ARE THEY METAL?: Coheed and Cambria

New York prog band Coheed and Cambria are a band that dabbles in the world of science fiction and are one of the kings of the concept album. With every album telling a complex, intricate sci-fi story that could rival Star Wars in it's level of lore and storytelling. Along with a popular comic series that chronicles the events of the albums. Since 1995, the band has evolved from a progressive-emo hybrid sound to fully embracing a prog metal sound on the band's third album Good Apollo, I'm Burning Star IV, Volume One: From Fear Through The Eyes of Madness in 2005. With vocalist and lead guitarist Claudio Sanchez rivaling the legendary Geddy Lee in vocal highs.

Like Rush, the band seems to be in the same gray, murky area that people can't confirm if they truly are metal or not. They have very progressive metal sounding songs, but then catchy, pop and synth-heavy songs that are almost the opposite of metal. As a huge fan of the band myself, seeing the band multiple times, I thought that I would look into the band's discography and answer the question. Coheed and Cambria: Are They Metal?

The band released their 2002 debut album The Second Stage Turbine Blade. Many fans at the time called the band's record "emo-prog". With some elements showcasing the burgeoning emo scene of the early 2000's. Songs like "Time Consumer" showed the progressive elements coming through in their sound. Vocals definitely included the high-vocal range of Sanchez, but also featured the screamo-style screams. Many critics, including myself upon first hearing the band, were intrigued about the band to see where they were going with their sound. Luckily, we didn't have to wait long to hear where they going with their sophomore album.

2003 would show the release of the band's second album In Keeping Secrets of Silent Earth: 3. Though still emo-rock in nature on some songs ("Blood Red Summer"), even power-pop on others ("A Favor House Atlantic"), "The Light & The Glass", "The Crowing" & "Cuts Marked in The March of Men" showed progressive metal elements beginning to rise. Thus, the comparisons of Rush began to rise, as the band's popularity began to grow. After successful touring in support of the album, and being signed to a new label, the band would make a huge leap and stick the landing with their next release.

Two years later, the band would fully jump into the prog metal waters with the release of their third album Good Apollo, I'm Burning Star IV, Volume One: From Fear Through The Eyes of Madness. With the lead single "Welcome Home", the band truly went next level in production and sound. Some comparing it to a modern day "Kashmir" by Led Zeppelin. This was also the band's major label debut on Columbia Records. More proficient and technical playing, and a huge shift into the metal realm, the single would become a huge success for the band. It would also be a huge album for the band. Debuting at number 7 on the Billboard 200 and selling over 500,000 copies. It would also be ranked 69th on Guitar World's list of 100 greatest guitar albums of all time. The band, almost revealing it's final form, showcased the band's impressive musicianship, intricate storytelling in their lyrics and also overall catchiness with some of their songs.

In 2007, the band would release their follow up Good Apollo, I'm Burning Star IV, Volume Two: No World For Tomorrow. Continuing the band's fusion of prog rock and metal, the album featured more catchier songs, while also including elements of synths and keyboards throughout. The album marked an appearance of late Foo Fighters Taylor Hawkins, who recorded the drums on the album due to the band's new drummer, former The Dillinger Escape Plan drummer Chris Penne, not being able to record due to contractual reasons. Another hit album for the band, many fans and critics would say that the band has hit their "sweet spot" of their hybrid of hard rock, prog rock and metal, while delivering hooks and sing-along choruses.

The band would dive into a more straight-forward, yet proggy metal record with the band's next album Year of The Black Rainbow. With synths being almost a main focus on songs like "Here We Are Juggernaut", "Guns of Summer" & "The Broken". The album seemed also darker musically compared to their previous albums. More bass and a heavier undertone ran throughout the album. Produced by Atticus Ross (Nine Inch Nails) & Joe Barresi (Queens of The Stone Age & Tool), Sanchez said that they helped the band create a more powerful and dynamic sound, which can be heard throughout the record. Showcasing a grander scale in the band's music on this album.

The band hunkered down in the studio and for seven months would work on their next ambitious undertaking, a double album. The Afterman: Ascension was released in 2012. With original drummer Josh Eppard back in the band and was the debut of new bassist Zach Cooper. Leading off with the debut, almost eight minute plus lead single "Key Entity Extraction I: Domino The Destitute", the album was released to positive & mixed reviews. Some praising the grandiosity of the lead single and scale in the band's playing. Others would claim it was "unstructured" and "a bit of a mess" for the scale of the band.

One year later, part two was released, The Afterman: Descension. Continuing the same song styling and production as the previous, the album would receive positive reviews from critics. Receiving less criticism from Ascension. It would also debut at number 3 on Billboard's Top Rock Albums and Alternative Albums charts. Selling over 90,000 copies.

In 2015, Coheed would make a change in the band's musical sound with The Color Before The Sun. The band has said this is the first non-concept album they have ever done. In an interview with Loudersound.com, Sanchez said that he and his family were going through a lot of life changes. From moving to a new environment and becoming a father. He said that the songs he wrote didn't fit the "Coheed formula" so he wanted the songs to speak for themselves on their own merit. The Color Before The Sun also showed the band lean more towards hard rock and pop punk elements with this album. Differentiating it from the proggier elements of the last four albums. The album still showed impressive guitar playing, more personal and relatable lyrics. Bringing the band known for their space themes down to Earth, some would say.

Feeling revitalized from touring and creatively being in the right head space during the writing of the album, the band returned to their prog metal sound with the band's ninth album Vaxis – Act I: The Unheavenly Creatures in 2018. Upon release of the lead single "The Dark Sentencer", die-hard fans were ecstatic for the return-to-form to the prog metal space-opera the band was known for. Even drawing comparisons to their breakout song "Welcome Home". Receiving positive reviews from fans and critics, the production was grander in scale and dripped of classic 70's-80's prog rock nostalgia in some of the song's instrumentation.

The band's most recent album is 2022's Vaxis – Act II: A Window of the Waking Mind. Lyrically, Sanchez faced some struggles in writing the theme and concepts of the album. Since the world was starting to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and many areas finally lifting their lockdown restrictions. Though still a concept album, Sanchez did say some songs draw inspiration from the pandemic. Upon release, critics praised the album. Many claiming it to be the pinnacle of the band's sound. Metal Injection would give it an 8.5 out of 10 and Allmusic would give it a four and a half stars out of five.

At the end of the day, are Coheed and Cambria a metal band? Well, like I mentioned earlier, they are in that murky gray waters when it comes to the definition of "metal". Cause they have moments of metal, specifically progressive metal like on "Welcome Home", "In Keeping Secrets of Silent Earth: 3", and "The Broken". But, they also have poppy, catchy songs that aren't metal like "Number City", "33" and "Island". If I had to give an answer...they are a progressive rock band with metal elements. They are impressive and talented musicians, and these song's kill live, especially since I've seen the band multiple times and "A Favor House Atlantic" is me and my wife's song, so the band does have a significance in my life besides just good prog rock.

I know I have compared them to Rush multiple times throughout this piece, and the band is even aware and have accepted the comparison. But, if you think about it, they are Rush for the modern era. They dabble in both the rock and metal sound, they have captivating and elaborate lyrics, they can perform their song's better live than the studio version. They are very talented musicians, and Sanchez' unique voice is unlike other vocalists out there. To many, they might be a "gateway band" to people to get into prog rock or prog metal and the band would love that and appreciate hearing that. Though they aren't considered metal, I truly recommend checking their out discography and doing a deep dive into the band's legacy and creativity in the world of prog. A great band that I think is truly underrated in the progressive genre.

Do you think Coheed and Cambria are metal? Do you agree/disagree with me and why? Let us know in the comments of our social media pages. You can also put your suggestions in the comments on what band/artist we should do next for this series. I'm Justin, Your Friendly Neighborhood Metalhead, for another edition of Are They Metal?