The Bird of Prey Lyrics – AFI

Take flight into “The Bird of Prey,” the atmospheric opener to AFI‘s twelfth album Silver Bleeds the Black Sun…, out now on Run For Cover Records. Dropped on October 3, 2025, this 10-track collection pulls the California punk legends back to their late ’70s and early ’80s death rock roots, channeling echoes of Sisters of Mercy, Bauhaus, and Siouxsie and the Banshees into a dreamy, ethereal sound that’s dark yet grand. After more than three decades of constant reinvention from East Bay hardcore dives to platinum records and MTV wins, AFI switched up their process for this one, aiming for a unified mood that feels otherworldly and fresh. It’s their first with Run For Cover, and it shows in the lush layers that surprised even them.

Right from the start, “The Bird of Prey” lays down the album’s core: acoustic strums that build tension, synths that swirl like mist, bass lines that drive forward, and drums that echo deep. As the lead into singles like “Behind the Clock,” it sets a tone of haunting beauty, blending post-punk edge with gothic romance. Fans on forums are already noting how it ties into the project’s singular vibe, evolving from Bodies’ raw energy into something more immersive and moody. Tracks like “Holy Visions” and “Blasphemy and Excess” carry that torch, while closers such as “Nooneunderground” explode back to primal punk roots. Whether you’re drawn to the cavernous rhythms or the lyrical shadows, this album proves AFI can still shift directions and pull you along. Dive into the The Bird of Prey lyrics below and unpack its soaring shadows. Don’t miss other Silver Bleeds the Black Sun… tracks like Behind the Clock for more of AFI’s ethereal punk depth.