Coheed And Cambria
Good Apollo, I'm Burning Star IV, Volume Two: No World for Tomorrow

THE REVIEW

Two years after the first installment, the sequel to "Good Apollo, I'm Burning Star IV, Volume One: From Fear Through the Eyes of Madness" is released.

This new work connects a lot to the sounds of the previous one, further distancing itself from the first two. This new lp is a concept album inspired by the sci-fi comic series, "The Amory Wars" conceived by the frontman and leader of the group Claudio Sanchez.

In this album, the psychedelic-experimental tones of the previous one are decidedly more subdued, leaving more room for the band's '70s Heavy Metal flair. In some passages, you can immediately notice the reminiscences of Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, and Thin Lizzy, although never abandoning the subtle nuances reminiscent of Yes rather than Pink Floyd. The single "The Running Free" perfectly illustrates what has just been said. The choruses (granting the benefit of my few listens) are not entirely convincing, too often spilling into power-pop refrains typical of all the little bands pretending to do rock on MTV.

There are certainly good moments; just listen to tracks like "Mother Superior" and "The Hound (Of Blood and Rank)" with an opening that is a clear homage to the Who. A separate discussion should be made for the long final suite divided into 5 parts, as this is indeed the real gem of the whole work where rock tinges with increasingly progressive tones until culminating in the masterpiece "On the Brink", a piece of over 7 minutes that is very reminiscent of albums like "Meddles" or "The Wall" (note the break akin to "In the Flesh") where experimentation mixes with progressive and jazz.

Ultimately, a CD that lacks a bit of originality, but is honest overall. Definitely not a masterpiece that will remain in the annals, but a good album, without great pretensions.