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 Cutanea Tarda
AFI Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
for where else could we go?
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.
When daylight forms blinding walls where do we go?
Days arid are scorching all.
When daylight forms blinding, binding walls where do we go?
The darkness calls.
The lyrics to AFI's song Porphyria Cutanea Tarda are evocative and poetic, speaking to the feelings of outcasts and those who are misunderstood. The song is about finding a place where one belongs, even when that place is nowhere at all. The singer says, "I know... It's here we retreat, for where else could we go?" indicating that the place they are currently in is the only safe space they have. They belong in darkness where their supposed flaws go unseen, and where their strength is shown. The use of negative space is significant here because it represents a place where things that are not typically seen as beautiful or desirable can thrive and be appreciated.
The chorus of the song speaks to the power that comes from being together in darkness. In this place, the group is forming and igniting a fire that will be seen tomorrow even though it was born of the night. They have found a new home without fear of judgment. Instead, they are united through their will, even though they are often shunned by the rest of the world. The singer speaks of luminous eyes reflecting an absolute fear, indicating that those around them hate what they have become. But in darkness together, they're bringing the light, and that light is something that will carry them through.
The last verse of the song is particularly powerful. The singer asks what happens when daylight forms blinding walls, and the days are arid and scorching. Where do the outcasts go? They go to the darkness, where they are safe and can thrive. The darkness calls them, and that is where they will always have a place to belong.
Line by Line Meaning
I know... It's here we retreat,
I am aware that this place is where we come back to
for where else could we go?
There is no other place we feel we truly belong
To great disbelief there is somewhere we belong.
Against all odds, we have found a place where we fit in
In negative space supposed flaws go unseen,
In the emptiness of this space, our perceived flaws are hidden
but our strength is shown.
However, our strength is still evident
In darkness together we're bringing the light.
As a group, we are shining a light in the darkness
In darkness together we are forming.
We are coming together in the dark
The fire tomorrow is born of the night,
The passion and drive for tomorrow's success is fueled by today's struggles
in darkness together we ignite.
As a group, we are sparking something great
From all we've been shunned but we found a new home.
Despite being rejected by others, we have found a new community
To great discontent it is greatness that we own.
Despite being frowned upon, we still possess greatness within our group
In luminous eyes, reflections of fear absolute...
The fear that other people have of us is reflected in their eyes
All hate what we've become.
Everyone despises who we have turned into
Through our will we bring fear.
We are making others afraid through our own determination
Left to burn beneath the sun.
Those who are not part of our group are being left to suffer the consequences of their actions
We are one.
We are unified as a single entity
When daylight forms blinding walls where do we go?
When the brightness of day creates obstructions, where can we turn to?
Days arid are scorching all.
The days are dry and burning everything
When daylight forms blinding, binding walls where do we go?
When the light of day traps us, what options do we have?
The darkness calls.
The only answer is to surrender to the darkness
Contributed by Kaylee G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Domino Lexington
The best part of old skool AFI will always be the "misheard lyrics" threads on the message boards:
In darkness together,
we're bringing the light
in darkness together,
WE ARE PUDDING!
The fire tomorrow
is part of the night
In darkness together
WE EAT MIMES!
😜
Stryker Steel
When daylight builds blinding walls
where do we go? go! the darkness calls
Days arid are scorching all
where do we go? go! the darkness calls
When daylight builds blinding, blinding walls
go! the darkness calls
Days arid are scorching all,
where do we go? the darkness calls
Numonkei
12 years ago my closest friend self-immolated to this song....His choice of music was good at least.
infalliblle
wtf
Dustin795
In darkness together we IG-NITEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
Valentino Žmirić
Lol, the picture at the end xD
Dargaia's Nectar
WTF is up with the end picture?! xD