• Record Label: Sony
  • Release Date: Apr 13, 2010
Metascore
71

Generally favorable reviews - based on 19 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 19
  2. Negative: 1 out of 19
  1. Coheed And Cambria are always at their finest when they're being dramatic, and as such 'Year Of The Black Rainbow' is possibly their best record to date.
  2. It doesn't take a biological science major to realize that this album is very well worth listening to regardless of whether you're a seasoned veteran of The Amory Wars storyline or you've never even heard of Coheed & Cambria.
  3. Still, bending the tonal and narrative demand of Amory-whose prequel is presented here-into an intricate, melodic, ultimately anthemic album couldn't have been a breeze, but Sanchez and crew have dovetailed their two massive ambitions into an effortless, seamless whole.
  4. Entertainment Weekly
    83
    Rainbow contains 12 thrilling sci-fi spectacles, suitable for headbanger and Luddite alike. [14 Apr 2010, p.73]
  5. As a band, C&C either inspire rabid adoration or complete dismissal; that won't change with Year of the Black Rainbow. That said, any fan of heavy progressive rock music may find this music to be of compelling interest, whether one buys into the conceptual nature of the Amory Wars or not.
  6. The record is further evidence of the quartet's easy chemistry. The band is both bold and geeky, creating a signature sound that typically triggers strong reaction; one man's progressive is another's pretentious.
  7. Alternative Press
    80
    Rainbow feels every bit as massive as the world it sets up. It's not just the heaviest record in Coheed's arsenal; it's also one of the strongest.
  8. While it's sort of a fresh take on their musical canon, it could afford with more new songwriting techniques and maybe less vocal effects. Still, Year of the Black Rainbow is a consistently great album that may have required just a bit more panache, and certainly lives up to its predecessors.
  9. Revolver
    70
    Rainbow is definitely Sanchez's show: His dreamy vocals give all the fantasy crap real human warmth. [May/Jun 2010, p.966]
  10. Year of the Black Rainbow sounds like a more self-assured take on what the band was attempting to do on the somewhat scattershot "No World for Tomorrow."
  11. Year... continues to follow that bombastic course, packed from start to finish with grandiose, rousing flourishes and ample proggy ballast.
User Score
6.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 121 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 75 out of 121
  2. Negative: 36 out of 121
  1. Sep 23, 2015
    10
    Year of the Black Rainbow is a technically proficient, underrated masterpiece that holds up to this day. I can comfortably (but at the risk ofYear of the Black Rainbow is a technically proficient, underrated masterpiece that holds up to this day. I can comfortably (but at the risk of pitchforks) admit this is one of Coheed and Cambria's strongest albums, and this is coming from a massive C&C fan that keeps IKSSE:3 and Good Apollo Vol. 1 on repeat almost constantly otherwise.
    The Dillinger Escape Plan's founder and former drummer Chris Pennie served as Coheed's already rock hard backbone throughout the near-hour experience as well - their resulting musicianship is tight and compelling.
    Album highlights include "The Broken", "Here We Are Juggernaut", "Far", "World of Lines", "Pearl of the Stars", and the eponymous closer, "The Black Rainbow".
    Full Review »
  2. Feb 8, 2013
    4
    This was everything BUT Coheed. A little too over-engineered and mediocre in many parts, this album sadly stands alone in their amazing discography...
  3. Oct 22, 2012
    3
    Really disappointing - total lack of their typical anthemic songs (save, perhaps, Here we are Juggernaut). Over-produced, the whole albumReally disappointing - total lack of their typical anthemic songs (save, perhaps, Here we are Juggernaut). Over-produced, the whole album feels dark and dreary. In my opinion, their worst album to date. Full Review »