Review by Dom Vigil
The Missing Man proves why AFI are still going strong over twenty years since their inception. Short yet sweet and very dynamic, the band’s latest EP not only reminds you why you fell in love with them to begin with in raw, energetic tracks like “Trash Bat” and “Get Dark,” but it also finds the band expanding their wide-reaching sound once more. The cinematic “Break Angels” sits perfectly between gritty energetic tracks, and the album’s title track shows plenty of promise for AFI’s future.
“Trash Bat” is the perfect opener for The Missing Man. High energy, raw and aggressive, the song is driven primarily by thick bass and Davey Havok’s iconic vocals, finding a sound that sits perfectly between AFI’s older and newer material. Then, taking a massive step away from this is the cinematic track, “Break Angels,” which features a stunning string section. A strong middle track, “Back Into The Sun” slows things down a little bit and allows you to catch your breath before the soon to be classic “Get Dark.”
Although each track on The Missing Man feels like a different era in AFI’s career, each song is connected by raw production, thoughtful songwriting and an underlying urgency that ties the entire EP together. At times, the production can feel a bit muddy (see the bridge of “Break Angels”) but it certainly captures the band’s unbridled energy that fans have fallen in love with over the years. The icing on the cake is the stunning closing track, “The Missing Man,” which takes a step outside of the band’s comfort zone, driven by acoustic guitar, strings and soulful, powerful vocals. “The Missing Man” couldn’t feel more different than “Trash Bat,” but the EP doesn’t feel meandering or unfocused by any means. Instead, The Missing Man is a success. This EP proves that AFI haven’t forgotten their roots, but still have their sights set on the future as well.
LISTEN TO: “Trash Bat” or “The Missing Man”
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