They're always so solid! But only now am I coming around to the album listening to it on speakers quite loud. First time got me dozing off on my heapdphones, but that actually doesn't mean anything essentially, sometimes I'm just too tired for headphones, though this time I've got a feeling it just also works better being played loud.
Vaxis II is very solid through and through. IMO it doesn't have the epic anthems that Coheed is known for like Unheavenly Creatures and Dark Sentencer from Vaxis I (just as recent examples). However, they continue to evolve and can totally tell Claudio has been having some fun with synthesizers. I'll forever be along for the ride with Coheed, and I love how they can mesh new ideas with their core sound. Can't wait to see these new songs live in August.
As yet another fan of the early stuff who hasn’t kept up with their recent releases, I’m so excited to give this one a listen. Great review Adam!
I've been a Coheed fan since In Keeping Secrets and I've stuck by them ever since. While Vaxis 1 had some standout stuff like Dark Sentencer and The Gutter, I think Vaxis 2 is honestly their best full album since Afterman.
Come join us in the album thread if you haven't yet! Coheed and Cambria - Vaxis II: A Window of the Waking Mind (June 24, 2022) • forum.chorus.fm
I don't really understand the hate for Bad Man; in my opinion, that song could have easily been on Good Apollo or The Afterman. I guess what I mean is that there are a few tracks that are way more "left-field" than that one. Yes, I'm looking at you, track #5.
I also barely follow the mythology. I think it's cool it's there and I like to get the gist of things but I just wanna hear 'em shred. Extremely unpopular take....I don't really like comic books/graphic novels [braces for getting doxxed, death threats, losing everything I love, etc]
Probably my AOTY ? Was not expecting something like this. I knew it would be good, but holy balls. That dancy song too is
Thank you! Even though it was a single, I feeeel like Tenspeed is one of their most underrated songs, but maybe that's because back when it came I had a friend that hated it. And it's a decent map for the pop leanings on this record [shrug emoji]
I seriously think it might be the best song to introduce Coheed to a non-listener. Fun fact: I saw them back in 2018 right before Vaxis came out and they played it along with most of their hits. I was pleasantly surprised to know it was still part of their set rotation.
Pretty cool insight on the critical reception and fan reactions to this record from Claudio in this interview with Grammy dot com: https://www.grammy.com/news/coheed-...king-mind-claudio-sanchez-new-album-interview