The history of AFI can questionably be broken down into the stylistic shifts that the Californian group have made for over 30 years, even if they have divided fans. The melodic hardcore punk of their early years merged into the commercially successful emo-rock of ‘Sing the Sorrow’ and ‘Decemberunderground’. Fast-forward a decade, and their output since the mid-2010s has leaned more into gothic rock territory. 2021’s ‘Bodies’ introduced new wave elements, something they expand on in their latest offering, ‘Silver Bleeds the Black Sun…’
On paper, this twelfth record is painted as a band stepping out of their comfort zone, one that looks back to move forward. In execution, it’s a stylistic shift that isn’t as radical as intended, but perhaps that’s the point. Rather than chasing reinvention for its own sake, AFI have finally found confidence in their gothic instincts, creating their most cohesive statement in years by diving headfirst into the late ’70s and early ’80s post-punk and death rock that has always lurked beneath its surface.
The album’s atmosphere splits between two distinct but complementary textures: the sparse, sun-bleached acoustics of desert rock and the claustrophobic shadows of classic goth. Opening track ‘The Bird of Prey’ introduces this duality immediately, its cavernous production housing both cinematic synths and desert acoustic guitars that feel desiccated and hollow. This creates space for Davey Havok’s cryptic lyrics about time unwinding “like a serpent” and poison disguised as wine, an incantatory beginning that sets the tone for what follows. Later on, ‘Spear of Truth’ prospers from this same approach, with rich brass instrumentation and Adam Carson’s rumbling, tribal drums supporting Havok’s theatrical delivery. Yet it’s lyrically bleak, painting a lifeless world: “Black sun. Frozen sun. Dark world. Cold world. No boys. No girls. Dead sun. Frozen world.” The contrast between the song’s rhythmic pulse and its apocalyptic imagery creates genuine tension; beauty in service of horror.
Where ‘Silver Bleeds the Black Sun…’ distinguishes itself from recent AFI output is in its commitment to merging gothic atmosphere with gleaming ’80s new wave textures. Moments such as ‘Ash Speck in a Green Eye’ lyrically dwell in gothic romanticism, yet are complemented by gleaming instrumentation akin to The Cure and Echo & the Bunnymen. If anything, it’s AFI acknowledging that goth and new wave were always siblings, not opposites.
‘Holy Visions’ follows suit, with neon guitars dripping over the track as Havok’s distinct voice casts a dark cloud over mechanically working through rosary beads. The juxtaposition of sacred imagery with cheap ritual creates lyrical discomfort that matches the music’s shimmer. Furthermore, ‘Blasphemy & Excess’ creeps with trepidation as Havok proclaims, “here is blasphemy in no excess and here is success”.
‘Marguerite’ and ‘Voidward, I Bend Back’ take similar routes, the former exploring manipulation through Jade Puget’s playful new wave guitars and Hunter Burgan’s rigid bass lines. However, the latter proves that this approach doesn’t always hit the desired effect. Its bubbling bass line and ghostly synths feel hollow and forgettable, lacking the melodic hooks to justify its surrealist fever-dream lyrics.
Thematically, Havok has constructed AFI‘s bleakest lyrical landscape yet. Gone are the personal relationship narratives of their earlier work; instead, he’s crafted an air-tight world of civilizational collapse and identity dissolution. ‘A World Unmade’ drives home this narrative with brooding instrumentation as Havok admits he’s “the heliocentric flaw”. It positions him as the fundamental error at the centre of everything. This apocalyptic vision comes to a head on ‘NOONEUNDERGROUND’. Burgan’s throbbing bass leans into their punk origins with Havok’s rapid tongue showing some fire too. As sirens ring out in the background, the imagery becomes devastating: “Empty house. Empty home. The family isn’t there.”
Despite not being the bold reinvention some have made it out to be, ‘Silver Bleeds the Black Sun…’ feels like an organic progression for AFI. By utilising influences such as Echo & the Bunnymen, Sisters of Mercy, and Bauhaus, Havok and company confidently evolve without chasing stylistic shadows or trends. When it works, moments such as ‘Holy Visions’ and ‘Spear of Truth’ are memorable, yet are countered by filler offerings like ‘Voidward, I Bend Back’. Even at its weakest, though, you can admire the coherent approach AFI pull off. It’s not essential, but it’s their most assured work in years.
‘Silver Bleeds the Black Sun…’ by AFI is released on October 3rd on Run For Cover Records.
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