AFI - Black Sails In The Sunset (12 tracks) +Album Reviews +Used CD available for Swap

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Ben Dugan | Flying Monkey Killer | 02/04/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"You know what? In many ways "Black Sails in the Sunset" is probably the perfect AFI record. That's not to say that it's their best but whatever phase of AFI you like---the early hardcore stuff, the middle period goth punk stuff or the current arena ready stuff--- you can find something to like and admire on this album.

This was the first AFI record I heard when a friend played it for me back in the spring of 2000 and I immediatly knew I loved it as it blends two of my favourite types of music, eighties goth like the Cure and Joy Division, with hardcore, and does so perfectly. Although they would build on this template and improve it on their followup releases "All Hallows" and the nearly flawless "The Art of Drowning", "Black Sails" will always have a special place in my record collection.

Now, as one of the few earlier AFI fans who doesn't believe that they have recently sold out(rather they have been given the finincial means to expand on their influences, and this isn't as a bad thing as both "Sing the Sorrow" and it's followup "decemberunderground" are excellent records), I am not feeding you some purists nonesense when I tell you that if you are an AFI fan then you need "Black Sails". Where there earlier hardcore records were typical east bay hardcore, "Black Sails" builds on the template. The songs have more crashing dynamics than anything that came previous, while upping the melody and allowing Davey Havok room to write more insteresting lyrics and expand his vocal range. The songs all feature the same chant along choruses that have taken AFI to the top of the charts lately, only this time they're dellvered with a far more breakneck speed.

What's surprising to hear, or at least to me, how much sense the bands newer stuff sounds when you listen to "Black Sails". The playing is strong and the melodies are easily digestable without being easy and obvious. The production of the record at time can be a little same sounding, thought each song has it's own distinctive features and ebbs and flows that you know exactly what you're listening to every given second.

Again "Black Sails" is not the best AFI record in my opinion(that really has to be "Art of Drowning"), whatever you like about AFI is here on this record in spades. Crushing hardcore, melodic breakdowns, excellent lyrics and vocals and even the requisite power ballad("God Called in Sick Today", still one of the bands best songs), and for those reasons alone that should make this record an essential in every AFI fans collection.

That and every sing is pretty great. What more could you ask?"

My 2nd AFI purchase. Dark, hard, melodic, intense, profound

MaratsBathing | NY | 06/01/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"After picking up the All Hallows EP and pretty much becoming completely addicted to it, I decided that I definitely needed a full length AFI CD. So, I picked up Black Sails in the Sunset, popped it into my CD player and proceeded to be amazed. The album starts with a song/intro containing shouts of "Through our bleeding, we are one!" After the intro, the next two songs are really good fast punk/hardcore songs, similar to those found on the All Hallows EP. But after those, the album takes a different turn with the 4th track, Malleus Maleficarum. It's a slowed down, melodic track and really shows you that AFI isn't here to fool around. Track 6, Clove Smoke Catharsis was the one that really did it for me. This one song really showed me that AFI could do punk/hardcore, but wasn't going to be put under the often strict limitations. The end result is a combination between punk, metal, hardcore, and emo (don't worry, I hate emo too, AFI isn't an emo band) that is flat out amazing. This album has literally not left my CD player in about 3 weeks. It simply had all the music I want to listen to on one disc. The album NEVER gets boring. It's like a beautiful story, with each song a chapter, that you never want to end. After hearing this, I cannot wait to get their other studio efforts. I'll keep the reviews coming once I pick 'em up.If you're into punk/hardcore, or are just simply bored with music, pick up this record. You won't regret it."

AFI's Darkest Hour; Suffering

John Reines darknessbefallen | The Shadows | 10/23/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"
'Through our bleeding, we are one!'...

...so begins AFI's fourth, and controversially their best.

This is one emotionally upsetting album to listen to, let me tell you. But in a good way. It's like reliving someone else's nightmare of the pain, suffering, and horror that is everyday life.

This is Davey Havok at his darkest and most poetic edge. Just listen...

'When daylight forms blinding walls where do we go? Days, arid are scorching all. When daylight forms blinding, binding walls, where do we go? The darkness calls.'...

...and...

'We all begin to burn. Autumn's flame dances in my eyes. Set alight for all we've learned. My ashes falling. My skin is singed but it heals my heart and with growing pride I'll wear my scars.'...

...brilliant!

And that's not the end, but I can't fit every good lyrical quote in this review, because the WHOLE ALBUM is like this!

Is it AFI's best? In one way, but in my opinion, all AFI is good, for different reasons. This is like a gourmet steak dinner, but you don't always feel like a steak dinner. Too filling. That's where AFI's latter career comes into play.

See also AFI-The_Art_Of_Drowning, and AFI-Sing_The_Sorrow, lighter fare when you don't want to feel like ripping something's head off from listening to this disk.

PS- For people who like dark music in general, see The_Cure-Pornography. Also highly recommended."

AMAZING

pocketdemon | 09/12/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Though it might not be their best album, Black Sails in the Sunset is a dramatic improvement from AFI's previous release, both musically and lyrically. Overall it's not quite as melodic as The Art of Drowning or even All Hallows, but the raw energy alone makes up for it. This is a brilliant cd, but it is definately an aquired taste. Buy it, listen to it a few times, and pleeeease read the lyrics! They are dark, depressing, and slightly disturbing...but incredibly beautiful at the same time.

Strength Through Wounding is a great opener, gotta love the chanting. Malleus Maleficarum is one of my favorite AFI songs. It's more 'catchy' than a lot of the other tracks, but still has that hard Black Sails edge to it. Clove Smoke Catharsis is extremely beautiful. It's one of those songs that just makes you want to cry, like God Called in Sick Today, which is probably the best song on the album. It's amazing in every aspect. At a Glance is also a great song with a nice little guitar showcase at the end (yeah Jade!!) The Prayer Position is another favourite of mine. The hidden track is great too, maybe even better than some of the regular songs. Basically, the other songs are all perfect for blasting out of your car window. They're generally fast hardcore songs, but they're all great and unique...I'm just too lazy to write about each one. So, buy this and if you like it get The Art of Drowning, because it's the same kind of thing, only better. Actually, Black Sails was my favourite cd at one point until I started listening to The Art of Drowning obsessively (although some of the vocals in The Art of Drowning are kinda funky, and they're fine everywhere else). Yeah and get All Hallows, AFI EP, Sing the Sorrow, and old stuff if you want it, but it's not as good. Just make sure you read the lyrics because if you think that this is just mindless screaming you are wrong my friend, so very wrong."

"Do You Like What I'm Becoming?"

LeftManOut | TheCityThatNeverSleeps, FL | 07/01/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

""Do you like what I'm becoming?" - So said Davey Havok in "The Last Kiss", and so is the motto for this entire record. Coming off what was the band's heaviest effort to date ("Shut Your Mouth And Open Your Eyes"), "Black Sails In The Sunset" is more than just an experiment for the band. It is a complete evolution. I often find it entertaining how many fans are quick to jump on AFI now adays saying they have "sold-out" or "betrayed their roots", when in actuality this band has been evolving since their very first record. It's no secret this was the band's biggest jump in sound (mainly due to Jade becoming the primary writer behind the band), and in many ways it makes it the biggest stand out of AFI's catalogue.

Leading off with their standard "call to arms" intro, "Strength Through Wounding" is probably one of their most popular and recognizable songs. Sporting the line "Through our bleeding, we are one!" it's easy to see from the start a lot about the band has changed. Instantly jumping into the breakneck "Porphyria Cutanea Tarda", the record hits you hard and heavy right from the start. I have said it numerous times before, and I continue to say it to this day, "Black Sails In The Sunset" truly does a great job of exploring all angles of the band's sound, even though they were just finding their footing, seeing as how Jade had just joined the band officially. Some of the best material the band has ever written ("Malleus Maleficarum", "The Prayer Position" "The Last Kiss") can be found on the record. "God Called In Sick Today" in particular is probably AFI's most recognizable song among their fans (or at least was before "Sing The Sorrow"). No matter what song on this album you skip to, you're instantly going to find a winner. There's no filler, no weak points. This is an incredibly written and performed album. Period.

The band, musically, shows off all their talent. Adam can pound away on the drums at lightning speed (not to mention throw in great transitions and fills at any second), and yet it sounds like he's right at home during the slow, driving "God Called In Sick Today." Jade comes to be the sole focus of the album as his guitar playing is far more innovative and intricate then Mark's ever was (Although I'm still a huge fan of "Shut Your Mouth And Open Your Eyes"). He's able to create dark, gloomy atmospheres (hence the goth reference) and yet maintain an undeniable rock nature. Hunter's bass playing gets shown off quite a bit (although it always has been), and his solos are always welcomed and impressive. And finally Davey's voice pulls the whole package together. He can scream/yell when it's appropriate, but also sing great melodies over top of Jade's scorching riffs. His lyrics are also dark and cryptic, and the perfect compliment to the band's stark music.

"Black Sails In The Sunset" is in all rights the band's best full length. Although I like all their material, and am partial to a few other records in their discography as well, even I can put a vote in for it. If you're an AFI, this is basically of the most essential listening. No matter when you became a fan, I can't see anyone who likes the band not liking this album. It's just that good. It was my introduction to the band, and like many it has made a lasting impression on me. "In darkness together, we're bringing the light!""

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