Coheed and Cambria – Live @ Iron City

Article and Photos by Andrés Alvarado

Birmingham, Alabama played host to New York’s Coheed and Cambria‘s last show of 2018. The industrially chic Iron City venue was packed wall-to-wall with lively and rowdy fans — all ready to see their progressive metal heroes one last time this year. In support of their ninth LP, Vaxis – Act 1: The Unheavenly Creatures, the Claudio Sanchez-led quartet came to ‘The Magic City’ with a pedal-to-the-metal approach, and delivered a memorable night of thumping bangers and crazy mosh pits.

Like most Coheed and Cambria shows, the atmosphere leading up to the main event is rather intoxicating. Far and wide, conversation pieces amongst attendees could be heard about what could be expected on this rainy and chilly evening. Finally, the clock strikes nine and the boys make their way onto the deck. Loud approving roars overtake the halls as the gang delve into opening tune, The Dark Sentencer, and the wildness begins.

Coheed and Cambria (1 of 1)-4 — Claudio Sanchez of Coheed and Cambria

The night goes as expected, ear-splitting riotous and vibrant. The Coheed and Cambria bunch are of a forceful presence; mainly Sanchez and drummer Josh Eppard. Sanchez comes across as a musical madman on a mission — laying down a mean rhythm guitar and flinging out entrancing vocals. Eppard plays the part of joyous virtuoso; a man filled of boundless energy that appears overwhelmed of glee while doing what he does for a living. For their part, lead-guitarist Travis Stever and bassist Zach Cooper are of a more mild aura; yet their strings rumble big and produce magic with every passing banger. Coheed and Cambria rocked the house. Coheed and Cambria brought their A-game.

Coheed and Cambria (1 of 1)-11 — Josh Eppard of Coheed and Cambria

All said and done, Coheed and Cambria put on a spectacle of ample musical magnitude. Rock and Roll with a comic book twist, dazzling lights, disco balls, and of course, that iconic mop of hair on Caludio’s head. A Coheed and Cambria concert is not for those faint of heart or those looking for a relaxing time involving live music. Coheed and Cambria is a nonstop adrenaline rush in the company of headbangers and crowd-surfers. A great fucking band simply providing a great fucking time. Cheers!