AFI – I Heard A Voice [DVD]

After releasing 7 albums, AFI finally released a live DVD that happens to showcase their largest headlining concert to date. Playing at Long Beach Arena in front of around 15,000 fans, AFI manage to deliver near flawless rendition’s of many fan favourite tracks from Decemberunderground and Sing The Sorrow with a couple tracks from older albums to please dedicated longtime fans too. I don’t consider myself a huge AFI fan but I enjoy some of their songs and was impressed with Decemberunderground, however after being stunned by “I Heard A Voice“, I have a deeper appreciation for the band. From the opening notes of “Prelude 12/21” to the last gasping breath in “Miss Murder” each member of the band give their all in a very dramatic and thrilling show.

It all begins with the stage covered by a large white sheet with a single bright light emitting from behind the sheet to reveal the silhouette of Davey Havok as he sings the opening lines to “Prelude 12/21″. Holding the crowd in anticipation a scream erupts as the sheet drops to reveal Jade, Adam and Hunter all dressed in white on stage in front of leafless trees covered in white lights complimented by spotlights that swirl and bounce on stage parallel to the feel of the music. Visually AFI have nailed it. They perfectly create diverse moods to accompany each song using lighting, stage props and a large video screen that accentuates what’s being played. The visuals are really engaging to watch while the band members energetically perform astounding performances of nearly every fans favourite songs. I was really blown away by how good each song sounds, from the drums to the vocals and even the slight guitar and bass effects that I’ve never noticed on the album versions, everything is executed soundly while retaining a raw live feel. This is all filmed in high quality with camera angles and shots that capture the intensity as they highlight each member of AFI while flashing to the audience screaming each lyric right back. Subtle camera tricks such as slow motion and a layering effect are also used throughout the show adding a nice touch to the already artistic stage presentation. The producers have done a fantastic job and “I Heard A Voice” is AFI‘s live show captured in it’s full glory.

I’d have to say, this is one of the most impressive concert DVD’s I have seen. Davey Havok is a very dramatic frontman and displays his emotions boldly in front of very effective lighting and props. He rarely speaks to the crowd through the 18 song set but holds the audience in his hand with his stage presence and powerful performance. I can’t recommend this DVD highly enough to anyone at all who likes AFI. It’s a very illustrative presentation and a full show that really needs to be seen as well as heard, and one that can be watched over and over. The sound, the visuals, the filming, the editing and the presentation.. It’s all awe-inspiring.

Highlights And Extra’s
Short interviews with band members and Despair Faction members
Photo Collage with fans (really small pictures you’ll need a bigscreen to see them)
Easter Egg : 4 eerie short films featuring members of AFI (they don’t make any sense to me)
Guest apearance by Nick 13 of Tiger Army on A Single Second
Snow falling in Love Like Winter (It’s actually paper but it looks awesome)
Davey Havok possible mistake on Silver And Cold (2nd chorus near the end he lets out a yelp at the end of a note)