The Afterman: Ascension
Coheed and Cambria · 2012
39 min · 9 tracks · alternative rock
A sprawling narrative unfolds through intricate melodies and dynamic shifts, blending progressive rock with alternative influences.
Top tracks — play these first
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The Hollow Start here — accessible entry with immediate hook
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Key Entity Extraction I: Domino the Destitute — This track introduces a central character with a haunting narrative, combining emotive lyrics with expansive instrumentals that set the tone for the album's themes of loss and redemption.
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The Afterman — Serving as the album's title track, it encapsulates the essence of longing and discovery, featuring an engaging melody that highlights Claudio Sanchez's vocal range and lyrical depth.
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Goodnight, Fair Lady — This track stands out for its intimate and reflective lyrics, offering a poignant moment of vulnerability amidst the grander narrative arc of the album.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album's intricate melodies and cohesive narrative structure highlight its ambitious composition and craft.
What we noticed
- The album features a series of interconnected tracks that flow into one another, creating a continuous narrative experience.
- The use of multiple vocal harmonies and layered instrumentation adds depth to the sound, particularly in the choruses.
- Composition 25% of the score
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8/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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8/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady unfolding narrative experience
- conceptual storytelling through sound
- immersive journey with resolutions
- vivid emotional landscapes throughout
Maybe skip if you
- prefer short, standalone tracks
- seek instant gratification
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — Established Coheed and Cambria's reputation with strong commercial impact.
- Themes
- sci-fi narratives· emotional legacy· post-apocalyptic journey
- Career context
- Released in January 2012, The Afterman: Ascension is Coheed and Cambria's sixth studio album and the first part of a two-part concept project. Following the commercial success of their previous album, Year of the Black Rainbow, this record showcases a continued evolution in their sound while deepening the storytelling elements that define their work.
- Stylistic neighbors
- The Dear Hunter· Between the Buried and Me· Glassjaw
Tracklist
- 1 The Hollow Start here 2:11
- 2 Key Entity Extraction I: Domino the Destitute 7:51
- 3 The Afterman 3:11
- 4 Mothers of Men 4:11
- 5 Goodnight, Fair Lady 3:23
- 6 Key Entity Extraction II: Holly Wood the Cracked 3:26
- 7 Key Entity Extraction III: Vic the Butcher 5:47
- 8 Key Entity Extraction IV: Evagria the Faithful 6:22
- 9 Subtraction 3:07
What to play next
The Afterman: Descension
2013
Continues the narrative and sonic themes established in Ascension.
Year of the Black Rainbow
2010
Sets the stage for the storytelling found in The Afterman series.
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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