From the rock opera crescendos of the opening Node onwards, the album dares to be both a quintessentially prog-rock experience and a timely act of modern metal derring-do. Frontman Tommy Rogers’ effortless versatility has at last found songs worthy of his gifts.
Heaping handfuls of sound are shaped into a dizzying array, landing somewhere between a heavy Queen, even heavier '70s British prog and a more interesting Dream Theater. [Jul 2015, p.96]
While the noticeable shift away from death metal may discourage some, Coma Ecliptic succeeds in pushing Between the Buried and Me's creativity in a new direction, avoiding a simple rehash of their winning formula.
Coma Ecliptic clocks in at over an hour, but most discouraging is the band’s failure to translate the album’s conceptual themes to the listener in that timespan.
They're suspended in an airy updraft of synths and clean guitar lines that are so '70s prog-rock they should be wearing a Rick Wakeman from Yes-styled cape. [27 Jun 2015, p.52]
This album is incredible! Between the Buried and Me have done it again! The sound pays homage to the older days of prog-rock but at the sameThis album is incredible! Between the Buried and Me have done it again! The sound pays homage to the older days of prog-rock but at the same time it feels fresh and original…Expand
Between the Buried and me keep up their consistent quality of work with their new album ‘Coma Ecliptic’. The album starts off with a niceBetween the Buried and me keep up their consistent quality of work with their new album ‘Coma Ecliptic’. The album starts off with a nice quietened mellow song and then exceeds in the exuberance of their perfectly crafted progressive metal sound that they now pretty much own. Almost every song on this album hits hard and makes this quite possibly one of the best albums (so far) this year.
The strongest songs on this album indefinitely have to be The Coma Machine, Dim ignition, Famine Wolf, ectopic stroll and rapid calm. All of these are just excellently crafted songs that are a joy to listen to. Every other song on the album are just as great and amazing to listen to but those said tracks are the ones that stand out most to me.
However, I did find one section of Memory palace a bit weak and not as strong as the rest of the album, and a tiny part in King Redeem/Queen Serene had some rather gurgled screams that sound pretty horrible compared to the rest of the vocals on the album but to be honest, neither of these detract from the prowess of the rest of the album.
I would give this album a 9.5/10 as it is almost perfect but due to Metacritics scoring system looks like I’ll have to give it 10/10. It deserves it though, and this album shows that we should and will continue to be excited to see what BTBAM bring out next.…Expand
The unpredictable BTBAM return with Coma Ecliptic, a mammoth album reminiscent of 90's prog-rock like Dream Theater; even some 70's prog isThe unpredictable BTBAM return with Coma Ecliptic, a mammoth album reminiscent of 90's prog-rock like Dream Theater; even some 70's prog is thrown in the mix with some shades of Rush. Tommy is as versatile as ever with his beautiful singing and shredding screams. The album feels like a relaxed dream state while keeping some of the heaviness of previous albums. I did not give this a 10 as I feel it doesn't quite touch the heights and originality of their landmark album, Colors, but there is a lot A LOT to enjoy and digest in this album. Highly recommended and one of my candidates for AOTY 2015. "King Redeem/Queen Serene" is one of the best songs they've ever done, imo. If curious for the sound that is a wonderful choice. It encompasses the essence of this album
Edit: Upon multiple listens, I now give it a 10. Spectacular listen!…Expand
Continuing along the same thread as its predecessor 'The Parallax II: Future Sequence', Coma Ecliptic takes the listeners further down BTBAM'sContinuing along the same thread as its predecessor 'The Parallax II: Future Sequence', Coma Ecliptic takes the listeners further down BTBAM's road to prog perfection. Another stunning concept album from the 5 piece which sees the band venture further from the older/heavier albums from their past. This albums still boasts the great heavy tech metal riffs from the bands heritage, but allows more time for the band to showcase the many musical styles kept in their tool box. Front man Tommy Rogers exhibits his voice to a greater extent than previous recordings and shows his vocals can be as versatile as the guitars and the drum work is simply stunning. This album is an absolute must have for any prog metal fans. Ignore the negative reviews who claim the band haven't produced anything good since 'Colors'. This is a real prog band, and this album shows just how much they've progressed.…Expand
Probably the band's weakest outing since their debut, but as a progressive metal album it's far beyond the norm. Vocals and synths are now atProbably the band's weakest outing since their debut, but as a progressive metal album it's far beyond the norm. Vocals and synths are now at the forefront and overall transitions are smoother; "King Redeem/Queen Serene", "Turn on the Darkness" and "The Coma Machine" are highlights.…Expand
I liked this album. Just not as much as their previous 4 records which are all fantastic records. This album had many high points but alsoI liked this album. Just not as much as their previous 4 records which are all fantastic records. This album had many high points but also some low points of weaker sequencing and Tommy's vocals didn't stand out as much as in previous albums for me. The storyline and ending was also very cliche but most of the lyrics are very interesting which really set the record on a right track to not give another cliche prog album. Overall good record. 7/10…Expand
When BTBAM released their singles "Coma Ecliptic" and "The Coma Machine" I was in love. I thought to myself, "Nevermind the messy trash thatWhen BTBAM released their singles "Coma Ecliptic" and "The Coma Machine" I was in love. I thought to myself, "Nevermind the messy trash that was the Parallax II... BTBAM is back and this new album is going to be as good as Colors / The Great Misdirect." And with this logic, I pre-ordered a bundle from indiemerch that included the album, a making-of DVD, and a t-shirt, and I really wish I hadn't.
The two aforementioned singles happen to be the only songs on the album I like. I listen to the album over and over from start to finish trying to enjoy the rest of the songs but I can't. This album is just not as good as Colors or The Great Misdirect or even Alaska. And it blows my mind that it's been getting generally good reviews online, including here on metacritic. When did these people start listening to BTBAM? Have they even heard Colors?
I feel truly bummed out that I don't like Coma Ecliptic. I figured Parallax II was an anomaly in an otherwise stellar track record for my favorite band of all time, but this album is just as bad as the last in exactly the same way.
If you were a fan of Parallax II, you'll probably enjoy this album. If you liked Colors and The Great Misdirect, it might be time to try other bands.…Expand
