Six years ago, "The Art Of Drowning" was released, a decisive album for the career of the Californian band AFI.
This album became decisive because it marked the peak of their success in the underground scene, with a subsequent shift to a major label, but most importantly, because it perfected their musical formula based on a darkly tinted punk-hardcore.
The record unfolds through 15 tracks that showcase a mature band ready to make the big leap and on the verge of winning the hearts of thousands of fans around the world. After a brief intro, it starts strong with the now classic The Lost Souls, rich in choruses and with a chorus that immediately gets stuck in your head. The anthem Ever And A Day, full of romance and class, deserves a mention. A series of '90s punk tracks follow, excellently performed by the brooding vocalist Davey Havok, who, along with his band, crafts a great hit like The Days Of The Phoenix. Among the best episodes are Wester, The Despair Factor, particularly dear to the band's fans, and Morning Star, a sweet and poetic ballad.
In conclusion, if you want to understand who the modern AFI are, those who debut at the top of the USA charts, it is necessary to know their recent past made up of albums like this one, full of inspiration, hardcore melodies, and that dark aura that for years has been the hallmark of California's darkest band.