Label: Virgin
Released: 14th March 2025
Coheed and Cambria continue their expansive world-building with ‘Vaxis Act III: The Father of Make Believe’. While furthering the story of The Amory Wars, the band shifts to a more personal perspective in their songwriting: lead vocalist Claudio Sanchez embodies The Father of Make Believe. Dedicated fans can delve deeper into the lore, yet the music remains accessible to more casual listeners.
The album opens with haunting strings and piano, evoking soul-settling calmness. Sanchez’s soft tone, backed by gentle instrumentals, creates a mournful yet healing lullaby. The shimmering ‘Goodbye Sunshine’ follows, with its arm-waving, chest-clutching chorus.
‘Meri of Merci’ offers a laid-back vibe with a ukulele feature, written in tribute to Sanchez’s grandparents, who inspired characters within Coheed’s overarching story. ‘Blind Side Sonny’ delivers thrash, full of throat-scratching vocal frys. The chorus of “Blood! We want blood! We want blood!” seems destined for live performance call-and-response. The album’s latter segment comprises an intersecting four-part run titled ‘The Continuum’; the jaunty finale ‘So It Goes’ closes the record with a sci-fi soundtrack flourish.
‘The Father of Make Believe’ showcases remarkable range, balancing mellow and metal. Much of the music evokes the intensity of an epic RPG boss fight – rousing, righteous stuff.
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