Looking Back on Good Apollo, I’m Burning Star IV, Volume One: From Fear Through the Eyes of Madness
Good Apollo, I'm Burning Star IV, Volume One: From Fear Through the Eyes of Madness was the third studio album from one of the most well-known progressive rock bands ever to grace the early 2000's, Coheed and Cambria. The album is now turning 15 years old this year, and it's still one of the best albums the band has ever written to this day. I know if it weren't for this album, I would not have been exposed to one of the best genres in rock music today or a band that consistently brings their best product to the table with each release.
From start to finish, Good Apollo, I'm Burning Star IV, Volume One: From Fear Through the Eyes of Madness is nothing short of a masterpiece. From its full-bodied instrumental energy that surges through every track to its effortless lyrical effectiveness of telling a story while also functioning as a singular piece of music, it stands the test of time as being one of the best albums concept albums to date.
From the beginning, we get a beautifully orchestrated instrumental intro that sets the tone for the heavy-hitting acoustic number "Always and Never," showing the Coheed and Cambria's grasp of instrumental composition and story-telling right off the bat. Even with all of this built-up tension from the start, nothing prepares us for the diamond moment of the album "Welcome Home." A leviathan of a track that is pulsating with relentless energy and lyrical finesse, it was a track that put the band on the map, and what ultimately made every rock fan take a second look at Coheed and Cambria.
The hits don't stop there, as when one fantastic track ends, another manifests, "Ten Speed (Of God's Blood &Burial)." Another moment that is just as infectious as "Welcome Home," the band doesn't let us down with its crazy-good grasps of harmonized guitar riffs and addicting choruses that stick with you long after. The Groove-laden track "Crossing the Frame" keeps the kinetic energy pushing through and the story innovatively going.
"Apollo I: The Writing Writer" is one of the bolder tracks on this record, as it has a captivating mix of exciting and funky bass lines that weave into the guitar riffs that make this such a gratifying listening experience. All of this musical magic is happening while a story is unfolding into our ears at the same time. Is it just strong music composition or great story-telling on their part? You can be the judge of that. Whether one chooses to follow Claudio Sanchez's science fiction stories or not, the beauty of these tracks solely rests on its ability to connect with the listener outside of using reading material. In my opinion, that is not only fantastic musicianship but also the work of a gifted writer.
We then change music energies with "Once Upon Your Dead Body." One of the more beguiling titles on this record, it's also different because of its softer melodic touches compared to what comes before and after this junction. This also works nicely, as it lets things slow down for the next track "Wake Up." Another beautifully crafted denuded presence on this album, this is where Sanchez's vocals shine the most. Maybe it's because the instrumental energy is dialed down a notch, but it is here that we can see Sanchez's multifaceted vocals in all of its many forms.
"The Suffering" plows through and picks up the energy once again, showing the band can write distinct progressive rock tunes that intertwine some infectious pop-punk elements and other old-school rock flavors that keep listeners gravitated to the rest of the album. "The Lying Lies &Dirty Secrets of Miss Erica Court" keeps things moving with impressive muted guitar strings that ingeniously mixes with another one of their finely crafted choruses.
"Mother May I" changes the pace of things on the album again with its varied yet interesting rhythm guitar patterns and slightly constricted instrumental fervor. "The Willing Well I: Fuel for the Feeding End" displays talents from Coheed and Cambria we haven't seen up to this point, featuring a mosaic of elaborate guitar lines and drum elements turned up to an 11. This track also holds deeper meaning as it also contains backup vocals sung in Spanish, harkening to Sanchez's Puerto-Rican roots. This track effortlessly glides through many different musical territories, making it one of the most stand out tracks on the record.
We then move on to "The Wishing Well II: From the Fear Through the Eyes of Madness." This track has a more playful side to it despite the more morbid lyrical territory it confidently embraces within. The third in this series of tracks is "The Wishing Well III: The Telling Truth." This song calls back to an earlier track on the album, "Apollo I: The Writing Writer," while also giving an instrumental nod to their second album, In Keeping Secret of Silent Earth: 3’s song, “Blood Red Summer.” Concluding this amazing trip down memory lane, we end with the highly atmospheric track "The Wishing Well IV: The Final Cut." Quite easily feeling like an ending moment on this record, every musician performs at their best and is given their time to shine in this dazzling closing number.
Good Apollo, I’m Burning Star IV, Volume One: From Fear Through The Eyes of Madness is a brilliantly put together work of art that showcases the raw emotions of a breakup and the stains that are left there long after it's happened. Putting this into context, this is used to tell the story of two characters Claudio Killgannon in the fictional world of Heaven's Fence and a writer who is also trying his best to work through the trials and tribulations of his own love life.
There is a lot of pent up emotion that exists within this album from beginning to end. From its use of complex instrumental delivery to the emotionally driven lyrics all the way through, it showcases Coheed and Cambria doing what they do best and what they have done the best in the genre for the past decade. Though this album is 15 years old, every time I listen to it, it still brings back the energy and excitement as if it was brand new all over again with every listen. I've loved and grown up with this band, and this album remains an integral part of why I continue to do what I do as a writer and a music journalist.
Listen to the whole album down below!