Live Review: AFI + TR/ST @ The Masquerade, Atlanta – October 17, 2025

Chris Collett
Oct 19
3 min read

Still Burning Bright in a New Era

AFI took over The Masquerade’s Heaven room on October 17 and turned it into something unforgettable. Touring in support of their new album Silver Bleeds the Black Sun, released October 3 through Run For Cover Records, the band proved that time has not dulled their intensity one bit. The room was packed wall to wall with fans who knew every lyric, and from the first chord it was clear that this was not going to be just another night on tour.

Davey Havok - AFI - Photo by Chris Collett

Opening the show was TR/ST, the electronic project of Canadian artist Robert Alfons, joined live by drummer Lia Braswell. Their set was soaked in moody light and fog, layering heavy synths and darkwave textures over Lia’s driving percussion. Songs like “Bulbform,” “Bicep,” and “Colossal” rolled through deep basslines and pulsing beats, pulling the crowd in closer with each track. It was hypnotic and cinematic, the kind of performance that built tension instead of burning it too early. By the time TR/ST walked off, the crowd was buzzing and ready for what was next.

When AFI finally hit the stage, the energy snapped like a wire. They opened with “Strength Through Wounding” and the floor instantly came alive. Davey Havok was a blur, pacing and locking eyes with fans in the front row. Jade Puget’sguitar tone cut through like glass, while Hunter Burgan and Adam Carson kept the rhythm section tight and thunderous. “Girls Not Grey” and “Love Like Winter” hit early and hard, pulling the whole crowd into one loud, unified voice.

The new songs fit right in. “Behind the Clock,” the lead single off Silver Bleeds the Black Sun, hit especially strong live. It was dark, heavy, and full of melody in all the right places. Older cuts like “Wester” and “17 Crimes” brought out cheers from longtime fans, while “End Transmission” and “Clove Smoke Catharsis” slowed the pace just enough to let everyone catch their breath.

Then came the moment that defined the night. During “I Hope You Suffer,” Havok stepped off the stage and literally stood on the crowd, balanced by dozens of outstretched hands as he sang the song’s final chorus. The entire room held him up, both physically and emotionally, while his voice cut through the chaos. It was a moment that summed up what makes AFI so special, the connection, the trust, and the energy that flows both ways between the band and their fans.

The band closed the main set with “Nooneunderground” and “6 to 8,” leaving the floor shaking before returning for an encore that hit every emotional note. “Leaving Song I,” “Days of the Phoenix,” and “Silver and Cold” wrapped the night perfectly, a mix of old and new that reminded everyone why AFI still means so much to so many.

It has been more than twenty years since AFI first made their mark, and they are still performing like they have everything to prove. This show at The Masquerade was proof that they are not chasing nostalgia. They are building something new, and it is still burning bright.