The band's early sound was characterized by fast-paced punk rock songs with dark and often political lyrics. They released their debut album, Answer That and Stay Fashionable, in 1995, and followed it up with two more albums, Very Proud of Ya (1996) and Shut Your Mouth and Open Your Eyes (1997).
In 1999, AFI released their fourth album, Black Sails in the Sunset, which marked a departure from their earlier sound. The album was more experimental, incorporating elements of new wave, post-punk, and electronic music. Black Sails in the Sunset was a commercial success, and it helped to establish AFI as one of the most popular bands in the punk rock scene.
In the early 2000s, AFI continued to experiment with their sound. They released two more albums, The Art of Drowning (2000) and Sing the Sorrow (2003), which both featured a more melodic and accessible sound. These albums were also commercial successes, and they helped to bring AFI to a wider audience.
In 2006, AFI released their seventh album, Decemberunderground. The album was a major commercial success, debuting at number one on the Billboard 200 chart and selling over two million copies worldwide. Decemberunderground was also nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Rock Album.
Since the release of Decemberunderground, AFI has released two more albums, Crash Love (2009) and Burials (2013). The band has also toured extensively, and they have played at some of the biggest music festivals in the world.
AFI is considered one of the most influential bands in the punk rock scene. Their music has inspired a generation of musicians, and they continue to be one of the most popular live acts in the world.