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Year Of The Black Rainbow Image
Metascore
71

Generally favorable reviews - based on 19 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
6.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 121 Ratings

  • Summary: The concept album produced by Atticus Rose and Joe Barresi is the prequel to the prog rock band's Amory Wars narrative, written by singer Claudio Sanchez.
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. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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."
  5. The adventurous nature of Coheed and Cambria was what made them so thrilling. And while this new tangent of popular method could win them a fair few new fans, it may leave some of the loyal wanting more from their next opus.
  6. 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.
  7. There's no trace of Coheed's oddball eclecticism here, or of their dynamic pop sensibilities; instead the emotionally and tonally monochrome Black Rainbow gives the impression of a typically humorless metal act.

See all 19 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 11
  2. Negative: 4 out of 11
  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".
    Expand
  2. 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 specificallyMy 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! Expand
  3. 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 inA 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. Expand
  4. 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 wasAs 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
  5. 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. 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 byBesides 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. Expand
  7. 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. Collapse

See all 11 User Reviews