Imprisoned In The Concept?
New York proggers, Coheed And Cambria are reaching the end of their epic, 12-album Amory Wars concept with The Father Of Make Believe. It’s found mainman Claudio Sanchez in a precarious position as he contemplates his creative decisions and the future. This all makes for the band’s most out-there album yet, and one that’s equal parts a sci-fi prog epic and personal tome of uncertainty. We found out more.
Words: Phil Weller
Coheed And Cambria: in a universe, and league, of their own.
Images: Jimmy Fontaine
“I feel like we’ve constructed the freedom to do whatever it is we choose to do creatively. That’s always something that I’ve strived for. I never wanted there to be restrictions.”
Some bands get so deeply entwined in their vision for a concept record it stretches across a double album. For New York’s ambitious alt rock heroes Coheed And Cambria, a twodisc release would have only scratched the surface. Instead, founder, lead songwriter and tireless creative Claudio Sanchez mapped out an intergalactic odyssey with the intention of spreading it across 12 full-length releases. Save for the much-needed respite of 2015’s The Color Before The Sun, which temporarily unshackled the group from the chains of such a lofty concept, it’s driven the band’s very existence for nearly a quarter of a century.
The Father Of Make Believe
is out on March 14.
The band’s 11th album, Vaxis –Act III: The Father Of Make Believe brings the final straight in sight, with only two more albums set to follow in its wake. Naturally, that’s led to some pensive self-reflection for Sanchez.
“We’re now at the third part of this five-part thing, and I can almost see the end,” he says, dialling into a chat with Prog from his New York home and surrounded by synthesisers. “But what would my life be like without it?”