AFI - Finally back in the UK.

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Something different from AFI

AFI **** it's been a long time since A Fire Inside have been in London; I think it's over nine years since they supported the Deftones at Alexandra Palace, and there have been a lot of changes regarding the sound of the band's music since then. They have changed from the Horror Punk / Hardcore of the early years and even the Post-Punk / Emo sound of years after. They now pay homage to the Goth era, paying homage to bands like Bauhaus, The Birthday Party, and Specimen mixed up with the sound of newer bands such as The Horrors or Neils Children. Also the look of the band has changed a lot too, with singer Davey Havok having huge frizzy hair and a moustache most men would die for. 

I have to say took me a few minutes to let in the new sound of the band, I love all the bands the new music sounds like. But I was just a little shocked, it was being played by AFI. But after listening to the album 'Silver Bleeds the Black', I was starting to accept it. Nothing seems to stay the same, and some changes are good... and some not so good. I still can't make up my mind on this one, I have to say I will miss the old sound of the band. But there is a new lot of music to enjoy, just maybe enjoy in a different way. And the fact they have mixed up the setlist, with songs from every era of the band for me is a great thing.

Even though they look different, their stage presence is still the same. You get the kicks in the air, you get the leaning over... You get Davey's distinctive voice that we have all loved over the years we have grown up in that they have been around. This is shown best on opening numbers 'Strength through Wounding' and 'Girl's not Grey'. I have to say I don't like that Davey has blackened out his beautiful Nightmare before Christmas tattoos that were definitive in the early years of the band, and now they are just a mass of black. 

It is nice that you get a little sound of the 'Decemberunderground', with 'Love like Winter', 'Killing Lights' and the megahit 'Miss Murder'. I know this is their most commercial album. But I have to say I always have a place in my record collection for this album. When you are talking about the new album, you have to talk about 'Holy Visions', which is one of the first songs I heard off it. Ok it's nothing new; it's a catchy Goth late 80s / early 90s sounding song. But it's really enjoyable and nice to play on the iPod.

Other songs you get to hear from the new album are 'Behind the Clock' and 'Marquerite', which is also equally as good. You also hear great versions of classic songs 'Bleed Black' off 'Sing the Sorrow' and 'I hope you Suffer', which is a newer song but already a classic, which are so great to see live again. Ending the set with one of the songs that most got the band noticed, 'Days of the Pheonix'.

The encore is what you would want from an encore; it is two of the band's most classic tracks, 'Silver and Cold' and 'Miss Murder'. In recent interviews, Davey Havok said 'Miss Murder' was him selling out, but as a fan I have to say the song still makes me happy. So I am glad they Sold Out! a little, and I don't normally say that. And 'Silver and Cold' is just an outstanding anthem that no one could ever forget.

Review and Photos by Dan Devour 

AFI - Setlist
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Strength through Wounding
Girl's not Grey
Love like Winter
Holy Visions
A Single Second
The Killing Lights
Behind the Clock
The Boy who destroyed the World
17 Crimes
Beautiful Thieves
Marguerite
Bleed Black
I Hope You Suffer
Nooneunderground
The Days of the Phoenix
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Silver and Cold
Miss Murder

Check Out! the Video for 'Holy Visions' Below...