AFI- Silver Bleeds The Black Sun…
AFI could have played it safe on this record, like some bands of the same genre have done, to bring back old fans, celebrate nostalgia, and give their fanbase “comfort food” in a time of uncertainty and tension. AFI chose to do the exact opposite and challenge the listener as they have many times before on previous albums.
The record begins with “The Bird of Prey” which starts with drums by drummer Adam Carson I can only explain as tribal sounding, with singer Davey Havok chanting over acoustic strums in a delivery that sounds influenced by Michael Gira of Swans fame. Musically, think drums from The Cure Pornography-era with modern production, with “Ziggy Stardust”-esque strums from guitarist Jade Puget. They have never shied away from wearing their influences on their sleeve, and this opener from the band keeps that same trend going. In the chorus Davey sings about “a drop of poison at a time” over heavy synths. There are also themes of time, that seem to hint at mortality as well.
The lead single “Behind the Clock” took a lot of people by surprise. It did not surprise because of the influences heard in the song, but more by the fact that they had finally made the full transition into a post-punk sound. It seems like something AFI has been building to for quite a while. The guitars swirl through the song reminiscent of early U2 songs like “Bullet The Blue Sky”. There is a driving bass from bassist Hunter Burgan, while the lyrics reflect on feeling like certain David Lynch characters. It really sets a mood, that I believe is perfectly represented in the music video. If you haven’t seen it, I recommend it, and consider it vital to truly realizing their vision on this song.
After the brilliant lead single, it leads perfectly into their next single “Holy Visions” which starts with a bassline that’s very heavy in the mix, which instantly grabs your attention. The guitars spiral with heavy effects while Davey builds from a narrative led delivery in the verses into his theatrical singing in the chorus. The transitions to the chorus are perfectly executed with Adam playing a drum fill I imagine will sound massive live. Jade has a short but effective guitar solo that leads flawlessly into the final chorus.
“Blasphemy and Excess” explores a guitar sound that might be the most unique thing Jade has ever put to record in the verses, while Hunter goes all over his fretboard on the bass Davey sings “here is blasphemy” with the following line changing every time he sings it in the first chorus. The drums again are a major standout, not only transitioning pieces of the song, but ending with booming hits.
“Spear of Truth” has some engaging spoken word in the verses, speaking of eerie scenarios like slow deaths, before singing “truth is a spear” in the chorus. In the bridge Davey exclaims “this world is sick, I’m unwell!” over what sounds like whistling in the same section. The song itself is extremely anthemic, especially in the chorus, and feels like it was made for large rooms, where Davey’s words can echo off the walls. I hope it’s one that makes their setlist when I see them in October.
“Ash Speck in a Green Eye” has the fastest tempo of the songs to this point, and has a lead guitar and synth part that lead to the first verse, where Davey goes between singing and whispered vocals, with massive reverb leading to a huge chorus. I believe this song will be a fan favorite, and could work well as a potential future single for the band.
The next song “VOIDWARD, I BEND BACK” is as imaginative as the song title implies. Davey sings the word voidward as a lead in to many statements that create fascinating imagery. The song also has some spoken word buried in the mix in the bridge, but still clear enough to make out. It’s another intentional, creative play with the mixing that is experimented with throughout the record.
“Marguerite” has one of my favorite guitar parts from Jade on the record with a very memorable lead that plays through the chorus and great leads in parts of the verses as well. There’s an echo effect that Davey and Jade use simultaneously in the bridge that creates a beautiful, defined separation from it and the direction into the final chorus.
Run For Cover Records were sending teasers for new AFI with the lyrics “the world has its plans, and I have another” which appear in my personal highlight on the record “A World Unmade” In the penultimate track Davey almost speaks in a low voice for the verses, over heavy synths. It’s a song I get lost in, and I feel like I’ve been sent to another decade during it. The last minute evolves into an electronic section that fans of Blaqk Audio will appreciate in its brief moment.
The closer “Nooneunderground” will take a lot of people by surprise. It begins with a slow build before a rapid Hunter bassline begins the song. The drums and vocals come in before the guitar, all matched with the same urgency. It sounds like AFI making a throwback track with their modern day influenced sounds and production. I think it’s a perfect closer to make AFI fans new and old satisfied that the band is truly capable of fitting any sound, into any record.
Silver Bleeds The Black Sun… explores elements the band has never tried before, while still sounding like an AFI record. They have always pushed themselves as a band since their beginning. Decades into their career, they are still bringing new ideas to the studio. Whether this record is for you or not will be determined over the next couple of months, but one thing you cannot deny is the band is constantly evolving their sound and challenging their listeners. They’ve made it clear that they have no plans to play it safe at any point in their career, and I’m so excited to see what their next decade sounds like after this brilliant album, that gets better every time through.
9/10
AFI – Silver Bleeds The Black Sun…
Release Date: 10/3/2025
Tracklisting:
- The Bird of Prey
- Behind the Clock
- Holy Visions
- Blasphemy and Excess
- Spear of Truth
- Ash Speck in a Green Eye
- VOIDWARD, I BEND BACK
- Marguerite
- A World Unmade
- Nooneunderground
The Scope of 