In effect the second chapter of Good Apollo, I’m Burning Star, leading on from the story of the two main character’s Coheed and Cambria as featured in the comic book series The Amory Wars written by lead vocalist Claudio Sanchez.

The fourth studio album brings the story arc to a conclusion but due to the bizarre release pattern of the album recordings, the second chapter (Second Stage Turbine Blade) was released first and the final chapter, yet to be released will be the beginning of the story told in harmonic musical form.

Again, the multitude of influences can be heard throughout the album, referencing Thin Lizzy, The Police, The Who and wholeheartedly Pink Floyd due to the progressive rock nature of the entire piece. The Hound (of blood and rank) obviously paying homage to the Townshend penned The Who track Baba O’Reily with its distinct synthesised organ opening.

In comparison to the first two albums, Sanchez’s vocals have suffered and lost elements that were previously held high, the studio production on the entire album add the epic, and increase the dramatic intentions of his lyrics but the solemn nature of some parts will leave some fans aching for more power-rock.

Even though the band has been forged in the fire of post-hardcore, their origins try to strive above the ordinary hence the deeply hidden plot-driven antics that became their moniker.

Admittedly, this album sounds musically more like that of Coheed & Cambria’s  first incarnation Shabutie, as the depths seem to lack the charge of what now is considered to be more the heart & soul rather than the bones that surround the living corpse of our hero.

As most will already know, the story pulls in the listener so the desire to listen overwhelms the necessity, those who are dedicated to either the illustrated story or the descriptive prowess intertwined within the lyrics will buy this album and never regret doing so.

Just don’t forget that side project, The Prize Fighter Inferno, is still another chapter that you need to acquire. The story’s never over and we’re yet to hear the beginning.