The Afterman: Ascension - Coheed and Cambria
Metascore
74 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 13 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 13
  3. Negative: 0 out of 13
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  1. Rock Sound
    Nov 2, 2012
    80
    It sparkles with invention, creativity, crushing use of dynamics and, when all's said and done, just really strong songs.
  2. Kerrang!
    Oct 29, 2012
    80
    So far so grandiose. Fortunately, Coheed's music mirrors the scope of the project as a whole here. [ 6 Oct 2012, p.54]
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  3. PopMatters
    Oct 24, 2012
    80
    If Year of the Black Rainbow left you stagnant, The Afterman: Ascension may just blow you away again.
  4. PopMatters
    Oct 24, 2012
    80
    If Year of the Black Rainbow left you stagnant, The Afterman: Ascension may just blow you away again.
  5. Alternative Press
    Oct 19, 2012
    80
    "Key Entity Extraction: Domino The Destitute" contains everything that makes Ascension a great record: heavy riffage, soaring leads, shouting, undeniable hooks, and no bullshit in between. [Nov 2012, p.91]
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  6. This Is Fake DIY
    Oct 10, 2012
    80
    Concept albums may not be for everyone, and that's understandable, but they usually prove interesting at the very least, and this is no different.
  7. The A.V. Club
    Oct 10, 2012
    75
    In dialing back and containing its ambition rather than letting it bleed all over the place, Sanchez and company have found what might be a surer way forward.
  8. Sputnikmusic
    Oct 11, 2012
    70
    Only in spurts does it ascend to the heights of the band's opening three acts, but it does manage to triumphantly assert itself as a leaps and bounds improvement over Coheed's most recent material.
  9. All Music Guide
    Oct 10, 2012
    70
    The Afterman: Ascension is so ambitious it's actually a bit of a mess, but with so much here that works, this small lapse in focus can easily be forgiven.
  10. Q Magazine
    Feb 8, 2013
    60
    [The band's] hardcore sound is as tricky to keep up with as ever. [Mar 2013, p.101]
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  11. Mojo
    Oct 23, 2012
    60
    The Aftermath is wild and explorative, its appeal lying in the sprawling ideas and yearning vocals. [Nov 2012, p.103]
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  12. Consequence of Sound
    Oct 10, 2012
    60
    While the album isn't full of the kind of revelations that drop jaws and illicit gasps, the emotion here is a much-needed place of solace and solidity in a mythos larger and more involved than Heaven's Fence itself.
  13. No Ripcord
    Oct 12, 2012
    40
    This album displays the band at an absolute low-point in their career.

User Reviews

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User Score
8.5 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 26 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
  1. wmmoore733
    10
    I really have enjoyed this album. It takes me back to the old days of Coheed and Cambria. I've enjoyed their past two albums but are really happy that they're kind of going back to the Keeping Secrets and Good Apollo days. Really looking forward to the second part next year!… Full Review »
  2. khaleesi
    10
    I am a huge Coheed fan, and in my opinion this is definitely their best album to date. Every song is very emotional and powerful. The new bassist brings a very jazzy feeling to the rhythm section. Overall, the album has a feeling of loss and despair. Lots to love here- good job Claudio & Company :)… Full Review »
  3. Zaxian
    8
    A vast improvement following from YotBR. Not quite as good as some of their older albums (Good Apollo VI: Vol 1 still holds it's place as my personal favourite, and IKSoSE:III is also better) but it's definitely a good step back in the right direction. Relatively short - but it's left me eagerly awaiting the second half of the double album!… Full Review »
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