Coheed and Cambria v. Second Stage

[chknptpie]

The album came out in 2007... we've had a lot of time to think about this lol

[ariich]

Just popping in to say Luke, you were right. Vaxis II is right up my street.

I haven't changed my mind about their earlier albums and I tried Vaxis I as well and it was pretty good but still lacking in punch and engaging melodies. Vaxis II is so much more enjoyable.

Was it an intentional shift in direction by Claudio? But why for act II and not the first album in this new series? Or did he just suddenly learn how to write good hooks?

[Lonk]

Just popping in to say Luke, you were right. Vaxis II is right up my street.

I haven't changed my mind about their earlier albums and I tried Vaxis I as well and it was pretty good but still lacking in punch and engaging melodies. Vaxis II is so much more enjoyable.

Was it an intentional shift in direction by Claudio? But why for act II and not the first album in this new series? Or did he just suddenly learn how to write good hooks?

[twosuitsluke]

Just popping in to say Luke, you were right. Vaxis II is right up my street.

I haven't changed my mind about their earlier albums and I tried Vaxis I as well and it was pretty good but still lacking in punch and engaging melodies. Vaxis II is so much more enjoyable.

Was it an intentional shift in direction by Claudio? But why for act II and not the first album in this new series? Or did he just suddenly learn how to write good hooks?

Yea, get the fuck outta this thread with talk like that. Coheed have more hooks than DTF has objective vs. subjective debates.

But yea, glad you're digging it. It is such a satisfying album and one that has shot up to become my most scrobbled, in short order.

[twosuitsluke]

Following the Record Store Day release on vinyl Live at the Starland Ballroom is now on all streaming services...

https://open.spotify.com/album/0jznSbE2RDsFDR0cgccWtH?si=yeuU45jjQgWiEzG2SJ2Nyw&context=spotify%3Aalbum%3A0jznSbE2RDsFDR0cgccWtH

[cramx3]

Following the Record Store Day release on vinyl Live at the Starland Ballroom is now on all streaming services...

https://open.spotify.com/album/0jznSbE2RDsFDR0cgccWtH?si=yeuU45jjQgWiEzG2SJ2Nyw&context=spotify%3Aalbum%3A0jznSbE2RDsFDR0cgccWtH

Oh thats cool they have a live album from my local venue, Starland.

[twosuitsluke]

Apparently new single The Joke is coming out on May the 8th. Nothing official by the band yet but there are murmurs.

[Lonk]

I'm ready!

[Puppies_On_Acid]

I'm kind of hoping for another direction change for the band. I haven't really loved anything they've done since the Afterman stuff. The Color Before the Sun was awful and the last 2 albums, while OK, just didn't capture the same magic.....In my opinion, of course.

I don't really want them to rehash anything, but a change is needed, I think.

[twosuitsluke]

I don't think a change is needed personally, but I'd welcome it all the same. I adore the last album, mainly due to my personal connection to the lyrical content. It was able to put into words a lot of my feelings (and fears) since becoming a dad to a neurodiverse child.

[DTA]

I feel like the Vaxis albums are the best releases since GA1. Catchy songs along with some more expansive, complex songs is all I need from this band.

[twosuitsluke]

You can hear Coheed's new single The Joke on Daniel P Carter's Radio 1 Rock Show, at 1:28:50...

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m001yn20

I'm not sure after two listens. It has that same production from the previous album where something feels 'off' and some parts are just too loud and imposing. Something about this sound reminds me of The Color Before the Sun (which I don't hate, for the record) meets Vaxis II.

I'm sure it will grow, like most Coheed does. The single is officially out tomorrow.

[chknptpie]

I really need to hear how this fits in with the whole album. It's hard for me to judge, first gut is ... huh

[Metro]

First impression, it sounds like a b-side from the last album. Very similar production, which I agree sounds off. Doesn't stick out to me much.

[Metro]

https://store.coheedandcambria.com/collections/all-exc-music/products/the-joke-deranged-7-single-coke-bottle-clear-blood-splatter-vinyl

Looks like I was right, it is a leftover track from Vaxis II

This is a special release for Coheed and Cambria, a very rare standalone 2 song release. The Joke is a track that came from album sessions but felt better paired with the re-release and remix/remaster of the fan favorite, yet hard to find 2012 track, Deranged, which is a homage to the synergy between Batman and the Joker, and how every hero needs a villain. The Joke lives in its own lane with this other rare track, and we felt it was a great bridge between the band's most recent album, Vaxis 2: The Window of the Waking Mind, and their yet to be announced follow up album coming soon on Virgin Music.

Music video: https://youtu.be/-E7gNsy-OoI

[chknptpie]

It's grown on me, which is pretty normal for me regarding Coheed really. Few things....

Claudio said the video has an easter egg for NWFT
Also... Virgin Music? Interesting switch.

[Nel_Annette]

These two songs are probably the most I've enjoyed the band since the Afterman era. Great stuff. Not to say I don't like the last three albums, there's songs on them I like, but nothing's hit me the same way their old stuff used to (I did think Vaxis II was a big improvement over the first, though. And "Ghost" is a really pretty song.)

[SoundscapeMN]

The Joker laughing at Teal'c from Stargate?

[nick_z]

Josh Eppard Drumeo video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gnRlzGzUhc

Haven't watched any of it yet, but should be fun...love his drumming. I'll probably check it out this weekend...

[twosuitsluke]

Josh Eppard Drumeo video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gnRlzGzUhc

Haven't watched any of it yet, but should be fun...love his drumming. I'll probably check it out this weekend...

Thanks for sharing dude. Only watched Comatose so far, but gonna come back and watch the whole thing.

Josh is one of my all time favourite drummers, and he fucking kills it on Vaxis II. I didn't realise he plays Comatose bass with one foot! It's such a fun song and one I fully drum on my desk, table, steering wheel, knee, whenever I hear it.

He certainly gives Lars a run for his money when it comes to facial expressions as well

[Puppies_On_Acid]

Love his drumming.

[Lonk]

I would love to see him playing a bigger kit one day. I love that he doesn't use a double pedal, and how creative he is with the limited amount of pieces in his drum set. But give him some more toms, a few playful cymbals and I'm sure he would come up with some interesting stuff.

Great video 

[twosuitsluke]

Just finished watching.

Man, I love Josh so much. He seems such a genuine, humble dude and plays with such passion. He may not be the most gifted drummer but I think he writes such interesting drum parts, and being my favourite band, they clearly do something for me.

I never realised he played with such a small kit, or he plays his kick drum with one foot, which is impressive. 

I can feel a Coheed binge coming on now I've watched this.

[SoundscapeMN]

yeah, great to see Josh on there..even doing some 3 tunes.

I'd love to see Dino Campanella from dredg or Darren King from Mutemath make an appearance on Drumeo.

[The Realm]

Watched the video of Josh. What a great guy! Really enjoyed it and such an energetic and fun to watch drummer (never seen Coheed live before). He does have his own style.

A couple of the songs chosen to play aren't Coheed songs I enjoy that much, although Gravity's Union is one of my all time favourite songs from the band.

[SoundscapeMN]

Josh Eppard documentary coming

 "At the Cost of Everything - Josh Eppard's Story"

https://vimeo.com/985151196/bc27621625

[nick_z]

Watched about half of the Drumeo video and it was fantastic. Love his drumming.

[nick_z]

Finished it last night and it was a blast...

Is anyone familiar with this Peacebomb (?) band he mentions?

Also cool that he's pimping Three 

[twosuitsluke]

Finished it last night and it was a blast...

Is anyone familiar with this Peacebomb (?) band he mentions?

Also cool that he's pimping Three 

No, not familiar with them. Was that the band he said Portnoy chose to go on tour with Dream Theater? 

[Lonk]

No, not familiar with them. Was that the band he said Portnoy chose to go on tour with Dream Theater?

The band 3 is the one he mentioned with Portnoy.

https://music.youtube.com/channel/UCOXu_07olBMVFSzkIDgJo5g

I saw them opened for Coheed around 2012 and it was a great show.

[nick_z]

The band 3 is the one he mentioned with Portnoy.

https://music.youtube.com/channel/UCOXu_07olBMVFSzkIDgJo5g

I saw them opened for Coheed around 2012 and it was a great show.

Yep, exactly. Incidentally, Luke, if you don't know them you should absolutely check out their The End is Begun album, at least. Really cool and quirky prog (Joey Eppard, Josh's brother, sings and plays guitar)

[twosuitsluke]

I have listened to The End is Begun and Wake Pig, but neither really clicked with me. I'll go back and give them a try.

I swear at one point Josh mixes up who he said Portnoy wanted to take on tour, as he definitely does say 3 were invited, bit couldn't afford to be able to join them. But I swear at one point he was talking about Peacebomb going with them. It's more likely I was confused though.

[Lonk]

I have listened to The End is Begun and Wake Pig, but neither really clicked with me. I'll go back and give them a try.

I swear at one point Josh mixes up who he said Portnoy wanted to take on tour, as he definitely does say 3 were invited, bit couldn't afford to be able to join them. But I swear at one point he was talking about Peacebomb going with them. It's more likely I was confused though.

He mentioned that DT wanted to take them on the European tour as well, but couldn't afford it.

[jammindude]

Personally, I think Wake Pig is absolutely amazing, and TEHB was disappointingly spotty.

I thought The Ghost You Gave to Me was a big improvement, but no one ever seems to talk about that one.

Wake Pig is still the best of those three. I haven't heard the earlier albums.

[nick_z]

Personally, I think Wake Pig is absolutely amazing, and TEHB was disappointingly spotty.

I thought The Ghost You Gave to Me was a big improvement, but no one ever seems to talk about that one.

Wake Pig is still the best of those three. I haven't heard the earlier albums.

I have revisited TEHB recently and I found it even better than I remembered. I love the guitar playing on it.