Label: Roadrunner
Release date: October 5, 2018
Production: Coheed And Cambria
Album length: 79:19
Genre: Progressive rock
With American progressive rock outfit Coheed And Cambria, the last album, The Color Before The Sun (2015), felt like the band had gotten a little tired. There also weren’t any real ideas to be heard. It was also their first album that wasn’t a concept record. But things can turn around fast with Coheed And Cambria. After three years of silence, the band is back with a new album that runs just under 80 minutes. It’s also a return to The Amory Wars saga, which means the album is a concept record once again. So we’ve got a long journey ahead of us. According to Claudio Sanchez, the band’s frontman, it looks like it’s going to be a trilogy.
The album, titled “The Unheavenly Creatures,” tells the story, across an intro and 14 tracks, of the parents of the character Vaxis, who are fighting for their survival in space. Apparently the story of the main protagonist will be told on the next release. It’s a story about what happens after the album No World For Tomorrow. The story is also expected to be told in a comic book published by Evil Ink Comics.
The music Coheed And Cambria have recorded this time doesn’t differ stylistically from their earlier albums. The songs themselves are definitely better written and more inventive than on the non-concept predecessor. After the intro, the band hits the mark right away with the epic The Dark Sentencer. The track plays every ace with punch, epicness and catchiness. The title track follows, which feels more like a hit with a standout chorus and a synthesized intro. With Toys, the band shows a slightly harder side, with heavier, rock-driven guitars. But soon after, things calm down with Black Sunday, which still keeps the punch, and Sanchez delivers some pleasant melodic vocal lines.
Queen of the Dark is an example of how the band still knows how to think about making an album varied. The track is a great example of darkness and melancholy. But there’s a quick turn with True Ugly, which leans toward punk rock thanks to its faster tempo. The band still thinks progressively, but there’s room for something simpler too, like Love Protocol, which feels like it was inspired by the legendary The Police. With Pavilion, Coheed And Cambria prove on this album as well that they have no trouble creating a song that’s catchy and melodic enough.
Over time, it feels like the band has offered too many songs. The common thread gets a little lost, because there’s the odd filler too. Of course, the album is full of bright spots. It’s worth singling out The Gutter, which builds up nicely and also features screams, something the band used on its first albums. With All on Fire, the band shows some inspiration from Rush, which brings to mind the third album, Good Apollo, I’m Burning Star IV, Volume I. Toward the end there’s also the bouncy Old Flames, and it all wraps up with the ballad Lucky Stars.
Despite its length, Unheavenly Creatures will satisfy every follower of the band. There’s no heavy experimenting or departures in style either. There’s nothing to complain about in the production itself. The band sounds organic and clear enough that the record is a pleasure to listen to. Instrumentally, it’s convincing. The rhythm section is strong, the guitars definitely stand out, and there’s no shortage of melody. Sanchez’s vocals remain one of a kind, which means that, because of their tone alone, they still won’t suit everyone’s taste.
With their ninth studio album, Coheed And Cambria return to the sprawling concept they kicked off with their debut. The record has every trait the band has shown so far, so fans won’t be able to skip it. Definitely another superb achievement from the band, though not without a flaw or two.
9/10
Tracklist:
- Prologue
- The Dark Sentencer
- Unheavenly Creatures
- Toys
- Black Sunday
- Queen Of The Dark
- True Ugly
- Love Protocol
- The Pavilion (A Long Way Back)
- Night-Time Walkers
- The Gutter
- All On Fire
- It Walks Among US
- Old Flames
- Lucky Stars
Band members:
Claudio Sanchez – vocals, guitar
Travis Stever – guitar, backing vocals
Josh Eppard – drums, keyboards, backing vocals
Zach Cooper – bass guitar, backing vocals
