Year Of The Black Rainbow
by Coheed and Cambria
  • Record Label: Sony
  • Release Date: Apr 13, 2010
User Score
6.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 121 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 75 out of 121
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 121
  3. Negative: 36 out of 121

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  1. imthenoob
    Oct 5, 2018
    3
    It lacks everything that made the band what they were. They experimented a lot on this album and it simply did not work out. I expected a lot better from them.
  2. askingalex
    Sep 24, 2015
    10
    My friend got me into Coheed with this album- and I absolutely love it. I can't say how many times I've listened to this album. I specifically love Here We Are Juggernaut and Pearl of The Stars. Can't reccomend this album enough!
  3. Aijixe
    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 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    Year 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".    … Collapse
  4. gabrielseifer
    Feb 7, 2014
    9
    Arguably the weakest of Coheed and Cambria's albums (I'm not much a fan of SSTB, call me a heretic. The joy for me begins with IKSSE:3), Year of The Black Rainbow is not at all without merit. "The Broken", "Here We Are Juggernaut", "Far", "This Shattered Symphony", "World of Lines", and "Pearl of the Stars" are all fairly enjoyable excursions in the Pre-Amory Wars mythos. Musically it'sArguably the weakest of Coheed and Cambria's albums (I'm not much a fan of SSTB, call me a heretic. The joy for me begins with IKSSE:3), Year of The Black Rainbow is not at all without merit. "The Broken", "Here We Are Juggernaut", "Far", "This Shattered Symphony", "World of Lines", and "Pearl of the Stars" are all fairly enjoyable excursions in the Pre-Amory Wars mythos. Musically it's all fairly pedantic prog-rock intertwined with vague and slightly touching love songs, nothing astounding instrumentally. Fair enough. Taken into context with the story, though, and fleshed out with the accompanying book, this album still very much works for me. Many reviewers describe a rather "dark and dreary" overtone, and I'll agree. However, it's only because the story is so. Rife with tragedy and grief, the tale sets the stage for SSTB and the Amory Wars in general. As an album alone, it's only fairly good. I'm writing this review in context, as the album plays a crucial role in the rest of Coheed and Cambria's epic tale. Reader, keep an open mind. Follow along with the book. As a whole, you'll find something special here.

    Then move on to the Afterman Saga, and be completely blown away.    … Expand
  5. Neverender
    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...
  6. Zaxian
    Oct 22, 2012
    3
    Really 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.
  7. KevinCrash
    Aug 7, 2012
    3
    The best word to describe this album would be disappointing. Evolution is usually a natural thing for a band, if every album sounded the same it would be very monotonous, but this album is a failed attempt of Coheed leaving behind all their groove and pop elements and going full prog-rock. What we're left with is a bleak and dreary album with only a couple of songs that are even worthThe best word to describe this album would be disappointing. Evolution is usually a natural thing for a band, if every album sounded the same it would be very monotonous, but this album is a failed attempt of Coheed leaving behind all their groove and pop elements and going full prog-rock. What we're left with is a bleak and dreary album with only a couple of songs that are even worth listening to. I do believe that the producers of this album are equally to blame, Coheed and Cambria are not the Industrial/Prog-Rock hybrid band portrayed on this album and never should be. I only hope as a huge fan myself Claudio and the band learn from this and go back to their emotionally driven and funky Post-Hardcore roots that made them such a great band to begin with.… Expand
  8. everlastall
    Mar 19, 2012
    9
    A solid hit and change of style from No World, The Black Rainbow boasts some catchy tunes along with a bunch of tracks very impressive in musicianship.
  9. asylumspadez
    Nov 17, 2011
    3
    Besides a few (and i mean few) songs that are likeable, The entire album is pretty trashy. It looks horrible when compared to other albums by Coheed and Cambria. Really disapointing.
  10. Billyheel
    Oct 28, 2011
    5
    As technical as it is, 'Year of the Black Rainbow' can't break away and become what it was meant to be. As cliche as it sounds, this was supposed to be Coheed and Cambria's love-letter to their fans and in essence; their magnum opus. Highly talked about before its release, the hype not only got me researching and anticipating; I also pre-ordered it to boot. The album is as technical asAs technical as it is, 'Year of the Black Rainbow' can't break away and become what it was meant to be. As cliche as it sounds, this was supposed to be Coheed and Cambria's love-letter to their fans and in essence; their magnum opus. Highly talked about before its release, the hype not only got me researching and anticipating; I also pre-ordered it to boot. The album is as technical as it gets, with songs like 'Guns of Summer' making any fan of prog have weak knees. The guitar work is great, and the drumming is sufficient; but the bass seems flat more often than not. The technicality that is on display draws from what the album truly is, a flawed piece of work that is equally uneventful as it is impressive. Now, not to say that the entire album is bad. Songs like 'Here We Are Juggernaut' and 'World of Lines' are possibly some of the best prog songs to come out this decade. But, most of the album slips into limbo, and follows the track of being repetitive. Time and time again, an album hits that blinds with technicality; while slipping through with an unimaginative experience that will likely turn fans away. 'Year of the Black Rainbow' tries too hard, and falls short of greatness.… Expand
  11. Ikarus14
    May 8, 2011
    8
    A very strong album throughout. It's interesting how they decided to write a prequel to their previous four albums and the production and instrumentals certainly sound different enough to make it feel as such.
    Wouldn't say it's their best album but still recommended.

Awards & Rankings

82
#82 Most Discussed Album of 2010

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
71

Generally favorable reviews - based on 19 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 19
  3. Negative: 1 out of 19
  1. Revolver
    70
    Rainbow is definitely Sanchez's show: His dreamy vocals give all the fantasy crap real human warmth. [May/Jun 2010, p.966]
  2. AllMusic
    80
    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.
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  3. BBC Music
    50
    It's full of fascinating, stirring moments, but overall, Year of the Black Rainbow suffers just a little too much from its own grand, sprawling ambition.
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