They say things come in threes, sometimes bad, but mostly good, and that certainly seems to be the case with AFI as far as good things go.
First, we got word of a Fall Tour, which will be kicking off in just a few days at the Four Chord Music Festival in Washington, PA and wrapping up on November 5th at the Soma in San Diego states side before a standalone show at Corona Capital 2025 in Mexico. Will there be a second leg? Who knows, but as far as this one goes, I immediately booked my ticket to catch the 3rd show of the tour at The Fillmore in Detroit, MI on October 2nd. I’ve not missed an AFI tour since Decemberunderground in 2006, and even though they aren’t coming through Vegas, I don’t plan on starting to miss them now.
Second, their 12th major release (not counting things like the All Hallows EP or I Heard A Voice), Silver Bleeds the Black Sun… was announced, with its release date being October 3rd. That’s right Chicago, you lucky folks get to see AFI on the album release date, so you know you’re in for a fantastic show.
That leads me to the third and most exciting part of the AFI news; two new singles that I have not stopped listening to since their release. When I tell you that I ran to my television to find the video for the first single “Behind the Clock” last month, I am not kidding. From the moment it began, I breathed a sigh of relief to finally hear the band embrace their post-punk/goth influences.
“Behind the Clock”, a seemingly love letter to the late, great David Lynch referencing characters such as Betty Elms (Mulholland Drive) and Susan Blue (On High in Blue Tomorrows) as well as the line “Thiller killer been revealed, she’s inside you, he’s inside me”, which reads to me as a nod to the characters Laura Palmer and Bob in Twin Peaks. The song itself oozes a feel of Bauhaus meets The Cure, both large influences on vocalist Davey Havok.
A few days ago, we were blessed (pun intended) with the second single for Silver Bleeds the Black Sun… “Holy Visions”. Although much dancier than the first, it continues to explore the post-punk goth vibe with heavy similarities to Floodland by The Sisters of Mercy mixed in with early U2 and The Smiths. Now this one… I cannot wait to dance along to on October 3rd.
I can’t think of a single bad show that I’ve seen the band do, and as much as I love the previous records (from the first 3 hardcore punk to the darker/emo records that the early to mid 2000s brought), especially the Art of Drowning/Sing the Sorrow eras, I have a deep feeling that Silver Bleeds the Black Sun… will quickly rise to the top of my favorite albums by AFI. I’ve been following the band since 1999’s Black Sails in the Sunset, and I am really excited for this era.
That being said, if you see me in Detroit screaming and dancing uncontrollably, mind ya business or come dance with me! And check back for a full album review once it drops.
There are still a good amount of tickets available, with the exception of the Columbus, Ohio show on October 4th and San Diego on November 5th. You can find ticket and tour information on the band’s official website here.
Previous AFI Coverage:
Burials Marks AFI’s Return
The Blood Tour Review
Get Dark Review
Bodies Review
PHOTO CREDIT: All photos ©Run For Cover Records, AFI, and Original Artist/Photographer used for promotion ONLY