The Afterman: Descension
Coheed and Cambria · 2013
58 min · 12 tracks · alternative rock
A sprawling blend of progressive rock and alternative melodies, exploring themes of loss and existentialism through intricate compositions.
Top tracks — play these first
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Pretelethal Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
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Key Entity Extraction V: Sentry the Defiant — This track showcases the band's signature blend of hard-hitting riffs and melodic hooks, encapsulating the thematic essence of struggle against overwhelming odds.
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Gravity’s Union — With its expansive instrumentation and emotional depth, this song serves as a poignant exploration of connection and isolation, highlighting the album’s core themes.
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The Hard Sell — This track combines aggressive guitar work with introspective lyrics, representing a key moment in the narrative arc that intertwines personal and cosmic struggles.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases intricate compositions and thematic depth but has moments that feel less cohesive.
What we noticed
- The first five tracks maintain a high energy level with intricate guitar work and dynamic shifts, while the subsequent tracks introduce more melodic and introspective elements.
- 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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6/10
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
- dynamic flow with varied intensity
- intricate storytelling for deep listeners
- wave-like pacing that evolves
- immersive experience for focused sessions
Maybe skip if you
- seeking quick, standalone tracks
- prefer instant gratification sounds
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Critical Peak — Ambitious narrative and complex arrangements mark it as a significant artistic work.
- Themes
- personal struggle· narrative complexity· sci-fi mythology
- Career context
- The Afterman: Descension is Coheed and Cambria's sixth studio album, released in 2013 as the second part of a two-part narrative following The Afterman: Ascension. At this point, the band was experiencing a resurgence after a series of lineup changes and was solidifying their signature sound, blending intricate storytelling with dynamic musicality.
- Stylistic neighbors
- The Dear Hunter· Between the Buried and Me· Glassjaw
Tracklist
- 1 Pretelethal Start here 3:21
- 2 Key Entity Extraction V: Sentry the Defiant 5:44
- 3 The Hard Sell 5:10
- 4 Number City 3:48
- 5 Gravity’s Union 6:45
- 6 Away We Go 3:55
- 7 Iron Fist 4:45
- 8 Dark Side of Me 5:02
- 9 2’s My Favorite 1 4:54
- 10 Iron Fist (acoustic stripped demo) 4:35
- 11 2’s My Favorite 1 (piano demo) 3:25
- 12 Gravity’s Union (demo) 6:36
What to play next
The Color Before the Sun
2015
This album offers a fresh sound while continuing themes of introspection and change.
The Afterman: Ascension
2012
It sets the stage for 'Descension' with similar sonic elements and thematic depth.
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Act IV: Rebirth in Reprise
The Dear Hunter
Shares conceptual storytelling and a blend of progressive rock with emotional depth.
Colors
Between the Buried and Me
Combines intricate musicianship with narrative complexity and varied sonic landscapes.
Blue Sky Noise
Circa Survive
Features expansive melodies and introspective themes, creating a similar atmospheric experience.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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