THE AFTERMAN - ASCENSION

I have been using prog archives for a long time to discover new music and I think a review from me has been long overdue. I am a huge Coheed and Cambria fan, having experienced them live in an intimate setting. However, I will try to rate this album objectively, from a Prog perspective. Thus ends my little disclaimer and begins the review.

In many ways Afterman is a return to form for Coheed. Gone is the overproduced and compressed sound we had in Black Rainbow. (Thankfully). And it is very reminiscent of some of their best work. But there are a three very large reasons why this album only gets a 3 star rating.

1. The album doesn't take them anywhere new. Coheed has changed their style through every album... not dramatically but in some small way for better or worse. Afterman does not really take them new places. Every song feels like a call back to a previous album. Hollywood the Cracked feels like a Black Rainbow song and Vic the Butcher feels like an In Keeping Secrets song, and Evagria feels like something from IV, and Subtraction is material straight up from Claudio's side project, Prize Fighter Inferno, and so on. While this approach was well-appreciated by many fans and myself, I still can't help feeling disappointed that they took the easy path and didn't give me any substantial change.

2. The Afterman is a double album but for some reason it has been split into two separately released parts. I'm not sure if this is for marketing reasons or what, but this is the same thing we saw with Pain of Salvation and the Road Salt saga. Just release the whole thing at once, I say. The album ending feels abrupt and the length short compared to their earlier work.

3. The All-Mother's voice. Ew. Sorry I just can't take this album seriously whenever it talks. And this album desperately wishes to be taken seriously.

Having said that, I enjoy each song on this album. For instance the first track, Domino, gives us a wow moment with the beginning guitar solo and slow build up. The first verse will grab you and get you ready for an excellent journey. Unfortunately, the song never really delivers on its promise. There are still great moments in it, but it is held back by a lack luster 'first chorus' and a couple dragging jam-sections with boxing dialogue in the background. Claudio's vocals are in good form here and the conclusion really pulls it together in an energetic and emotional ending. The other stand out track for me is Evagria, which feels more recycled than Domino, but still boasts great composition and enough variation to hold my attention.

In short this album gets 3 stars. A solid release for Coheed. Fans will be pleased with the new material that stays true to their style and personality. And those who are not fans could give Domino or Evagria a try. Good, but non-essential.