Coheed and Cambria – Vaxis Act III: The Father of Make Believe: Album Review

Since their formation in March 1995, one of America’s greatest progressive rock bands, Coheed and Cambria, is set to release their highly anticipated 10th studio album, ‘Vaxis – Act III: The Father of Make Believe’, exactly 30 years later. This milestone alone creates a momentous occasion sure to spark excitement and capture the attention of fans everywhere.

As the sequel to 2022’s Vaxis – Act II: A Window of the Waking Mind (and 2012’s ‘The Afterman’—more on that later), this album serves as the third act and the central point of a planned pentalogy, continuing the band’s expansive sci-fi narrative, The Amory Wars. The opening track, “Yesterday’s Lost”, is a beautiful orchestral introduction with soft vocals, drawing listeners into the cinematic world of ‘Vaxis’ and setting the stage for what’s to come.

The band wastes no time showcasing their ability to craft anthemic rock songs, with “Searching for Tomorrow” and “Someone Who Can” delivering the intricate layering and conceptual depth fans have come to expect. Meanwhile, tracks like “Blind Side Sonny” and “Play the Poet” unleash a fusion of heavy riffs and emotive vocals, clearly demonstrating Coheed and Cambria‘s progressive ambitions. The title track, “The Father of Make Believe,” is a true trademark piece, complete with soaring melodies, shifting time signatures, and Claudio Sanchez’s distinctive vocals.

The production on this album is pristine, with every instrument given room to shine. Drummer Josh Eppard, bassist Zach Cooper, and guitarist Travis Stever deliver performances that are as technically impressive as they are emotionally resonant, creating a cohesive and powerful backdrop for Claudio Sanchez’s narrative vision. Each song is cleverly linked thematically and tonally, featuring numerous musical reprises from the band’s previous albums as well as lyrical references to their sci-fi plot.

If there’s any critique to be made, it might be that the album’s ambitious scope and dense narrative can feel overwhelming to new listeners unfamiliar with The Amory Wars lore. ‘Vaxis III’ contains several references to ‘The Afterman’ double album, both musically and lyrically, which may be lost on newer listeners. However, even for those unversed in the story, ‘Vaxis – Act III’ offers a mix of cinematic soundscapes sure to spark the imagination.

In ‘Vaxis – Act III: The Father of Make Believe’, Coheed and Cambria once again prove why they are one of progressive rock’s most innovative and enduring acts. While I would love nothing more than to write about each song in detail, I’ll leave that to you—after all, that’s what makes this band so much fun!

Score 9/10

TRACK LISTING:

1. Yesterday’s Lost (3:24)
2. Goodbye, Sunshine (4:16)
3. Searching for Tomorrow (3:33)
4. The Father of Make Believe (4:39)
5. Meri of Merci (4:16)
6. Blind Side Sonny (2:23)
7. Play the Poet (3:30)
8. One Last Miracle (3:13)
9. Corner My Confidence (4:04)
10. Someone Who Can (3:45)
11. The Continuum I: Welcome to Forever, Mr. Nobody (3:43)
12. The Continuum II: The Flood (6:23)
13. The Continuum III: Tethered Together (4:36)
14. The Continuum IV: So It Goes (5:46)
    Label – Virgin Music Group.
    Release – March 15th 2025

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