Artist: AFI
Title: Silver Bleeds The Black Sun…
Genre: Indie Rock
Release Date: 3rd October 2025
Label: Run For Cover Records
Album Review
AFI is a band that loves to reinvent themselves, changing styles entirely and surprising their fans. When they started out in 1995 with their debut album ‘Answer That And Stay Fashionable’, AFI has been a Punk band, playing fast and loud music. In 2003 with ‘Sing The Sorrow’ their style changed bit towards melancholy and romanticizing Rock music. And now, they begin a new chapter with ‘Silver Bleeds The Black Sun’, changing their style towards 80s Goth Punk.
And successfully so. AFI’s singer DAVEY HAVOC has always known for going all in, meaning he doesn’t only change the musical style, but also his appearances accordingly. And this new chapter is one, that might awaken nostalgia within you, or a curiosity for that certain style of music. So, anyway, this is the twelfth full length studio album by the Californians of AFI, coming with ten songs, lasting for a little over thirty minutes.
The album begins with strumming on an acoustic guitar. ‘The Bird of Prey’ comes at you strong, marching forward with a hint of Mariachi style and hall on the vocals, setting the mood for what is yet to come, while creating images in your head. ‘Behind the Clock’ begins the for AFI new 80s goth rock sound, strongly reminding of SISTERS OF MERCY. ‘Holy Visions’ continues this new chapter and style, perfecting it and pulling you along from first to last.
‘Blasphemy & Excess’ comes with lyrics that you challenge you to not only pay good attention to, but also think about it. Although, that is something I could say about almost every AFI song, as they all have a deeper meaning. ‘Spear of Truth’ sounds like it is marching towards a duel. ‘Ash Speck in a Green Eye’, on the other hand, is an extremely catchy and thriving song, which is getting you going along for sure. ‘VOIDWARD, I BEND BACK’ is another one that gets you thinking. Alongside an almost hypnotizing rhythm, this one puts you in a trance-like state.
‘Marguerite’ continues with a similar style, but a chorus that gets stuck in your head and definitely catches your attention. ‘A World Unmade’ brings in some gloom, with a much slower pace. This one is guiding you further and further into the depth of your mind. ‘Nooneunderground’ leads you out of the labyrinth your thoughts have created, pauses for a brief moment and then brings back the punk style, AFI had in the 90s and early 00s, before the album ends.
‘Silver Bleeds The Black Sun’ is a very theatrical album, creating images in your head and leaving room for your mind to get lost in. DAVEY HAVOC’s voice sounds like it is strongly inspired by JOY DIVSION, SISTERS OF MERCY and THE CURE. This album takes quite a few times listening through to be able to grasp it full. But once you do, it is absolutely brilliant. AFI is back with a new look and a new sound. Check it out, and be blown away by the brilliant artistry of AFI.
Tracklist
01. The Bird of Prey
02. Behind the Clock
03. Holy Visions
04. Blasphemy & Excess
05. Spear of Truth
06. Ash Speck in a Green Eye
07. VOIDWARD, I BEND BACK
08. Marguerite
09. A World Unmade
10. Nooneunderground
Line-up
Davey Havok – Lead Vocals
Adam Carson – Drums, Backing Vocals, Percussion
Hunter Burgan – Bass, Backing Vocals, Keyboards, Programming
Jade Puget – Guitars, Backing Vocals, Keyboards, Piano, Synthesizers, Programming
Website
https://afireinside.net
Cover Picture
Rating
Music: 10
Sound: 10
Total: 10 / 10
