Review

Few bands manage to balance high-concept storytelling with fist-pumping anthems quite like Coheed & Cambria. For over two decades, Claudio Sanchez and company have woven their sprawling sci-fi saga—the *Amory Wars*—into albums that fuse progressive rock, post-hardcore energy, and unrelenting ambition. Their latest effort, *The Father of Make Believe*, is no exception, offering another chapter in their ever-expanding universe while delivering some of their most cinematic and emotive work to date. Recorded at the legendary Abbey Road Studios, there’s a distinct sense of grandeur in the production. The album opens with *The Prophecy Engine*, a seven-minute odyssey of soaring vocals, shifting time signatures, and searing guitar work. It sets the tone for an album that oscillates between the intricate and the anthemic, seamlessly blending progressive complexity with arena-sized choruses. Lead single *Sentinel’s Lament* is a prime example of Coheed’s ability to marry storytelling with hook-laden songwriting. Sanchez’s vocals are as impassioned as ever, soaring over intricate riffing and thunderous drumming. Meanwhile, *Glass Kingdom* takes a more introspective approach, its haunting melodies and layered harmonies showcasing the band’s softer, more atmospheric side. Yet, *The Father of Make Believe* doesn’t merely rest on familiar tropes. Tracks like *Blood and Circuitry* introduce electronic elements reminiscent of *Vaxis II*, while *Eclipse Syndrome* leans into metallic aggression, echoing the heavier moments of *No World for Tomorrow*. The closing epic, *Through the Portal*, brings the journey full circle with a symphonic swell, leaving listeners teetering on the edge of another chapter in Coheed’s ever-evolving mythos. Lyrically, the album explores themes of deception, power, and existential reckoning—classic fare for Coheed but executed with renewed depth. The overarching narrative remains dense and intricate, but even those unfamiliar with *The Amory Wars* will find plenty to latch onto, whether it’s the sheer energy of the instrumentation or the undeniable emotion in Sanchez’s voice. While *The Father of Make Believe* doesn’t quite reinvent Coheed & Cambria’s wheel, it refines it to near perfection. This is a band still firing on all cylinders, embracing their grandiose ambitions with a level of confidence that few can match. For longtime fans, this is another thrilling instalment in an already legendary discography. For newcomers, it’s a compelling entry point into one of rock’s most imaginative acts.