|
RockinTrivia Test your knowledge |
RockinForum Add your comments |
|
|||||||||||
| |
|||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||
AFI
Roaring out of the East Bay area AFI (A Fire Inside) released their debut in '95, "Answer That And Stay Fashionable" on Wingnut Records (re-released on Nitro in '97). An extensive tour followed before AFI signed with Nitro Records in '96. The hardcore Punk "Very Proud Of Ya" soon dropped.
Despite the touring, recording and fan devotion, it was a track from AFI's '99 EP "All Hallows" that really helped move the group along. "Totalimmortal" was covered by Offspring (AFI had toured with Offspring, among others) for the soundtrack of the Jim Carey vehicle "Me, Myself & Irene." With all due respect to Offspring, they do a good job, but the original is more intense and driving.
Formed in the early '90s, around the vocalist Davey Havok and drummer Adam Carson, AFI started out as high school skaters making "noise in the garage" but managed, as so rarely happens, to coalescence into something worth listening to. As with any group that wants to succeed, weak links, bad attitudes and those suffering "philosophical differences" must depart. But unlike most groups, AFI handled a large part of this process after they started recording, experiencing personnel changes prior to their third album. Bassist Hunter Burgan entered the picture on "Shut Your Eyes And Open Your Mouth" in '97.
Guitarist Jude Puget arrived for the '99 release, "Black Sails At Sunset." Puget also became the group's primary music writer while Havok handled the lyrics. "Art of Drowning" landed in '00 and further enhanced the group's reputation. As a successful indie band, AFI eventually attracted major label attention, namely Dreamworks Records, who released "Sing The Sorrow" in '03. End result? The group's reach extended beyond Metal rags and they actually got written up in Rolling Stone! Mainstream - mass media.
AFI returned in '06 with their 7th full-length effort, "Decemberundgeround."
"Carcinogen Crush" was available as a download for the Xbox 360 version of Guitar Hero III. The song was available through a code that was obtained by purchasing the game's soundtrack.
AFI also launched a YouTube contest where fans sent in 2-minute videos of themselves describing who they are and what inspires them. A few dozen videos were submitted and the winners got to meet the band and sing on a track.
After what Havok claimed was two years of writing and recording AFI issued their eighth album. "Crash Love" was recorded at The Art of Ears studios, where the band had worked previously.
Concept albums or Rock operas usually die a horrible death-deservedly so. And while Havok is clear that "Crash Love" is neither, the album's recurring theme is 'love gone mad'. But it's not the tone or premise that makes "Crash Love" work, but rather the rhythm section. Not often are the bassist and drummer singled out for exemplary efforts but Burgan and Carson are excellent propelling tracks with precision and power. The rhythm section often gets overlooked so give them their due.
Burgan's pulsating bass leads "End Transmission" while Carson furiously drives "Veronica Sawyer Smokes," one of the album's premiere tracks. Havok and Puget are in there too.
The good thing is the lyrics add drama, and with the exception of "Torch Song"," which is just that, don't get in the way. "Believe Thieves" owns a killer chorus and AFI have another arena ready track in "I Am Trying Very Hard To Be Here." It's a big show number. " Down a couple more notches, "Fainting Spells" is the obligatory acoustic ballad. But AFI does best when they just uncork it.
A blend of Goth and Punk rolls through "Decemberundergound," a potent record that, unfortunately, gets off to a slow start. The chant-like "Prelude 12/21" and the screaming "Kill Caustic" don't ignite. But things pick up noticeably with "Miss Murder," an almost cheery Punk-pop song with suicidal references. "Summer Shudder" features Havok's growling vocals and Puget's spitting guitar (sometimes they switch the spitting and growling). The '80s Wave-Rock influenced "Love Like Winter" and the intimate "37mm" sound like Depche Mode doing something interesting (if such a thing is possible). "The Missing Frame" provides some majestic moments while Burgan's bass steps out on "The Killing Lights." "Kiss And Control" sounds like a Chili Peppers ballad before going Metal while album closer "She Said Endlessly" is a slow track done in the heavy A.F.I. mode.
AFI's Dreamworks debut, "Sing The Sorrow" with speed Rocker "Bleed Black" and "Dancing Through Sunday" is excellent but the group has done better. "Black Sails At Sunset" amply demonstrates AFI's hardcore skills. "Porphyria Cutanea Tarda," "Exsanguination," "Malleus Maleficarm" and "Narrative Of Soul Against Soul" are reckless blends of high energy vocals and pulsating guitar. "The Art Of Drowning" and the EP "All Hallows" with "Totalimmortal" and the scalding "Boy Who Destroyed The World" are also recommended.
|
