Album Review

AFI – Burials

• 22nd Oct 2013

Few bands can inspire such feverish and rabid dedication from their fans as California’s premiere dark electro pop rockers AFI, coming from humble hardcore beginnings and building a global empire the hard way, with decades of touring and album releases. The raging argument over whether the band sold out when becoming more accessible on 2003 release ‘Sing The Sorrow’ was a fierce dividing line for the previously tightly knit fan base and Burials definitely continues in that tradition, probably AFI’s most commercial release to date.

Whilst the band have previously spoken out about the frustration of being saddled with the goth punk label there’s still plenty of darkness evident on Burials, albeit with a lot less of the stereotypical punk sound. Lead single ‘I Hope You Suffer’ is a world class example of cinematic pomp-rock peppered with sweeping synths that burst through the heavy percussion like bullet exit wounds, with Davey Havok’s vocals in particular sounding stronger and rounder than they ever have on previous releases. Their major 80’s influences The Cure and The Smiths are more evident than ever, especially on ‘A Deep Slow Panic’ which also carries a tinge of long-time rockabilly friends Tiger Army and some interesting uses of major scales and melodies that might surprise old fans.

Whatever your stance on the new material and sound, AFI have to be praised for pushing the boundaries of what can be classed as mainstream rock or punk and essentially returning their early brand of hardcore to its roots and influences in 80’s post-punk. On ’17 Crimes’ they show a newfound mastery of the single that’s rarely displayed on their album releases, with Havok’s poetic and profound lyricism still no doubt a driving force behind the devotion they inspire in fans. There are elements of the industrial electronica of guitarist Jade Puget and Havok’s side project Blaqk Audio, inspired by Nine Inch Nails and more recently Woodkid (who you might remember from the Assassin’s Creed III trailers), woven throughout Burials that make it an epic experience, underpinned by their trademark “whoah-oh” backing vocals and Adam Carson’s powerhouse drumming.

Something sadly lost somewhere along the wayside are Hunter Burgan’s dynamic and thrilling bass lines that ran amok over earlier releases and lent such urgency and fire to their material, with a much more restrained approach on the hipster stomp of ‘Heart Stops’, though whether this is deliberate pruning or just control learnt with maturity is up for debate.

As a major lifelong fan who has a signed birthday card from the band, is an official member of the ‘Despair Faction’ fan club and can remember the profound effect that AFI had on their teenage years, this reviewer enjoyed every second of Burials. Still a vitally intelligent and experimental force in the rock scene, it’s fantastic to see a band making music for their own enjoyment – with little regard for keeping fans happy – that’s so charged with passion and, most importantly, opens the doors for influence from a myriad of different sources to young minds.

If you’re looking for an old school hardcore punk album, this isn’t it, but if you’re not willing to open your mind and join AFI on their journey into new territory, the band have made it quite clear that you’re welcome to leave at any time and we’re inclined to agree – this is brave and impressive world-class music from four punk rock kids who started out writing songs about cereal and key lime pie.

Venue: Burials
Support Band: Island