Live Review: AFI

AFI singer Davey Havok struck a pose wearing his studded black jacket with the apt word "BLOOD" - it's the Blood album tour - scrolled on the back in bones. Then the band kicked into the 2003 track Girl's Not Grey and the crowd knew they were in for something special.

The high octane energy from the band continued throughout the entire set; Havok jumping onto the foldback speaker at any given moment to incite the crowd with call and responses while drummer Adam Carson effortlessly kept the beat tight.

Next, they pulled out The Days Of The Phoenix from 2000's The Art Of Drowning. Three other tracks from the same album were played, surprising since the band is better known for their output from 2003's Sing The Sorrow to this year's self-titled album. Nonetheless, they slotted in seamlessly with new material like Still A Stranger, Aurelia and Snow Cats.

Unfortunately, and ironically, just before End Transmission the power went out on stage and the crew scurried around trying to fix it. Havok, a man who doesn't want to see a crowd disappointed, sang an acapella version of Depeche Mode's Shake The Disease. The band disappeared for about ten minutes and before long the issue was fixed and the Californian four-piece were back jumping around the stage and making ears bleed. They ripped through a string of classics - Of Greetings And Goodbyes, Beautiful Thieves, Paper Airplanes (Makeshift Wings) and the set finale Silver And Cold. The thing that amazes most about the band is even though the music is somewhat aggressive, it's contrasted by the amazing harmonies from Hunter Burgan and Jade Puget. Even though the pair launched themselves around the stage, they never tired nor missed a cue.

The obligatory encore ensued with 6 To 8 and Miss Murder concluding the show. This was one of the most energetic shows at The Gov in a while, and Havok is one of the best theatrical performers going around. Time to delve back into their expansive catalogue!