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Black Sails EP
Black Sails EP
Black Sails EP
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Black Sails EP
EP by
AFI
ReleasedApril 27, 1999 (1999-04-27)[1]
GenrePunk rock
Length11:50
LabelNitro
ProducerAFI
AFI chronology
A Fire Inside EP
(1998) 		Black Sails EP
(1999) 		Black Sails in the Sunset
(1999)

Black Sails EP is an extended play by the American rock band AFI. It was released on April 27, 1999, through Nitro Records. Only 5,000 copies were pressed. It is a sampler of the band's fourth studio album Black Sails in the Sunset.

Background

[edit]

The first three tracks can be found on the album Black Sails in the Sunset. On the full-length album, "Porphyria" is re-titled "Porphyria Cutanea Tarda" and contains a crossfade into the next track, "Exsanguination". "Who Knew?" is a B-side from the full-length album and appears on its Japanese edition. This is the first release with Jade Puget as an official member of the band.

Track listing

[edit]

All lyrics are written by Davey Havok; all music is composed by AFI.

No.TitleLength
1."Porphyria"2:09
2."Malleus Maleficarum"4:04
3."The Prayer Position"3:30
4."Who Knew?"2:14

Personnel

[edit]

Credits adapted from liner notes.[2]

  • AFI – producer, arrangements, backing vocals
  • Davey Havok – lead vocals, lyrics
  • Jade Puget – lead guitar, programming, keyboard, piano, synthesizer, backing vocals
  • Adam Carson – drums, percussion, backing vocals
  • Hunter Burgan – bass, programming, keyboard, backing vocals
  • Andy Earnst – engineer, mixing
  • Alan Forbes – cover illustration
  • Dexter Holland – additional guitar, backing vocals
  • Thad LaRue – assistant engineer
  • Gabe Morford – photography
  • Jamie Reilly – layout
Studios
  • Engineered and mixed at The Art of Ears, Hayward, CA

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Black Sails EP

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Black Sails EP is an by the American rock band AFI, released on April 27, 1999, through as a limited to 5,000 copies. The EP features four tracks—"Porphyria Cutanea Tarda" (2:09), "" (4:04), "The Prayer Position" (3:30), and "Who Knew?" (2:14)—totaling approximately 11:57 in length. Three of these songs, excluding "Who Knew?", were later included on AFI's fourth studio album, , released less than a month later on May 18, 1999, also via . AFI, formed in 1991 in , by vocalist and drummer , had undergone lineup changes prior to this release, with bassist joining in 1997 and guitarist replacing Markus Stopholese around the same time. Its limited pressing has made it a sought-after item among collectors and fans of the band's early work.

Production

Background and development

The Black Sails EP represented the first release by AFI featuring its enduring lineup of vocalist Davey Havok, drummer Adam Carson, bassist Hunter Burgan, and guitarist Jade Puget. Burgan had joined the band in 1997 following the departure of original bassist Geoff Kresge, establishing himself as a full-time member in time for the recording of the group's third album, Shut Your Mouth and Open Your Eyes. Puget came on board in 1998, replacing guitarist Mark Stopholese and bringing a fresh creative dynamic after completing his college studies. This configuration solidified AFI's sound during a period of lineup transitions that had begun with earlier releases like the 1996 album Very Proud of Ya, which still featured the initial core members alongside Stopholese and Kresge. Positioned in AFI's as a transitional project, the EP bridged the raw, skate-punk energy of Shut Your Mouth and Open Your Eyes (1997) and the darker, more atmospheric direction of the subsequent full-length (1999). It introduced gothic undertones and thematic depth that foreshadowed the band's evolving style, moving beyond straightforward hardcore roots toward a blend of melodic aggression and eerie, narrative-driven songwriting. This shift aligned with AFI's growing experimentation, enabled by their association with since signing with the label around 1996 following the independent release of their debut Answer That and Stay Fashionable (1995). The partnership provided the resources for the band to explore more ambitious concepts while maintaining their punk ethos. The EP's development stemmed from sessions in late 1998. Tracks like "" and "" drew on horror-inspired motifs, reflecting AFI's interest in storytelling that would define the era's output. Released in a limited pressing of 5,000 copies on April 27, 1999, the decision emphasized scarcity to appeal to dedicated fans and foster a sense of exclusivity within the underground punk scene.

Recording and personnel

The Black Sails EP was recorded in late 1998 and early 1999 at Art of Ears Studios in , during sessions that also captured material for the band's accompanying full-length , Black Sails in the Sunset. The EP was produced entirely by AFI, allowing the band full creative control over arrangements and mixing to maintain their unrefined aesthetic. was handled by , who assisted in capturing the performances, with additional support from assistant engineer Thadd LaRue. Mastering occurred at Capitol Mastering in Hollywood, California, by Evren Göknar, providing a final punch to the raw recordings without over-polishing them.
RolePersonnel
Lead vocals, lyrics
Guitar, backing vocals
Bass, backing vocals
Drums, backing vocals
Additional backing vocals
Producer, arrangements, music, backing vocalsAFI
Engineer, mixingAndy Ernst
Assistant engineerThadd LaRue
MasteringEvren Göknar
The sessions highlighted the band's evolving lineup dynamics. This approach resulted in versions of songs like "" that retained a demo-like immediacy, distinguishing the EP from the more refined album counterparts.

Musical content

Style and themes

The Black Sails EP represents a pivotal shift in AFI's musical evolution, blending their established foundations with nascent and gothic elements, facilitated by the introduction of guitarist . This transitional sound features aggressive, high-energy compositions characterized by distorted guitars, pounding drum lines, and dynamic shifts between blistering speed and brooding introspection, as evident in the raw, unpolished production that emphasizes the band's live-wire intensity. Tracks like "" exemplify faster tempos around 168 beats per minute, driving dissonant riffs in minor keys to heighten tension and evoke a sense of urgency, while atmospheric intros draw from punk's raw edge to create an ominous mood. Influenced by horror punk pioneers such as the Misfits and Danzig, the EP's style incorporates comic book-esque darkness and metallic tinges, moving beyond straight-ahead hardcore toward a more theatrical, shadowed aesthetic. Lyrically, the EP delves into themes of existential dread, personal anguish, and societal alienation, often through horror-infused metaphors that reflect inner turmoil and defiance. "," for instance, alludes to —a rare blood disorder historically associated with lore due to symptoms like extreme light sensitivity and disfiguring skin lesions—symbolizing isolation and the search for belonging among the outcast. "" invokes the infamous 15th-century treatise on witchcraft, a key text in European witch hunts that justified persecution of the marginalized, to explore ritualistic imagery, identity struggles, and resistance against oppressive norms. Meanwhile, "The Prayer Position" confronts fear and doubt through motifs of rebellion against rigid traditions, urging collective transformation and purification amid chaos. Overall, these elements position the EP as a sonic bridge to AFI's darker phase, previewing the gothic literature-inspired and leanings of while retaining 1970s punk's visceral aggression. The work's emphasis on in adversity and emotional rawness underscores its role in broadening the band's thematic scope, prioritizing conceptual depth over mere speed.

Track listing

The consists of four original compositions by AFI, serving as a preview to their upcoming full-length .
No.TitleWritersLength
1."Porphyria Cutanea Tarda"AFI2:09
2.""AFI4:04
3."The Prayer Position"AFI3:30
4."Who Knew?"AFI2:14
All tracks on the EP are early versions of songs later re-recorded for AFI's 1999 album , except for "Who Knew?", which was not included on the original album release but appeared as a bonus track on the 25th anniversary edition. The cover art abbreviates the first track as "Porphyria". "" stands as the longest track, noted for its experimental structure as the first composition co-written by guitarist with . There are no cover songs; all are original works by .

Release and reception

Release details

The Black Sails EP was issued on April 27, 1999, through under catalogue number 15828-2. It was released exclusively in format within a standard jewel case, with no vinyl pressing available at the time of initial issuance and a limited run of 5,000 copies produced. As a promotional precursor to AFI's full-length album , which followed three weeks later on May 18, 1999, the EP was distributed primarily through punk specialty retailers associated with . No digital version was available upon release, though the tracks later appeared in subsequent compilations and reissues of the band's catalog.

Commercial performance and legacy

The Black Sails EP was released in a limited pressing of 5,000 copies on CD by , reflecting its status as an independent punk release distributed primarily through fan networks and specialty outlets. Due to its small-scale production and lack of major label backing, the EP did not achieve chart placement on or similar rankings, though its exclusivity contributed to rapid sell-through among AFI's growing underground audience and helped generate pre-release buzz for the band's forthcoming album, . Today, original copies command collector prices, with median sales around $25 and highs exceeding $60 on secondary markets as of 2025, underscoring its rarity and appeal to enthusiasts. Contemporary critical reception was limited due to the EP's niche distribution, with few formal reviews available beyond punk zines and fan publications. In retrospect, the EP is regarded as an essential artifact in AFI's , marking the band's transition toward a darker, horror punk-influenced sound that would define their subsequent work. Its role as a pivotal precursor to propelled AFI's evolution from a regional hardcore act to influential figures in melodic punk. By introducing emotional depth and theatrical elements, it laid the groundwork for the album's breakthrough and the band's later mainstream success. In , AFI acknowledged the EP's 25th anniversary on , noting its role in paving the way for the full-length . While no standalone reissue of the EP occurred in , its exclusive track "Who Knew?" was included as a bonus in anniversary editions of the companion , reinforcing its status as a collector's in AFI's .
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