Analog Adventures: Good Apollo, I’m Burning Star IV, Volume One: From Fear Through the Eyes of Madness
Coheed & Cambria
Good Apollo, I’m Burning Star IV, Volume One: From Fear Through the Eyes of Madness
(2005)
Coheed & Cambria made waves in the progressive rock world with their release of their third album, Good Apollo, I’m Burning Star IV, Volume One: From Fear Through the Eyes of Madness. The title does not roll off the tongue but the music flows freely. For those unfamiliar with Coheed & Cambria, the band is reminiscent of Hemispheres era Rush with modern influences in the American hardcore scene. There is also an over arching concept that ties most of their albums together, but the lore is not necessary reading for anybody wanting to get into the music.
The band found overnight success with the release of the first single off the album Welcome Home. The main riff of the song has been compared to Led Zeppelin’s Kashmir off of Physical Graffiti, but the song’s writer Claudio Sanchez says that Tool was the main influence while writing. The song peaked at #24 on the Mainstream Rock chart, was featured in the video games Madden ’06 and Rock Band, and was present in the trailer for the 2009 animated feature 9.
Like most music in 2005, this album was not originally released on vinyl. With the uptick in vinyl record sales, commonly referred to as the vinyl revival, many artists and labels have re-released their back catalogs on vinyl. Good Apollo was remixed and remastered for a vinyl release on Record Store Day 2017, with two different versions. Both versions are double albums with the difference being the color of the records. One edition is plain black, and the other is the appropriately titled Bone and Blood, featuring white and red records.
Photo credit: Tanner Matherly
Having been a Coheed & Cambria fan since their sophomore album In Keeping Secrets of Silent Earth:3, I am always cautious about suggesting their albums to people. Progressive rock can be difficult to recommend without people thinking of cliches, but I always suggest this album. When you strip away the concept, art work, and accompanying graphic novel, you are left with a 72 minute masterpiece. The standard edition itself can be found commonly at record stores and online from retailers such as Best Buy or Discogs, and the $35 price tag is worth it. If you are after the Bone and Blood edition, expect to pay a little more at an average price of $50.
OUTSTANDING TRACKS
Welcome Home
The Suffering
The Willing Well II: From Fear Through The Eyes of Madness
