AFI Silver Bleeds The Black Sun...
AFI's Silver Bleeds The Black Sun... marks a deliberate, often triumphant plunge into goth-rock and post-punk atmospheres, and critics largely agree it succeeds on those terms. Across four professional reviews the record earned a 75/100 consensus score, with praise focused on tracks that trade punk snap for brooding theatricality and lush production. The quick verdict from the critical consensus: a confident reinvention that rewards listeners who crave gothic revival over the band’s earlier frenetic energy.
Reviewers consistently point to standout tracks as the album's emotional and stylistic anchors. “Behind the Clock”, “The Bird of Prey” and “Holy Visions” recur across reviews for their cinematic intensity, heavy synths and vocal theatrics, while “A World Unmade” and “Ash Speck in a Green Eye” are noted for cavernous, Cure-like scope and poetic peaks. Critics praised the production's lushness and the record's commitment to gothic aesthetics, calling out homage to Bauhaus and Sisters of Mercy alongside modernized melodrama.
Not all voices are unequivocal. Some critics welcomed the evolution and Davey Havok's weathered delivery, while others warned that repetitive instrumentation occasionally blunts the album's impact, making certain songs blur together. That tension between nostalgic homage and forward momentum defines much of the conversation: the album's ambition and theatricality win points, but a perceived loss of punk immediacy tempers wholehearted acclaim. In short, Silver Bleeds The Black Sun... is a must-hear for those drawn to dark atmosphere and gothic reinvention, and a mixed proposition for fans seeking AFI's earlier ferocity.
Critics' Top Tracks
The standout songs that made critics take notice
Behind the Clock
3 mentions
"‘Behind the Clock’ is their Lynchian opus, an ode to the late director."— Clash Music
A World Unmade
2 mentions
"to the cavernous, Cure -esque "A World Unmade,""— AllMusic
Holy Visions
3 mentions
"‘Holy Visions’ is destined to reverberate off the walls of a macabre dungeon, its heavy synths and swirling chords compelling even the most reluctant of dancers."— Clash Music
‘Behind the Clock’ is their Lynchian opus, an ode to the late director.
Track Ratings
How critics rated each track, relative to this album (0-100). Only tracks that made critics feel something are rated.
The Bird of Prey
Behind the Clock
Holy Visions
Blasphemy & Excess
Spear of Truth
Ash Speck in a Green Eye
VOIDWARD, I BEND BACK
Marguerite
A World Unmade
Nooneunderground
What Critics Are Saying
Deep insights from 4 critics who reviewed this album
Critic's Take
The review highlights several standouts that crystallise AFI’s gothic reinvention, notably the haunting opener 'The Bird of Prey', the cinematic intensity of 'Behind the Clock', and the poetic peak of 'Ash Speck in a Green Eye'. 'Holy Visions' and 'Spear of Truth' are praised for their heavy synths and mature lyricism respectively, while closer 'NOONEUNDERGROUND' reconnects with the band’s hardcore roots. The critic frames these tracks as exemplars of AFI’s successful evolution, balancing reverent influences with fresh, electrifying composition.
Key Points
-
‘Ash Speck in a Green Eye’ is the album’s poetic high point with Baudelaire-like lyricism.
-
The album’s core strengths are its gothic theatricality and AFI’s successful evolution blending influences with fresh energy.
Themes
Critic's Take
AFI lean fully into the goth vein on Silver Bleeds The Black Sun..., so the best songs are those that embrace that brooding sweep rather than chase their old punk snap. Tracks like “The Bird Of Prey” and “Spear Of Truth” are singled out for their unabashed homage to Bauhaus and Sisters Of Mercy, even if that homage occasionally tips into overwrought territory. If you search for the best tracks on Silver Bleeds The Black Sun..., you will find them in the album's darker, more atmospheric moments. Enjoyment here depends on whether you want brooding grandeur rather than punkier, pacier moments of AFI's past.
Key Points
-
The best song(s) lean into the album's goth homage, with “The Bird Of Prey” exemplifying that brooding ambition.
-
The album's core strength is its committed atmospherics and self-aware nods to classic goth, at the cost of punk energy.
Themes
Critic's Take
The review highlights several standout tracks that embody AFI's deliberate pivot into goth-rock and post-punk, praising production and atmosphere. "Behind the Clock" and "A World Unmade" are singled out for their feedback-drenched lurch and cavernous, Cure-like scope respectively. "Holy Visions" and "Ash Speck in a Green Eye" are noted for their driving beats and heightened tension, with vocal theatrics emphasized. Overall the album is framed as a tight, enthralling, fully committed exploration of darker sounds.
Key Points
-
"Behind the Clock" is the best example of the album's successful goth-rock pivot due to its lurching, feedback-drenched presentation.
-
The album's core strengths are lush, layered production and faithful homage to goth/post-punk influences while remaining tightly executed.
Themes
Critic's Take
The review highlights several standout tracks — notably 'Behind the Clock', 'The Bird of Prey', 'Holy Visions', and 'A World Unmade' — for their evocative lyrics and strong vocal performances from Davey Havok. Praise centers on moments where the band nails a dark, stately post-punk aesthetic and Havok’s weathered, majestic delivery. Criticism targets repetitive instrumentation that makes multiple songs blur together, reducing the impact of otherwise brilliant lines. Overall the album offers glimpses of revelation but lacks consistent realization of its ambitious vision.
Key Points
-
‘Behind the Clock’ is best for delivering the album’s promised dark, stately evolution with heavy riffs and haunting vocals.
-
The album’s core strength is Davey Havok’s weathered, majestic vocal performances and evocative, poetic lyrics despite repetitive instrumentation.