AFI has released eleven studio albums, ten EPs, one live album and one DVD. The band first reached substantial commercial success with their fifth album, The Art of Drowning (2000), which peaked at number 174 on the Billboard 200. They then broke into the mainstream with their sixth, Sing the Sorrow (2003), which peaked at number five on the Billboard 200 and remained on the chart for 51 weeks. The album was supported by popular singles "Girl's Not Grey" and "Silver and Cold", both of which peaked at number seven on America's Hot Modern Rock Tracks chart in 2003. "The Leaving Song Pt. II" was also released as a single, reaching number 16 on the chart. Sing the Sorrow was certified Platinum by the RIAA in 2006 and is AFI's best-selling release, having sold over 1.26 million copies as of September 2009.
AFI's seventh album, Decemberunderground (2006), debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and featured the hit single "Miss Murder", which topped the Hot Modern Rock Tracks chart and reached number 24 on the Billboard Hot 100. Another single, "Love Like Winter", reached number four on the Modern Rock Tracks chart. The album was certified Platinum by the RIAA in 2013.[6] Decemberunderground was followed three years later by Crash Love (2009), and then four years later by Burials (2013); both albums were also successful, peaking at number twelve and number nine, respectively, on the Billboard 200. The band's tenth and latest album, AFI (The Blood Album), was released in 2017, and peaked at number five on the Billboard 200, making it their second-highest chart position.
Porphyria
AFI Lyrics
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To great disbelief there is somewhere we belong
In negative space supposed flaws go unseen
But our strength is shown
In darkness together, we're bringing the light
In darkness together, we are forming
The fire tomorrow is born of the night
From all we've been shunned but we found a new home
To great discontent it is greatness that we own
In luminous eyes, reflections of fear absolute
All hate what we've become
In darkness together, we're bringing the light
In darkness together, we are forming
The fire tomorrow is born of the night
In darkness together, we ignite
Through our will we bring fear
Left to burn beneath the sun
We are one
Come on
[Incomprehensible]
[Incomprehensible]
[Incomprehensible]
[Incomprehensible]
When daylight forms blinding walls, where do we go?
The darkness calls
Days arid are scorching all, where do we go?
The darkness calls
When daylight forms blinding, binding walls, where do we go?
The darkness calls
Days arid are scorching all, where do we go?
The darkness calls
The opening lines of "Porphyria" by AFI reflect a sense of belonging and retreat, where the band finds solace in a world where their supposed flaws go unnoticed. The lyrics suggest that despite the negative space they occupy, their strength is highlighted. The use of darkness as a metaphor signifies the idea that they are bringing light, forming and igniting a fire of tomorrow, indicating that they are a resilient group holding onto their identity and shaping their future against any odds.
The song then transitions to their ostracism as a group, where they are frequently shunned but have managed to find a new home. The lyrics reflect the discontent from the world, with their greatness that they now own, accompanied by luminous eyes reflecting fear absolute and a sense of hate towards who they have become. The transition between light and darkness is continued in the chorus, where they are not merely finding comfort in darkness but are also bringing their light, forming and igniting the fire together.
The closing lines of the song reflect their solidarity as a group, their strength and defiance against any odds. The repetition of "never been" and "incomprehensible" adds to the mystique of the song. Overall, "Porphyria" is a song that emphasizes the strength of belonging to a group, and the power of unity in the face of adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
I know it's here we retreat
We take shelter in this place for there is no other place to go.
For where else could we go?
This place is the only home we have.
To great disbelief there is somewhere we belong
Despite what others believe, we have found a place where we feel like we belong.
In negative space supposed flaws go unseen
In this place of darkness, our supposed weaknesses are not visible.
But our strength is shown
In this dark place, we are able to show our true strength.
In darkness together we're bringing the light
We come together in the darkness to create light.
In darkness together we are forming
We unite in the darkness to form a cohesive group.
The fire tomorrow is born of the night
The power we create in the darkness will shape tomorrow.
In darkness together we ignite
We spark a fire in the darkness when we come together.
From all we've been shunned
We have been rejected by others.
But we found a new home
Despite being rejected, we have found a place where we feel like we belong.
To great discontent it is greatness that we own
Others may be unhappy with us, but we have achieved greatness in our own right.
In luminous eyes, reflections of fear absolute
Others fear us and their fear is reflected in their eyes.
All hate what we've become
Others hate us because they fear what we have become.
Through our will we bring fear
We are powerful because we are determined to be powerful.
Left to burn beneath the sun
Those who oppose us will be left to suffer under the harsh light of day.
We are one
We are united as a group.
When daylight form blinding walls
When the light of day surrounds us and blinds us.
Where do we go?
Where can we find refuge?
The darkness calls
We are drawn to the darkness where we feel powerful.
Days arid are scorching all
The light of day is harsh and oppressive.
Do we go?
Should we seek refuge in the darkness again?
The darkness calls
We are drawn to the power we feel in the darkness.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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