Album Review : AFI – Silver Bleeds The Black Sun
- Chris Collett
- Oct 8
- 3 min read
With Silver Bleeds The Black Sun, AFI have delivered an album that feels fearless, focused, and deeply self-assured. This twelfth record is not a rehash of their past, nor a complete departure. Instead, it is the sound of a band that knows exactly who they are and what they want to say. Every track feels intentional, woven together with purpose and conviction.
The Sound of Confidence
From the opening moments, AFI show total control of their sonic world. The production feels sharp and immersive, pulling listeners into a space that is equal parts emotional and unsettling. This is not a record that tries to please everyone. It stands proudly in its own shadowy corner and invites you to sit with it.
Texture and Detail
Jade Puget’s guitar work drives the album with precision and texture. His riffs shift between elegance and aggression, while Hunter Burgan’s bass work holds everything together with pulse and poise. Adam Carson’s drumming provides power and depth, striking a perfect balance between control and intensity. Every hit feels deliberate and confident, giving the record its heartbeat. Every detail feels dialed in, a result of years of chemistry and mutual trust between the members.
Lyrics and Emotion
Davey Havok’s vocals are nothing short of commanding. His words carry both mystery and honesty, letting listeners find meaning in the spaces between. On songs like Holy Visions and Behind The Clock, he sounds both distant and immediate, offering lines that linger long after the music fades. The themes of reflection, transformation, and endurance run throughout, giving the album a sense of cohesion that never feels forced.
A Band at Full Strength
Rather than chase trends or nostalgia, AFI have created something that stands apart from time. The record feels cinematic and deliberate, a collection of moments that add up to something far larger. Fans of the band’s earlier punk roots will still find the urgency, but here it comes through maturity instead of chaos.
Highlights
Holy Visions – a haunting centerpiece that captures the emotional heart of the record.
Behind The Clock – builds tension beautifully, balancing melody and restraint.
The Bird of Prey – soaring and introspective, a showcase of the band’s depth.
Spear of Truth – heavy, rhythmic, and unrelenting in tone.
Tracklist – AFI: Silver Bleeds The Black Sun
The Bird of Prey
Behind the Clock
Holy Visions
Blasphemy & Excess
Spear of Truth
Ash Speck in a Green Eye
VOIDWARD, I BEND BACK
Marguerite
A World Unmade
Nooneunderground
AFI – Fall 2025 Tour (with TR/ST)
09/14 – Washington, PA – Four Chord Music Festival
09/30 – Madison, WI – The Sylvee
10/02 – Detroit, MI – The Fillmore Detroit
10/03 – Chicago, IL – Salt Shed
10/04 – Columbus, OH – The Bluestone
10/06 – Buffalo, NY – Buffalo RiverWorks
10/07 – Cleveland, OH – House of Blues Cleveland
10/09 – Washington, DC – The Anthem
10/10 – Boston, MA – Citizens House of Blues
10/12 – Wallingford, CT – Dome at Toyota Oakdale Theatre
10/14 – Philadelphia, PA – The Fillmore Philadelphia
10/15 – Brooklyn, NY – Brooklyn Paramount
10/17 – Atlanta, GA – The Masquerade (Heaven)
10/18 – Nashville, TN – Marathon Music Works
10/20 – Asheville, NC – The Orange Peel
10/21 – North Myrtle Beach, SC – House of Blues Myrtle Beach
10/23 – Orlando, FL – Hard Rock Live
10/24 – Fort Lauderdale, FL – War Memorial Auditorium
10/25 – Tampa, FL – The Ritz Ybor
10/28 – Dallas, TX – South Side Ballroom
10/29 – Austin, TX – ACL Live at Moody Theater
10/31 – Denver, CO – Fillmore Auditorium
11/02 – Tempe, AZ – Marquee Theatre
11/03 – Los Angeles, CA – Hollywood Palladium
11/05 – San Diego, CA – SOMA
Final Thoughts
Silver Bleeds The Black Sun is AFI’s most confident and complete work in years. It rewards patience, commands attention, and reaffirms why this band continues to matter. It is the sound of evolution without compromise and artistry without hesitation.
Verdict: 10/10, without question.
Website : https://afireinside.net
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