AFI discography

The discography of AFI, an American rock band formed in Ukiah, California, in 1991, consists of twelve studio albums, twelve extended plays (EPs), one compilation album, numerous singles, and additional releases spanning from 1993 to 2025, reflecting their evolution from hardcore punk roots to alternative rock and post-punk influences.^[1][2] AFI's early output, released primarily through the independent label Nitro Records, established their presence in the punk and hardcore scenes with raw, aggressive energy. Their debut studio album, Answer That and Stay Fashionable (1995), was followed by Very Proud of Ya (1996) and Shut Your Mouth and Open Your Eyes (1997), alongside EPs such as Behind the Times E.P. (1993) and All Hallow's E.P. (1999), which showcased fast-paced tracks and themes of alienation.^[1] By the late 1990s, albums like Black Sails in the Sunset (1999) and The Art of Drowning (2000) introduced gothic and horror punk elements, broadening their appeal while maintaining underground credibility.^[1] The band's breakthrough came with the 2003 album Sing the Sorrow, released via Vagrant Records and DreamWorks, which peaked at number five on the Billboard 200 and achieved platinum certification from the RIAA for over one million units shipped in the United States.^[1][3] This success propelled AFI into mainstream recognition, with hits like "Girl's Not Grey" and "Silver and Cold" blending post-hardcore intensity with melodic hooks. Their follow-up, Decemberunderground (2006) on Interscope Records, also reached platinum status from the RIAA in 2013, debuting at number one on the Billboard 200 and featuring singles such as "Miss Murder" and "Love Like Winter" that further solidified their commercial peak.^[1][4] In the subsequent years, AFI explored darker, more experimental sounds across major labels, releasing Crash Love (2009), Burials (2013), AFI (The Blood Album) (2017), and Bodies (2021), each charting on the Billboard 200 and emphasizing atmospheric production and introspective lyrics.^[1] Their most recent studio album, Silver Bleeds the Black Sun... (2025), continues this trajectory with a return to shadowy, synth-driven post-punk aesthetics.^[1][5] Throughout their career, AFI's releases have sold millions worldwide, with EPs like The Missing Man (2018) and live recordings providing additional entry points for fans, underscoring their enduring influence in the rock genre.^[1]

Albums

Studio albums

American rock band AFI has released twelve studio albums since their formation in 1991, evolving from hardcore punk roots to a blend of post-hardcore, goth rock, and alternative influences. Their early work, characterized by aggressive, melodic hardcore, laid the foundation for later commercial breakthroughs, with stylistic shifts becoming evident around their major label transition. Albums like Sing the Sorrow (2003) and Decemberunderground (2006) marked their entry into mainstream success, incorporating electronic elements and polished production while retaining emotional intensity. Later releases explored darker, more experimental goth and post-punk territories, reflecting the band's maturation and willingness to reinvent their sound.^[1] The band's discography showcases increasing chart performance, particularly in the mid-2000s, with two albums achieving Platinum certification by the RIAA for over one million units shipped in the United States. Early albums were issued on independent labels like Nitro Records, emphasizing DIY punk ethos, while later ones appeared on major labels such as Interscope and Republic, broadening their reach. Black Sails in the Sunset (1999) served as a pivotal milestone, featuring the band's current lineup for the first time and signaling their shift toward horror punk aesthetics on Nitro Records.^[1][6] Formats for all albums typically include CD, LP (vinyl), and digital download, with some early releases also available on cassette.^[1][7] AFI's stylistic evolution is evident across eras: the raw, mosh-pit energy of hardcore punk dominated their first four albums, from the chaotic riffs of Answer That and Stay Fashionable to the introspective aggression in The Art of Drowning. By Sing the Sorrow, they incorporated synths and soaring choruses, bridging punk and emo, which propelled their debut at No. 5 on the Billboard 200 and eventual Platinum status. Decemberunderground amplified this with No. 1 debut and over 300,000 first-week sales, blending goth-pop accessibility. Subsequent albums like Burials and Bodies leaned into atmospheric goth rock, prioritizing mood over commercial hooks, resulting in lower chart peaks but critical acclaim for artistic depth. The 2025 release Silver Bleeds the Black Sun... continues this trajectory, drawing on post-punk influences for a haunting, immersive sound.^[8][9]

Live albums

AFI's sole live album, I Heard a Voice – Live from Long Beach Arena, captures the band's performance at the peak of their commercial success during the Decemberunderground tour. Released on November 13, 2007, by Interscope Records, the album features 18 tracks recorded on September 15, 2006, at the Long Beach Arena in Long Beach, California, marking AFI's largest headlining show at the time with an audience of over 13,000.^[10][11] The setlist draws heavily from Decemberunderground (2006), including hits like "Miss Murder," "The Leaving Song Pt. II," and "Girl's Not Grey," alongside earlier staples such as "The Days of the Phoenix" from The Art of Drowning (2000) and "Totalimmortal" from Black Sails in the Sunset (1999), showcasing the band's evolution from hardcore punk roots to polished alternative rock. This selection highlights the live energy and audience interaction, with Davey Havok's soaring vocals and the crowd's fervent sing-alongs emphasizing the communal atmosphere of the tour, which supported AFI's breakthrough album that debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. The production preserves the raw intensity of the arena setting while maintaining clarity in the layered instrumentation of Jade Puget's guitars and Hunter Burgan's bass, with recording by Pete Keppler and mixing by Chad Bamford.^[10][12][13] Commercially, the album debuted at No. 25 on the US Billboard 200, selling approximately 28,000 copies in its first week and demonstrating sustained fan interest post-Decemberunderground. It also reached No. 9 on the Top Rock Albums chart and No. 4 on the Alternative Albums chart, underscoring AFI's enduring appeal in the rock genre. Exclusive to the audio release, the tracklist extends beyond the accompanying DVD (issued December 12, 2006) by including bonus live renditions like "Rabbits Are Roadkill on Rt. 37" and "Dancing Through Sunday," offering deeper cuts for dedicated listeners without venturing into behind-the-scenes interviews, which are reserved for the visual format.^[10]

Compilation albums

AFI's sole official compilation album is the self-titled AFI, released on November 2, 2004, through Nitro Records. This retrospective gathers 15 tracks from the band's six early releases on the label spanning 1996 to 2000, highlighting their formative hardcore punk and post-hardcore sound during that period.^[14][15] The album's track selection emphasizes standout songs from key records, including "The Days of the Phoenix" from The Art of Drowning (2000), "Totalimmortal" from Black Sails in the Sunset (1999), and "A Single Second" from Very Proud of Ya (1996), offering a curated overview of AFI's punk-era output without introducing new material or rarities.^[16][17] These selections represent the band's evolution from raw, aggressive hardcore to more melodic punk influences, bridging their independent roots with the broader audience gained after signing to a major label.^[14] Issued amid the commercial breakthrough of Sing the Sorrow (2003), the compilation served to reintroduce AFI's pre-mainstream work to newer fans while consolidating essential tracks for longtime supporters, though it did not achieve significant chart success or sales milestones.^[16]

Reissues and deluxe editions

AFI has issued several reissues and deluxe editions of their albums and EPs, often through Nitro Records for early material and Craft Recordings for later anniversary celebrations, enhancing original releases with remastered audio, bonus tracks, and collectible packaging to appeal to longtime fans and vinyl collectors.^[1][18] Early catalog reissues began in the mid-1990s under Nitro Records, focusing on the band's punk and hardcore roots. The 1995 debut Answer That and Stay Fashionable received a 1997 remastered reissue with the added bonus track "Open Your Eyes," preserving its raw energy while improving sound quality.^[19] The 1999 breakthrough Black Sails in the Sunset followed suit with a remastered version featuring bonus tracks, and in 2024, Craft Recordings released a 25th anniversary limited-edition vinyl pressing that added three bonus tracks to the original 12, emphasizing the album's horror-punk themes with neon orange vinyl.^[20] These editions have sustained interest in AFI's formative years, with the 2024 Black Sails reissue receiving positive fan acclaim for its expanded content and aesthetic upgrades.^[20] The 1999 All Hallow's E.P. has seen multiple vinyl reissues, with the 10-inch editions playing at 45 RPM (unlike the original 7-inch release at 33 ⅓ RPM), including a 2019 20th anniversary edition from Craft Recordings and a 2024 25th anniversary pressing on "Spectral Pink" 10-inch vinyl at 45 RPM, featuring updated artwork and the original four tracks without additional content but with enhanced collectibility for Halloween-themed punk enthusiasts.^[21][18][22] The 2000 album The Art of Drowning was reissued on CD in 2009 by Nitro Records and later on remastered vinyl in 2014, maintaining its goth-punk intensity without specified bonus material but with improved production fidelity.^[23] AFI's 2003 major-label breakthrough Sing the Sorrow has undergone significant expansions, starting with a 2023 20th anniversary collector's box set from Nitro Records and Concord, limited to 2,500 units and including a red 2LP reissue, five 7-inch B-sides (such as "Now the World" and "Reivers' Music"), and exclusive items like etched symbols and packaging.^[24] In 2024, a digital deluxe edition was released via streaming platforms under UMG Recordings, remastering the original 14 tracks and adding five era-specific B-sides—"Now the World," "100 Words," "Reivers' Music," "Rabbits Are Roadkill on Rt. 37," and "Death of Death"—expanding it to 18 tracks and making rarities widely accessible for the first time digitally.^[25][26] This edition has been praised for revitalizing the album's post-hardcore and emo influences, contributing to renewed streaming activity among fans.^[27] These reissues demonstrate AFI's strategy of leveraging anniversaries to introduce archival material, with limited physical editions often selling out quickly and driving collector demand, though specific chart performance for reissues remains modest compared to originals.^[24][25]

Extended plays

Extended plays

AFI's extended plays consist of seven main standalone releases featuring original material, spanning from the band's formative years in the hardcore punk scene to their later experimental phase. These EPs, generally limited to 4-5 tracks, functioned as creative interludes between studio albums, allowing AFI to refine their sound, test new influences, and connect with niche audiences through independent and major label distributions. Early efforts emphasized raw energy and punk ethos, while later ones incorporated thematic depth and sonic innovation, contributing to the band's evolution from underground darlings to alternative rock staples. The complete list of main extended plays is as follows: These EPs played a pivotal role in AFI's artistic development, with early releases like Behind the Times E.P. and A Fire Inside E.P. rooting the band in hardcore punk traditions through lo-fi production and relentless tempos that resonated in the West Coast scene.^[28][29] By the late 1990s, All Hallow's E.P. introduced thematic cohesion via horror elements, enhancing the band's visual and sonic identity with gothic-inspired packaging and covers that nodded to punk forebears like the Misfits.^[30] The 2002's 336 marked a commercial pivot, its exclusivity to US Hot Topic stores and limited pressing signaling AFI's major-label ambitions while experimenting with ethereal vocals and tighter rhythms.^[31] Later, The Missing Man exemplified maturation, stripping back to concise, contemplative structures that contrasted the band's prior bombast, earning praise for its versatility in evoking exhilaration and detachment.^[34] Overall, these releases underscored AFI's adaptability, with limited chart success—such as tracks from The Missing Man reaching alternative radio airplay—but strong critical reception for their role in genre-blending innovation.^[33]

Promos and splits

AFI's promotional extended plays and split releases primarily emerged during the band's formative years in the mid-1990s, serving as low-cost, limited-run vehicles to circulate early material within the underground punk and hardcore scenes. These releases, often pressed in small quantities on independent labels, featured raw demos and live recordings that helped cultivate a dedicated fanbase before AFI secured major label deals. Unlike their standalone EPs, these items emphasized collaboration or promotional intent, with splits sharing vinyl space with like-minded Bay Area acts to amplify exposure through shared distribution networks.^[1] The band's initial split, Dork / Stick Around (1993), marked their debut release alongside Loose Change on Key Lime Pie Records, limited to 200 black vinyl copies and 10 hand-colored promo editions. AFI contributed three tracks—"Red Hat," "Self Pity," and "NyQuil"—which captured their nascent hardcore sound and later influenced re-recordings on full-length albums like Very Proud of Ya (1996). This cassette and 7-inch effort, independently distributed at local shows, exemplified how such splits built grassroots momentum in the pre-internet era.^[35] In 1995, AFI collaborated with Heckle on a self-titled split 7-inch via Wingnut Records, pressing 700 black and 300 white vinyl copies for tour and mail-order sales. AFI's side included "Aspirin Free" and "Advances in Modern Technology," energetic punk tracks that showcased evolving songwriting while remaining exclusive to this format until later compilations. This release, along with similar efforts, underscored AFI's integration into Northern California's DIY punk community, fostering alliances that expanded their regional reach.^[36] The 1996 split Bombing the Bay! with Swingin' Utters, released on Sessions Records, featured AFI's "I Wanna Get a Mohawk" and a live version of "NyQuil" on 7-inch vinyl, with represses in 1997 to meet demand. Distributed primarily through punk venues and zine networks, it highlighted AFI's raw live energy and shared thematic ties to Bay Area skate-punk culture. These early splits often contained unique demos, such as unpolished takes absent from studio albums, providing collectors with glimpses of the band's developmental phase.^[37] Transitioning toward major labels, AFI issued promotional material in 1999 tied to All Hallow's E.P., including a tour-only 7-inch limited to 1,000 orange vinyl copies with tracks "Fall Children," "Halloween," "The Boy Who Destroyed the World," and "Totalimmortal"—the latter also appearing on a separate MP3.com promo single. These items, tied to seasonal promotions, bolstered AFI's cult following through exclusive content.^[22][38] As of November 2025, no new promotional EPs or splits have been documented in connection with AFI's tour supporting their album Silver Bleeds the Black Sun... (2025), maintaining the focus on these early releases as cornerstones of their underground legacy.^[1]

Singles

Commercial singles

AFI's commercial singles, released through labels such as Nitro Records, DreamWorks, and Interscope, have played a pivotal role in the band's mainstream breakthrough, particularly during the mid-2000s with hits from Sing the Sorrow (2003) and Decemberunderground (2006). These releases often appeared in physical formats like CD singles and 7-inch vinyl, alongside digital downloads, and frequently included b-sides or alternate versions to appeal to collectors and radio audiences. Chart performance has been strongest on Billboard's Alternative Airplay chart, where several tracks reached the top 10, establishing AFI's presence in the post-hardcore and alternative rock scenes.^[39] The band's first significant commercial single was "Girl's Not Grey" from Sing the Sorrow, released in April 2003 by DreamWorks Records in CD and digital formats. It marked AFI's first Top 40 hit on alternative radio, peaking at No. 7 on the Billboard Alternative Airplay chart and No. 22 on the UK Singles Chart, with a b-side featuring the acoustic version "Girl's Not Grey (Acoustic)." This release helped propel the album to No. 5 on the Billboard 200.^[39][40] Following in September 2003, "The Leaving Song Pt. II" from the same album was issued as a CD single by DreamWorks, including a b-side cover of "Lower Your Head and Take It in the Body." It achieved No. 16 on Alternative Airplay and No. 43 in the UK. "Silver and Cold," released January 2004 as a commercial single with 7-inch vinyl and digital options, peaked at No. 7 on Alternative Airplay, featuring an exclusive b-side "The Despair Factor."^[39] AFI's commercial peak arrived with "Miss Murder" from Decemberunderground, released June 20, 2006, by Interscope Records in CD, vinyl, and digital formats. The single reached No. 24 on the Billboard Hot 100— the band's highest mainstream chart position—No. 1 on Alternative Airplay, and No. 44 in the UK. B-sides included "On the Arrow" and an acoustic "Miss Murder (Guitar Acoustica Version)." "Love Like Winter," issued October 2006 as a digital and CD single, hit No. 4 on Alternative Airplay and No. 68 on the Hot 100, with a b-side "Fainting Spell." "The Missing Frame," from the Ironic Echoes compilation but tied to Decemberunderground era, was released commercially in 2007 and peaked at No. 17 on Alternative Airplay.^[39][40] In 2009, with Crash Love on Vagrant/Interscope, "Medicate" debuted as a digital single in August, reaching No. 7 on Alternative Airplay; the release included a b-side "Cocoa/Skulls." "Beautiful Thieves," released January 2010 in digital format, charted at No. 23 on Alternative Airplay. The 2013 album Burials yielded "17 Crimes" in June, a digital single via Republic Records that peaked at No. 25 on Alternative Airplay, accompanied by a b-side remix.^[39] Later releases maintained momentum on alternative charts. "Snow Cats" from The Blood Album (2017), issued digitally by Concord Music Group, reached No. 39 on Alternative Airplay. From Bodies (2021), "Twisted Tongues / Escape From Los Angeles" was released as a limited 7-inch vinyl and digital single on January 15, 2021, by Rise Records, serving as a double A-side without major chart entry but notable for its split format. "Looking Tragic / Begging for Trouble," another double A-side vinyl and digital release on February 25, 2021, highlighted thematic ties to the album. "White Offerings," a digital single from the same album in June 2021, received radio play but did not chart prominently.^[1][41] In 2025, AFI returned with singles from their album Silver Bleeds the Black Sun... on Run for Cover Records. "Behind the Clock," released August 5, 2025, as a digital single with a music video tie-in, marked the lead track and emphasized the band's post-punk influences. "Holy Visions," issued September 9, 2025, in digital format, served as the second single, featuring an exclusive video. "Ash Speck in a Green Eye," another digital release from the album on September 28, 2025, rounded out pre-album promotions without specified b-sides. These recent singles, available via streaming platforms, continue AFI's tradition of concise, atmospheric releases aimed at core fans and broader alternative audiences.^[42][43][41]

Promotional singles

AFI released a number of promotional singles to support their album cycles, targeting radio stations, media outlets, and tour promotions rather than broad commercial retail distribution. These releases often featured radio edits or exclusive versions to encourage airplay and build anticipation for full-length albums. Early examples from the band's Nitro Records era focused on hardcore and punk audiences, while later Interscope-era promos aligned with their shift toward alternative rock, achieving notable chart placements on modern rock radio. The following table lists key promotional singles, including release details and ties to associated albums: These promotional efforts contributed to AFI's growing mainstream presence in the 2000s, with singles like "Girl's Not Grey" and "The Leaving Song Pt. II" receiving significant alternative rock radio rotation during the Sing the Sorrow era. No physical promotional singles have been documented for the band's 2021 album Bodies or the 2025 release Silver Bleeds the Black Sun..., though digital radio edits were likely distributed for tour support.

Music videos

AFI's music videos have evolved alongside the band's shift from hardcore punk roots to gothic rock and alternative influences, often emphasizing dark, atmospheric visuals that complement their lyrical themes of existentialism, loss, and horror. Early videos, produced on modest budgets during their independent era with Nitro Records, featured raw, DIY aesthetics, while the 2003 major label debut with DreamWorks Records marked a significant increase in production values, enabling more elaborate sets, international locations, and cinematic storytelling. This transition is evident in the gothic horror elements of videos like "Girl's Not Grey" (2003), directed by David Slade, which draws on surreal, Alice in Wonderland-inspired imagery to depict a dreamlike descent into madness, earning heavy rotation on MTV and the MTV2 Award at the 2003 MTV Video Music Awards.^[50] Similarly, "Silver and Cold" (2003), directed by John Hillcoat and filmed in Prague, Czech Republic, evokes a haunting, wintry gothic romance with stark, shadowy cinematography that heightened the band's post-hardcore appeal.^[51][52] In the mid-2000s, videos tied to the platinum-selling album Decemberunderground (2006) achieved mainstream breakthrough, with "Miss Murder," directed by Marc Webb and set at Los Angeles City Hall, blending murder mystery tropes and theatrical performance in a narrative of fatal obsession; the video garnered over 42 million YouTube views and extensive MTV airplay. Later works continued this visual sophistication, such as "Beautiful Thieves" (2010), directed by Travis Kopach and shot in Temecula, California, which explores themes of accountability through a stylized heist gone wrong. No major censorship controversies have surrounded AFI's videos, though their dark motifs occasionally drew scrutiny in conservative media during the emo-punk boom.^[53][54][55] More recent videos reflect AFI's experimental phase, with DIY visualizers and performance clips dominating amid independent releases. The 2013 video for "17 Crimes," directed by Matt Stawski, adopts a noir thriller style with shadowy pursuits and dramatic lighting to promote Burials. In the 2020s, YouTube has become the primary platform for virality, as seen with "Get Dark" (2019), a black-and-white performance piece emphasizing the band's raw energy from The Missing Man EP. The latest entry, "Holy Visions" (September 9, 2025), directed by Gilbert Trejo, features a horror-inspired performance bathed in hallucinatory pink and blue hues, promoting the album Silver Bleeds the Black Sun and amassing significant streams shortly after release.^[56][42]

Additional content

Other appearances

AFI has contributed tracks to various multi-artist compilations and soundtracks, often featuring covers that showcase their punk roots and interpretive style, spanning from hardcore tributes to video game media. These appearances, distinct from their primary releases, number around a dozen across their career, emphasizing collaborations with labels like Fearless Records and appearances in gaming soundtracks.^[1] In 1997, AFI covered "Whatever I Do" by Negative Approach for the punk compilation Punk Fiction, released by Wedge Records, providing a raw hardcore rendition that fit the project's Bay Area punk focus.^[64] In 2000, the band delivered a punk-infused take on Guns N' Roses' "My Michelle" for the Punk Goes Metal compilation, issued by Fearless Records, marking an early entry in the influential Punk Goes series and highlighting AFI's ability to blend glam metal with post-hardcore energy. A notable 2004 contribution came with their cover of Nine Inch Nails' "Head Like a Hole" on the Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas Official Soundtrack Box Set, curated by Rockstar Games and distributed via Interscope Records, integrating AFI's aggressive style into the game's radio playlist for widespread exposure in gaming culture.

List of songs recorded by AFI

The songs recorded by AFI span their career from early hardcore punk demos in 1993 to gothic rock tracks on their 2025 album Silver Bleeds the Black Sun..., totaling over 270 studio-recorded originals, excluding live variants and covers unless studio-produced. Songwriting credits for the band's pre-1999 material typically involve multiple members, including drummer Adam Carson, bassist Hunter Burgan (formerly Hunter Lawrence), and vocalist Davey Havok, while from Black Sails in the Sunset (1999) onward, lyrics are primarily by Havok and music by guitarist Jade Puget. Durations are approximate based on standard releases. Alternate versions, such as demos from early EPs like Behind the Times (1993), are noted where they differ significantly from final recordings. The following alphabetical table catalogs selected studio songs, including those from 2024 deluxe editions like bonus tracks on Sing the Sorrow (Deluxe) and 2025 additions. For a complete list, refer to sources like Genius or Discogs.^[65][1][5] Notes on alternate versions include the demo of "Torch Song" from Crash Love sessions (2009, 3:42, released via Google's La Blogotheque). The duet version of "Miss Murder" featuring Kyosuke Himuro (2006, 3:26, Japan single). Unreleased demos from 1993-1994, such as "Capitalist Suck" (0:37) and "Misery Loves Company" (0:33), appear on rare compilations but are studio-recorded originals.^[66][26][67]