The Despair Factor
AFI · The Art of Drowning [2000]
I breathe the mist and continue walking
The wood it whispers in a language of it's own
As a sigh escaped my lips
I feel the light caress of fingertips
that steal away the breath and leave me on my own
Waiting by the stairs, Waiting, I despair
Waiting by the stairs, Waiting, by the...
(my whole life is a dark room,
one, big, dark, room)
Do I hear the hollow sound
footsteps resounding on this frozen ground
or the familiar disappointment of the echoes of my own?
Waiting by the stairs, Waiting, I despair
Waiting by the stairs, Waiting, by the stairs
Waiting by the stairs, Waiting, I despair
Waiting by the stairs, Waiting, by the stairs
For redeption, for election, for the times when i did say;
for the extacsy, for the champion day, whats the point of my fragility?
Somehow I ended up here in between,
where there is always the comfort
of knowing I'll never be seen
when I fall
when I fall
I wait for just one touch
and I fall
Weightless, endless, faithless, I'll adore you.
A single touch before I fade.
Painless let me pass through.
Weightless, endless, faithless, I'll adore you.
A single touch before I fade.
Painless let me pass through.
The Despair Factor
The Despair Factor stands as a defining track from AFI's 2000 album, The Art of Drowning. During this pivotal era, the band solidified their signature sound by blending punk rock energy with gothic undertones and melodic sensibilities. This recording captures the group's transition into a more polished, emotionally resonant style that would later define their broader discography. The song showcases the dynamic interplay between driving rhythms and atmospheric textures, reflecting the band's ability to balance aggression with introspection. As part of a celebrated body of work, it remains a staple for fans exploring the evolution of alternative rock in the late nineties and early two-thousands. The track exemplifies the creative momentum that propelled AFI toward wider recognition and established their reputation for crafting enduring, genre-defying music.