A WINDOW OF THE WAKING MIND

In the early 2000s, there has been an increase of new and exciting Prog bands, however they were not following a traditional form of the genre that was introduced back in the classic days. These bands were a lot more punkish in their form, bridging the gap between almost classical harmonies and structure with loud and punkish demeanors. These bands, such as The Mars Volta, Protest The Hero, and The Dear Hunter contributed and evolved this style into new heights. I like to call this style of Prog rock as Prog Punk. However there is a band that is looked upon pretty favorably in this Prog punk style. This band explores a ton of nuanced themes and concepts to the point where most of the band's discography is essentially one big rock opera, that only a few bands like Magma or (maybe) King Gizzard and The Lizard Wizard can hold a candle too. I am of course talking about Coheed and Cambria. With a steady track record of consistently great albums, Coheed and Cambria has managed to become one of my favorite bands in recent months ever since I first heard their first album, The Second Stage Turbine Blade. When I heard they were making a new album, safe to say I was pretty hyped, and now that it's out I thought to see what awaits the band on these special occasions.

As for a concept band, Vaxis II is a sequel or a second part to their last album, The Unheavenly Creatures. I felt that release was great but had a few lacking aspects to it in retrospect to other albums, so I was intrigued with how they could possibly improve upon that album, however the opening track "The Embers of Fire" definitely delivers on a strong hook for the album. It is a beautiful piano melody with singing from a child with a few echoes and reverbs here and there, until it explodes into this epic orchestrated harmony. It not only sets an example on the album's big epic nature, but also sets an example on how far the band has come from a smaller indie band, to this highly influential group that can make a profound concept album. They set the bar high immediately, hoping they will remain.

Right after that we get Beautiful Losers. If The Embers of Fire was the Big Bang of an opener then this song is like the asteroid that caused the ice age on earth because my god is this such a banger. How the song just builds and builds to some amazing choruses and melodic changes is just super good. I do think the song is a little too short for comfort, if it was a tiny bit longer and it had a bit more added onto it then it would be nearly perfect, but I do think there is so much to appreciate this song with, especially the singing. Claudio Sanchez's voice ages like a fine wine and here, he may just be at his peak. Super crisp and tight but still with that hardcore punk tone in his voice you see in some bands like MCR or Green Day, which hugely fits with this awesome song. This album is just brimming with quality already which is highly appreciated.

If you thought that was good, then Comatose takes things in a new but highly appreciated direction, going for a less big symphonic hard rock sound, stripping back a bit and letting the more proggy elements of their sound take a backseat for a more punk-like sound. Now the Prog fan in me is rather disappointed, but the stronger Coheed and Cambria fan in me knows that this ain't new for the band to pull, and as it stands they sound better than ever in this style. I gotta appreciate the guitars here on this album. They always had an art in their guitar that might just rival even some of the best guitarists. Mixed with the great production qualities of Zakk Cervini and the band never sounded better. But I do have to say again, this album definitely is a tad more pop-like than most of their other works, which I don't mind, but I do wish there is a tiny bit more to these songs. Nonetheless, still super great.

Keeping the track of hard rocking songs, Shoulders takes a more rhythmic hard rock approach with a seriously awesome leading riff. This is definitely the most hard hitting song on the album that combines Coheed and Cambria's usual sound with something a lot more in tune with technical djent sounds. It's super loud, super bassy, and just super technically sound that it's slowly becoming one of my favorite song from the band, especially with that distorted guitar solo near the end. I have to say this again, the band seriously has a distinct art form with their guitar playing that is seriously impressive. I cannot get enough of this song if I am being real here, it's just that good.

So we've had big hard rock epics that showcased the more punkish side of the band, more orchestral sounding songs that shows the proggy side of the same coin, but there is one song that goes into a completely new direction. A Disappearing Act explores a combination of their usual style with spacey synthwave music, and to be honest?it works. It works really well surprisingly. I am honestly surprised the band hasn't pulled this type of style yet but hey better late than never cause I really like it. The synths mesh so well with the drums and singing that it feels like an adventure in itself. It's just a really fun song that makes me think of space and because of that I think this is one of the strongest songs on the album as a whole, and even despite its more poppy nature, I still cannot help but adore it.

We have been moving a bit away from the more Prog elements the band has, and I think the band knew this so they made up for it for a pretty interesting piece called Love Murder One. The main riff is arguably the oddest the band has done, plus the drumming is also pretty odd in the grand scheme of things. Now I will say it is a fun song, really, but it is also the weakest since it kinda broke the flow for me. I expected another great hard rocking jam, but I got something a tad too different from the flow this album is already known for. I do have to say that I do not hate this song, by any means it's still really good, the flow is incredible and the chorus beat is just magnificent, but if you do listen to this album just understand that this song might slightly put you off the album's line and sinker a tad bit.

That slight detour later and we get to Blood. Think A Disappearing Act but with the band's more punkish sound. A lot of spacey synths mixed with some highly talented guitar work to create something truly immaculate. It's almost Pink Floyd in a way, but if they were inspired by power punk and metal bands from the 2000s. Not only is it a master class of a song but it truly creates a sense of wonder and adventure that the band always strives for. Super solid and well made.

Next up is The Liars Club. Coheed and Cambria are very known for their more progressive punk nature, that is obvious, so them keeping that consistency of sound up for several years and improving it throughout is truly a testament to their craft. The Liars Club definitely still delivers on that sort of sound and style that we're so familiar with, but very much know first hand that things will be a little different each song. However looking at it critically, I cannot find much in the wake of anything new. By now I feel as though the band is creating a sort of same song and dance routine with this album. I would say this would be a huge issue if the songs weren't good, they still are, however it does get boring to have a three minute hard rock song play throughout a whole album with some sprinkling in variation. It feels not a step down but more like a step in a puddle, somewhere that can be easily avoided and not at all a major inconvenience, but it will ruin your new pair of shoes, and that's what's important.

That tangent aside, the next song Bad Man is actually pretty different. A lot more use on the drums and synths rather than guitars, going for a more sci-fi feel once more. This is something I truly gained a soft spot for. Not only does it utilizes more introspective talents the band can use but it also allows them to take a breather from their harder hitting songs. It's just really fun to hear a galactic sounding song, and this song is really fun.

Now after that we get Our Love. This strips pretty much every hard rock element and is mostly an atmospheric song with lyrics and barely any beats. You know those musical numbers from most modern children films where the main character is expressing their love to their partner? That is basically this, and I still have to say I really like this change of pace. It allows the band to explore new sounds that might make them appreciate the quieter moments. Experimentation and exploring new ideas and sounds is always a good thing I say, and while this song may be a tiny bit lacking, I cannot deny it does feel very sweet, even in a somewhat cheesy way.

If you thought Love Murder One was proggy than you've nothing yet cause Ladders of Supremacy cranks that switch and revs it up to the point where it's now straight up Prog Metal, but while Lover Murder One was a tiny bump in the road, this song delivers strong melodies, riffs, hooks, and pure epicness that truly revels in the flavors Coheed and Cambria was provided. I get strong Between The Buried and Me vibes from the first half of the song and some great Mars Volta vibes on the second half. It's a melodic powerhouse and straight up brilliance, and I hope to see more of this in the future.

Rise, Naianasha (Cut The Cord) is a back from their usual punk nature, but it combines the proggy aspects of the last song and just blends it together, truly creating a progressive punk jam. A ton of impressive melodies mixed with a ton of epic power chords and some impressively good playing skills and you got yourself a one way ticket to one of the band's best and most consistent song to be made. It's quite impressive how this band can consistently find a way to bridge the gap between punk and Prog so well, but they manage to do it, and I gotta respect them for that.

Speaking of which, the title track is no joke. This is an 8 minute banger of a song. It's an explosion of epic harmonies with some nice soft moments here and there to really add so much more to the song. As an album closer, this is by far one of the band's best works, with not only a grand start but a grand finisher. Even if the road that leads to this amazing grand spectacle of a song was a tad rocky, the journey was worth it and I cannot say I was all too disappointed with this release, and this song makes me highly hopeful to see what awaits this band in the future.

While its consistency is both its detriment and its upside, I feel like the good outweighs the bad in this album in a ton of departments. It's one of the band's strongest albums in a long time and I say that every song can be considered a smash hit, even the ones that might seem highly unlikely to be ones. It's a fun, epic, and all around grand album that you should definitely check out.