Coheed & Cambria - Unheavenly Creatures

New Coheed. It must be hard to make new albums when you've already out put out some of the most epic rock albums in recent memory. I wasn't a big fan of The Color Before The Sun but this sounds like a step back towards older stuff. That's a good thing.

Coheed & Cambria - Wake Up

I was going to post something loud. It is Metal Monday after all. In lieu of monster riffs I've opted for some acoustic Claudio Sanchez and Travis Stever. I trust you'll forgive me.

Coheed & Cambria - Here To Mars

I have no idea how this didn't come to my head two days ago. Embarrassing. Anyway, am I the only one who thinks that lyric videos have been done to death? This video would actually be pretty cool without the damn letters flying across the screen.

Coheed & Cambria - You Got Spirit, Kid

Cheer up old bean. Life goes on without Deaddit. This will work. New Coheed album coming out October 9!!! That is faaaantastic news. Here's the first track made public!

Davenport Cabinet - Sorry For Me

In case you've forgotten, this is the side project of Travis Stever from Coheed & Cambria.

Coheed & Cambria - Neverender Dallas

Still on the road, so here's a totally awesome show by a totally awesome band performing their epic In Keeping Secrets Of Silent Earth: 3 album in its entirety about a week ago in Dallas as part of their Neverender show. Double encore bonus! So sick.

1. The Ring In Return

2. In Keeping Secrets Of Silent Earth: 3

3. Cuts Marked In The March Of Men

4. Three Evils

5. The Crowing

6. Blood Red Summer

7. Faint Of Hearts

8. Backend Of Forever

9. Al The Killer

10. A Favor House Atlantic

11. The Light & The Glass

12. 2113

ENCORE I

1. Neverender

2. Good Night, Fair Lady

3. Number City

ENCORE II

1. The Lying Lies & Dirty Secrets Of Miss Erica Court

2. Ten Speed

3. Welcome Home

Coheed & Cambria - Number City

Brand spankin' new video for this great track. Coheed with trumpets? Awesome!

Coheed & Cambria - Dark Side Of Me

I

Best of 2012 Part 7

Well here we are. It was a rush at the end, but I made it just in time. As I said in part 1, this was a strange year in music and though there were some good albums, there's probably only one or two that will eventually contend for any best-of-the-decade list. Instead many of these titles might in the future be looked at as turning point albums, after which the artists either achieved greatness or faded away. Only time will tell.

The three albums that sit atop my chart are probably the most polarizing of the list in that there is very little room for middle ground in their enjoyment. Either you'll love them, or hate them. It's obvious at this point that indie shoegaze isn't my thing, so if you're up for more guts and glory, then prepare for battle...

#3

Swans

The Seer

This is by some distance the darkest album I've listened to this year, and for a long time before that. The opening track is titled "Lunacy", which is eminently poignant given that large parts of this album sound as if it were written in an asylum. I cannot stress enough how insane it is. That it was conceived at all is near sorcery, and as a recording it is a triumph.

Nearly two hours of sheer terror are the best way to describe this. It's not a heavy metal album, it doesn't have shrieking vocals or slashing guitars, in fact just the opposite. This is a kind of slow torture, a creeping dread, a shrouded evil that seeps into your being in a droning, unrelenting, ever-building manner. You might be thinking "why would I subject myself to this?", and to be fair, you might be right. If you can handle the dark, however, you will go places few other auditory expositors are able, never mind willing, to take you. This is a monumental achievement in post-rock expressionism, and it is impossible to appreciate it from listening to clips or even a single track at a time, but here are some samples anyway. Don't say I didn't warn you.

Lunacy

The Seer Returns

Avatar

#2

Death Grips

The Money Store

When I first heard "Ex-Military" last year, I didn't really know what to think. In the end, I really liked it. Similarly, even with that past exposure and a general idea of what this album might be like, I still didn't know quite what to make of it on first listen. This is not controlled chaos, this is absolute madness. It makes Kanye's dark twisted fantasy look like a cotton candy carnival ride.

The production on this is just nuts. It's sharks with fricken laser beams on acid. Distorted wub bass, warped vocals, bit crushed kicks, this is future music and how. You probably hate it. Lots of people do. I can't explain why it's so cool, it just is. There is nobody that sounds like these guys, and as if one dope album wasn't enough for this year, they also put out No Love Web Deep, which is almost as awesome and very nearly also made this list. It's just mind boggling stuff that bashes its way into your psyche and leaves you wondering what on earth they could possibly come up with next.

Hustle Bones

I've Seen Footage

Hacker

#1

Coheed & Cambria

The Afterman: Ascension

I make no apologies for my admiration of Claudio Sanchez and his seriously awesome band Coheed and Cambria. For whatever reason these guys are often dismissed as being pop-punk because they have obsessive fans, many of whom are of the younger generation. They are also a concept band that has a fully-fleshed illustrated fantasy story to accompany the themes of their albums. Frankly, I couldn't care less about the comics. These guys kick ass, plain and simple. Claudio's voice can take some getting used to but writing soaring, epic progressive tracks is an art that he has mastered.

This is the first half of what is a two-part double album, but by itself this is the best album that Coheed have released since their sophomore album in 2003. The return of Josh Eppard to the drums and the addition of Zach Cooper on bass seem to have lifted the band to new heights and given them an energy not seen in ages. Though this is a short album, only nine songs and just under forty minutes, every track is memorable and as a whole the record feels like an adventure. The second part comes out in February and all indications are that it will be just as good if not better. It's been a big year for Sanchez, and long may his new found zeal continue.

Domino The Destitute

The Afterman

Goodnight, Fair Lady

EP #1

Brother Ali

The Bite Marked Heart

One of the good guys of hip hop came out with two discs this year, this being the first and shorter release, and also the best. With seven great tracks that all feature trademark smooth production and even smoother lyrics. The combination of soul and R&B vibes with tight beats keeps you bouncing from start to finish. The Brother just seems to be getting better and better.

Shine On

I'll Be Around

Years

That's all folks! See you in 2013!

Coheed & Cambria - A Rush And A Push And The Land Is Ours

A cool acoustic cover of The Smiths by Travis Stever and Claudio Sanchez.

Coheed & Cambria - Iron Fist

This is from an album that will be released next year. Awesome.

Coheed & Cambria - Domino The Destitute

Well it's been a while, blog. I've been busy working on my own tracks, and took a little vacation. Might as well bring this back with a bang. World premiere of the new Coheed track. Thank you me.

Coheed & Cambria - Mother Superior

This, ladies and gentlemen, is how it's done. Welcome back Josh. 

Coheed & Cambria - Somebody That I Used To Know

Oh look, somebody else covered this song, and it's awesome!

Claudio Sanchez - Sentry The Defiant

Late afternoon addition! Claudio just posted this one, it's an acoustic version of one of the songs from the upcoming Coheed & Cambria album. The description reads:

"Instead of making you wait until the album is released, I thought I'd share my excitement for this song with you now. I decided with this piece to video document its creation. This is literally the first time I played the song through in its entirety. His name is Sentry The Defiant. - Claudio"

Best of 2010 Part 3

I saw TRON: Legacy last night and I have to say that Rotten Tomatoes, for once, got it wrong. Well, they're not always right, but they're usually better than most one-off sites. IMDB used to be pretty reliable too, but lately I've seen some pretty dire rankings. I mean jeez, Inception was a good-ish movie, but number six of all time? Let's get real here. These are, of course, merely reflections of several votes and critics, but still. You'd think that in the end the good reviewers would balance out the rubbish ones. A ying-and-yang good-vs-evil kind of thing right?

Back to the point. I thought TRON was pretty good. Sure, the story was lacking, just like Avatar, but the acting was decent enough, the visuals were spectacular, and the music! Step aside John Williams, there are two new score sheriffs in town, and they have sweet robot helmets. With Jonny Greenwood and Trent Reznor also doing film scores recently, are we beginning to see something of a crossover trend here?

Check it out, it's worth seeing on the big screen. The IMAX 3D was awesome again. I'm not a fan of the 3D in general, but for certain films it works brilliantly. Just don't go buying one of those stupid televisions just yet.

Right, now where were we... ah yes, here we go...

#15

Michael Cassette

Temporarity

Oddly enough, I actually came across this album thanks to a post by Deadmau5 in November, and what a find! Ironically Joel's album didn't make this list, but this great album by Finnish duo Erkka Lempiäinen and Matti Heininen did. They go by the pseudonym Michael Cassette, all sneaky like, but don't be fooled! This is the work of two similarly inspired artists just beginning to show the world their wares.

Drawing largely from '80s synth pop, and surely Lifelike and Giorgio Moroder, they melt into your mind with dreamy moog riffs and uplifting themes. "Ghost In The Machine" is the single that grabbed my attention, and the album hooked me in. There's a cover of Jan Hammer's "Crockett's Theme" of Miami Vice fame as well that isn't as good as the original, but is still pretty unique. It's an album that probably isn't for everyone, but I give it two thumbs up.

Kilimanjaro

Magenta Sunset

Nevermore

#14

Coheed & Cambria

Year Of The Black Rainbow

Those who know me probably know that Coheed & Cambria are one of my favourite bands. They always rock the house, and this album is no exception. That said, I personally feel it's their weakest album to date, but it still easily makes it into my best of list. These guys are always kind of hit and miss with people, as Claudio has a distinct voice that takes some getting used to. Give it some time, though, and you'll find that these guys are not your run-of-the-mill punk metal band.

My complaints from this album stem mostly from what I feel is overproduction on some songs. If they stripped out some of electronic noise and replaced some of the drum machines with live drums I think it would sound better, but it's still pretty fantastic. "Here We Are Juggernaut" is an amazing song that I posted in acoustic style here. "World Of Lines" is another, and then there's... well just scroll down a little! Simply an awesome band who I can't say enough good things about.

The Broken

Far

Pearl Of The Stars

#13

Janelle Monáe

The ArchAndroid

Janelle Monáe is one of the finds of the year. What I love about her is that even though she's on a major label she can actually sing and has real talent. Almost as soon as the album came out it was talked about as one of the best of the year, and for good reason. It's just filled with great vibes and oozes energy.

Look beyond "Tightrope", easily one of the songs of the year, and there are more than enough great songs on here to justify putting this one on repeat. There's something for everyone on here, whether you're into chilled out grooves, dancy beats, and flat out funk. Her varied style and tight production reminds me a lot of K-Os, which is definitely a good thing. Her music also carries a message, best embodied in the first track below. You'll see some great stuff from this one in the future, you can bet on that.

Cold War

Dance Or Die

Neon Valley Street

BONUS BEATS!

Ante Perry vs Tube & Berger - Ever Never

Part 4 comin' atcha tomorrow.

Coheed & Cambria - Delerium Trigger

The Franchise went to see Coheed & Cambria last night at the Sound Academy in Toronto. He had a ticket for me and sadly I still couldn't make it to Ontario to see it. This has been a recurring theme for me, I've previously had tickets for ridiculous bands I won't even mention (Tool was one) only having to miss out for various reasons. As I'm currently vigorously planning my overtaking of the world, I'm hoping that this will never happen again.

The good news is that after three months of work and waiting for parts, I have finally successfully repaired my old failed hard drive and restored countless hours of awesomeness that will soon be released upon the electronic universe to change everything. The anticipation is killing me.

I digress. Coheed & Cambria are awesome. One of my favourite bands ever, easily top 10, and this song might be my favourite of theirs. This is from their DVD "The Last Supper" which was taken from the Hammerstein Ballroom, and it's awesome.

Sorry I missed it Patrick, the next show's on me.

Claudio Sanchez - Here We Are Juggernaut

This is Coheed & Cambria lead singer Claudio Sanchez playing a brilliant acoustic version of the epic track off of the new album "Year Of The Black Rainbow". It's not the best Coheed album, but that's kind of like saying it's the least greatest chocolate in a stack of Swiss decadence. You can check out the original version here for comparison. This guy's probably my favourite lead singer out there right now, and this is a pretty good example of why.

And this guy writes comic books in his spare time...

Coheed & Cambria - In Keeping Secrets Of Silent Earth: 3

I stand corrected. As much as Bonnaroo looks awesome, Coachella looks even better. Could it be that I'm actually completely out of touch with the goings-on of the massive summer festivals? Could there yet be ever better ones to venture to? The plot thickens.

One of the main reasons that I think the Coachella has a better lineup is that besides having many of the great acts signed up for Bonnaroo, it also has some other bands that I absolutely love. First and foremost has to be Coheed & Cambria. Probably my favourite band right now, and I can just imagine being in the audience and seeing the kind of mayhem I've posted below. This is probably the greatest intro to a music DVD I've ever seen. Actually I can't really imagine being there. That's why I need to see it in person.

Mind-blowing DVD. By the way they have a new track out for anyone interested...