Coheed and Cambria - The Afterman: Ascension (2012)
 

This is just a killer album full of great hooks and all-around great musicianship. It's not as proggy and epic as some of their past albums, but for what it lacks in that department it more than makes up for it in terms of accessibility and variety. It's basically a condensed version of C&C's past work, but at the same time it continues the band's musical development. That development is most apparent on "Hollywood the Cracked" which might be the band's darkest song to date. Ascension is an extremely worthy addition to the band's catalog, and is perhaps the one that could best help a newcomer appreciate their music due to its conciseness.

9.5/10