The successful efforts of a band who have long known how to play the game.

On October 3, 2025, AFI released their twelfth studio album, Silver Bleeds the Black Sun…, marking the beginning of a newer, bolder chapter for the band as they continue to evolve and develop a new and improved sound. In moving away from a comfortable space, the band has managed to reinvent and challenge their past albums. 

The album starts off with “The Bird of Prey,” which has banging drums and a new wave sound. The vocals on this one resonate a lot, but are still clear and easy to understand. The vocal melody is simple, but easy to follow. “Behind the Clock” has an echoey and electronic intro with a heavy bass line that is tinted with grit and texture. This track’s vocals are dark and hushed, giving the song a slightly sinister feel. “Holy Visions” really establishes the new wave sound of the album with its reverbed vocals and a lead guitar line reminiscent of A Flock of Seagulls. The guitar solo on this track is simple, but it certainly gets the ears to perk up and pay attention. “Blasphemy & Excess” features a melodic bass line that the rest of the instruments revolve around. This allows the bass to shine and to establish an easy, steady groove. “Spear of Truth” has a classic progressive rock feel. The vocals have an overflow of reverb that makes the lyrics hard to understand. “Ash Speck in a Green Eye” has low, whispered vocals backed by an intricate bass line, making this an intricate and enjoyable listen. Next is “VOIDWARD, I BEND BACKWARD,” which has the clearest mixing and production out of the whole album. Besides that, the track follows the sound of the rest of the album. “Marguerite” sounds similar to the rest of the album, but there is a fun harmony on the guitar line before the last chorus. “A World Unmade” begins with what can only be described as a church organ. The synths on this one are clunky, though, which makes the track awkward and heavy. The album concludes with “Nooneunderground,” which is a punk-like track. It has a very energized feel, which leaves the listener pumped rather than exhausted. 

Overall, Silver Bleeds the Black Sun… is a very straightforward listen. It blends components of new wave, rock and a touch of punk to create a different but consistent and coherent sound. While a number of the tracks sound similar to each other, that doesn’t make them bland. Each track is treated with a level of care and attention that only a band that has been working together for a long time can accomplish. Considering this is AFI’s twelfth album, this isn’t surprising. AFI has truly managed to capture just how they’ve evolved and expanded their style, making Silver Bleeds the Black Sun… a fun and intriguing listen for any audience that enjoys a new wave feel.