and a cello added to their already amazing sound. This is one stunning track that not only shows that the band’s new sound is something to behold but also shows off the production skills of band member Jade Puget who is responsible for this little baby.
While AFI fans might be a little disappointed that this isn’t a feature album, although the band have promised one is coming soon, they should be over the moon at just how good this EP is. Five tracks that show AFI are still being experimental, but also five tracks with a one hundred per cent hit rate.
