Review: COHEED AND CAMBRIA
Photo by: Jimmy Fontaine
Vaxis - Act III: The Father of Make Believe
When I was 15, my best friend gave me a CD with the highest recommendations. At first, I was pretty confused about whether I liked it or not. The singing and prog-rock style challenged me. On my third listen, the penny dropped - and COHEED AND CAMBRIA quickly became one of my favourite bands of all time. The album in question was the group's sophomore record In Keeping Secrets of Silent Earth: 3. Cut to 20 years later, and I’m as excited as ever to hear them release new music. Is their latest offering holding up? Well, let's talk about it.
The Review
Earlier this month, the band released their 11th studio album - The Father of Make Believe. And I can confidently say that it does the opposite of its title and further cements COHEED AND CAMRIA as absolute goliaths within the contemporary prog-rock genre. There’s certainly nothing ‘make-believe’ about it.
The opening track, ‘Yesterday’s Lost’, is quintessential COHEED. Contemplative piano folds then seamlessly into an acoustic guitar second half, with front man Claudio Sanchez softly holding firm at the helm. Followed up immediately by a powerful ‘Goodbye Sunshine’. And, although perhaps not holding the same dark gravitas as previous 2nd songs over either career, they remain loyal to their vintage ‘bait-and-switch’ music style. But without leaving anyone disappointed. A super catchy chorus, held together with Josh Eppard’s drumming patterns and earworm melodies, it will become a classic sing-along. Not ones for putting on the brakes, ‘Searching for Tomorrow’ is a swift uppercut track keeping the listener engaged. Further down the list, ‘Meri of Mercy’ glues together a residual haunt of Emo-forward songs of the band’s back catalogue, for me resembling ‘Here to Mars’ off their 8th LP The Colour Before The Sun.
As TFOM carries on, they continue to throw spanners in the works. Calling on their classic-rock influences in songs such as ‘Blind Side Sonny’, which then builds into something that’s uniquely COHEED. Or acoustic changes of pace like in ‘Corner My Confidence’. A ballad, the album was requesting to showcase their musicianship; further boasting that Coheed have something for everyone. Then not fooling anyone, immediately picking up again with ‘Some Who Can’ with their particular, punchy, ‘go-get-em, kid!’ sound.
The album reaches its peak with the four-part suite ‘The Continuum’. A climax seamlessly shifting from heavy metal to sweeping prog and ethereal soundscapes, before closing with ‘So It Goes’, a track brimming with introspection and musical inventiveness.
The Verdict
The Father of Make Believe is yet another stronghold in The Amory Wars saga and COHEED AND CAMBRIA’s lore. But, for those outside the know, it is absolutely approachable for people there for the tunes. The album is ripe for the picking, serving up a feast for old fans and newcomers alike. Rich with songs that deserve to be played loud, sung along with iconic COHEED style choruses, & I sure hope your air-drumming skills are in shape.
The Father of Make Believe is available now on all platforms!
