Head to the AP Store to choose up AFI’s twenty fifth anniversary version of Black Sails In The Sundown, restricted to 500 copies.
Based on Davey Havok himself, “Black Sails positively set the tone of what AFI is.” And he’s not unsuitable. Initially a hardcore outfit, the group’s lineup and sound felt a number of shifts from their 1991 formation to 1999, when the LP was launched. Black Sails got here out, and instantly was a sign that AFI was taking a flip — pushing boundaries of any preconceived style and elegance, showcasing evocative lyricism, and making music way more melodic than earlier than. That second would come to be a cornerstone for AFI’s profession — which might solely lean additional into the uncooked, affective vocals and charged, but melancholic lyricism that Black Sails gave us our first style of.
Again in ’99 upon launch, Various Press gave the album 4.5/5 stars, heralding the brand new album as, “their first epic. . . . With longer, deeper, richer, extra complicated compositions than they’ve ever tried earlier than, Black Sails tackles the whole lot from brooding hardcore . . . to shimmering balladry.” And at this time, AP stands by that evaluate. Black Sails was a turning level for the band — they have been gaining traction, garnering a wider viewers — mirrored by newfound industrial success, which might make them turn out to be the choice figureheads they’re at this time.
Learn extra: AFI mirror on creating their breakthrough hit “Woman’s Not Gray” 20 years later
In celebration of its twenty fifth anniversary, Havok expressed, “Black Sails will at all times be very pricey to me. It represents probably the most profound creative turning level of the band. With this file got here Hunter’s permanence and Jade’s arrival. It’s the inchoate definition of what AFI would turn out to be and is at this time.” Nodding to the repress’ never-before-released bonus observe, Havok continues, “‘Weight of Phrases’ is one in all my favorites from the session. On this version, it might be heard for the primary time.”
Additionally on the anniversary urgent — alongside beloved songs like “Malleus Maleficarum” and “Porphyria” — are three bonus tracks, together with the prized, “Who Knew?,” initially issued as a Japanese B-side — and the vinyl-exclusive, “Decrease It.”
Order your limited-edition Revolver variant in “Oriole” now. All variants shall be accessible July 19.
AFI additionally embark on an in depth North American tour with Thirty Seconds to Mars this summer time.
