Hailing from Nyack, New York, Coheed and Cambria's weave elements of progressive rock, pop, heavy metal, and post-hardcore. Their narrative-driven albums, excluding 2015's The Color Before the Sun, are conceptually tied to Sanchez’s The Amory Wars, a sci-fi saga also captured in comic books and a novel. With ten studio albums, including the critically acclaimed Vaxis – Act II: A Window of the Waking Mind, Coheed and Cambria continue to push the boundaries of their genre, blending intricate storytelling with powerful, genre-defying music.
Today marks a significant moment for Coheed and Cambria fans as the band unveils "The Joke," a rare stand-alone track emerging from the Vaxis II LP sessions. This release, available via Evil Ink / Virgin Music, is complemented by a remixed and remastered version of "Deranged," a track previously heard on the 2011 Batman: Arkham City soundtrack. For the vinyl enthusiasts, Coheed and Cambria offer two colored 7” versions through their website, with exclusive editions available via Revolver, Brooklyn Vegan, and Claudio Sanchez’s own Evil Ink.
In discussing "The Joke," frontman Claudio Sanchez explains, "The meaning behind ‘The Joke’ is basically, if you need a punching bag, I’ll be that guy." The song's video further explores this theme, featuring The Amory Wars' beloved character "Al The Killer" tormented by a malicious prankster. Meanwhile, "Deranged" delves into the symbiotic, twisted relationship between Batman and The Joker, now rejuvenated with Zakk Cervini’s mixing prowess.
This new music sets the stage for Coheed and Cambria’s expansive summer 2024 tour. The band—comprising Claudio Sanchez (vocals, guitar), Travis Stever (lead guitar), Josh Eppard (drums), and Zach Cooper (bass)—will co-headline shows with Primus in July and August before joining Incubus for late summer and early fall dates. In October, Coheed and Cambria will headline Furnace Fest and perform at the When We Were Young Festival, offering fans a live rendition of their 2005 opus, Good Apollo, I’m Burning Star IV: From Fear Through the Eyes of Madness.
For over two decades, Coheed and Cambria have built a legacy of innovation and immersive artistry. With "The Joke" and "Deranged" adding new dimensions to their rich discography, the band shows no signs of slowing down.
* = w/ Primus