Vaxis – Act II: A Window of the Waking Mind is the tenth studio album by American progressive rock band Coheed and Cambria. The album, like most of the studio albums from the band, is a concept album that continues the Amory Wars storyline. It was released on June 24, 2022.
| Vaxis – Act II: A Window of the Waking Mind | ||||
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | June 24, 2022 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 53:03 | |||
| Label | Roadrunner | |||
| Producer | ||||
| Coheed and Cambria chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Vaxis – Act II: A Window of the Waking Mind | ||||
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Writing and recording
editWork on the album traces back to 2019; in May 2020, frontman Claudio Sanchez stated that approximately 75% of the album had been written.[1] Sanchez noted that while he had the general concept of the album's story outlined, he was struggling with some of its themes in the wake of the breakout of the COVID-19 pandemic.[1] He recounted starting a song called "Hallelujah Quarantine" in September 2019 that was themed around a criminal organization that misused voluntary quarantines to steal from people, a concept that, when written, seemed harmless, but upon the onset of COVID-19 lockdowns and controversies around them, seemed problematic or could be misconstrued.[1] The album was produced by Claudio Sanchez and Zakk Cervini.[2]
Themes and composition
editThe album is a concept album that furthers the story established in most of the band's prior studio albums, The Amory Wars.[3] It is the second part of a five chapter story arc, described by the band as "a couple on the run from tyrannical forces and their mysterious new addition".[3] Musically, Sanchez noted the band emphasized working without limitations and taking risks rather than "just giving the fans what they want", something he felt veteran bands sometimes fall into later into their careers.[3]
In addition to furthering the story concept, Sanchez has stated that several of the songs were inspired by the COVID-19 pandemic, during which the album was recorded.[4] In particular the songs explore the challenges of living through quarantines and lockdowns ("Comatose", "A Disappearing Act", "Love Murder One", "The Liars Club").[4] Other songs were inspired by the murder of George Floyd ("Ladders of Supremacy") and Sanchez's relationships with his son ("Blood", "Rise, Naianasha (Cut the Cord)") and wife ("Our Love").[4]
Release and promotion
editThe album's name, track list, and initial release date of May 27 was first announced in January 2022.[5] In April 2022, the band announced they were delaying the release a month to June 24 due to China's COVID lockdown causing supply chain disruptions, making the vinyl release impossible for the original date.[6] The album is the band's first since Vaxis – Act I: The Unheavenly Creatures in 2018, the band's longest gap of their career.[3] The album's deluxe edition features a 96-page hardcover novel "A Window of the Waking Mind" that ties into the album's concept, written by Sanchez and his wife Chondra Echert.[2] Singles "Shoulders" and "Rise, Naianasha (Cut the Cord)" were released well ahead of the album in 2021, along with accompanying music videos.[7][8] Further singles "The Liars Club" and "Comatose" were released in 2022 ahead of the album's release.[9] To promote the album, the band went on the headlining "Great Destroyer" tour with Sheer Mag prior to its release, and headlined the A Window of the Waking Mind Tour in summer 2022 alongside Alkaline Trio and Mothica.[10][11]
"The Liars Club" was featured on the soundtrack of NHL 23.[12]
Critical reception
edit| Aggregate scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Metacritic | 81/100[13] |
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [14] |
| Classic Rock |   [13] |
| Distorted Sound Mag | [15] |
| FwrdAxis! | [16] |
| Ghost Cult Magazine | [17] |
| The Guardian |  [18] |
| Kerrang! | [19] |
| Metal Injection |  [20] |
| Riff Magazine | [21] |
| Rock Sins | [22] |
| Sputnikmusic | [23] |
Vaxis – Act II: A Window of the Waking Mind was released to critical acclaim from many contemporary music critics.
Track listing
editAll tracks are written by Claudio Sanchez
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "The Embers of Fire" | 1:35 |
| 2. | "Beautiful Losers" | 3:35 |
| 3. | "Comatose" | 3:10 |
| 4. | "Shoulders" | 3:24 |
| 5. | "A Disappearing Act" | 3:29 |
| 6. | "Love Murder One" | 3:25 |
| 7. | "Blood" | 3:56 |
| 8. | "The Liars Club" | 3:48 |
| 9. | "Bad Man" | 3:28 |
| 10. | "Our Love" | 2:28 |
| 11. | "Ladders of Supremacy" | 6:48 |
| 12. | "Rise, Naianasha (Cut the Cord)" | 5:19 |
| 13. | "Window of the Waking Mind"[24]
| 8:38 |
| Total length: | 53:03 | |
Personnel
editCoheed and Cambria
edit- Claudio Sanchez – vocals, guitar, piano, synthesizer, production
- Travis Stever – guitar
- Josh Eppard – drums
- Zach Cooper – bass
Additional musicians
edit- Christopher Jahnke – orchestral arrangements, orchestration
- Atlas Hendrix Sanchez – guest vocals
- Taylor Williams – programming
Technical
edit- Zakk Cervini – production, mixing, engineering
- Chris Athens – mastering
- Nik Trekov – engineering, editing, mixing assistance
- Jon Lundin – edit engineering
Artwork
- Chase Stone
Charts
edit| Chart (2022) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australian Digital Albums (ARIA)[25] | 23 |
| German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[26] | 27 |
| Hungarian Albums (MAHASZ)[27] | 7 |
| Scottish Albums (OCC)[28] | 16 |
| Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[29] | 40 |
| UK Albums (OCC)[30] | 73 |
| UK Rock & Metal Albums (OCC)[31] | 4 |
| US Billboard 200[32] | 23 |
| US Top Alternative Albums (Billboard)[33] | 2 |
| US Top Hard Rock Albums (Billboard)[34] | 1 |
| US Top Rock Albums (Billboard)[35] | 3 |
References
edit- ^ a b c "Claudio Sanchez Outlines Concept of Next Coheed & Cambria Album, Vaxis II". May 12, 2020.
- ^ a b "Coheed and Cambria Announces New Album 'Vaxis II: A Window of the Waking Mind'". Bass Magazine - the Future of Bass.
- ^ a b c d "Coheed and Cambria set May release for new album 'Vaxis II: A Window of the Waking Mind'". NME. January 15, 2022.
- ^ a b c "Vaxis II: A Window of the Waking Mind by Coheed and Cambria". June 24, 2022 – via music.apple.com.
- ^ "Coheed and Cambria confirm new album, Vaxis II: A Window of The…". January 14, 2022.
- ^ "Coheed and Cambria share acoustic version of "The Liars Club," delay album release date". Alternative Press. April 27, 2022.
- ^ "Coheed and Cambria announce new album, Vaxis II: A Window of the Waking Mind, due this May". January 14, 2022.
- ^ "Coheed and Cambria announce new album Vaxis II: A Window of the Waking Mind". January 14, 2022.
- ^ "Coheed and Cambria serve up harmonized guitar-driven new single, Comatose". May 18, 2022.
- ^ "Coheed and Cambria announce new album 'Vaxis II: A Window of the Waking Mind'". Alternative Press. January 14, 2022.
- ^ "Alakaline Trio Replace Dance Gavin Dance on Coheed and Cambria's Headlining Tour". Loudwire. June 9, 2022. Retrieved June 9, 2022.
- ^ "NHL 23 Soundtrack Playlist Reveal". EA. Retrieved November 4, 2023.
- ^ a b "Vaxis – Act II: A Window of the Waking Mind: Coheed and Cambria". Metacritic. Retrieved January 17, 2023.
- ^ "Vaxis II: A Window of the Waking Mind". AllMusic. Retrieved June 24, 2022.
- ^ "ALBUM REVIEW: Vaxis II: A Window Of The Waking Mind – Coheed And Cambria". June 20, 2022. Retrieved June 24, 2022.
- ^ "ALBUM REVIEW: Coheed And Cambria – Vaxis II: A Window Of The Waking Mind". June 23, 2022. Retrieved June 24, 2022.
- ^ Tippell, Chris (June 21, 2022). "ALBUM REVIEW: Coheed & Cambria - Vaxis II: A Window Of The Waking Mind". Ghost Cult Magazine.
- ^ "Coheed and Cambria: Vaxis – Act II: A Window of the Waking Mind review –rocket-fuelled pop anthems". The Guardian. December 29, 2022. Retrieved January 17, 2023.
- ^ "Album review: Coheed And Cambria – Vaxis – Act II: A Window Of The Waking Mind". June 20, 2022. Retrieved June 24, 2022.
- ^ "Album Review: COHEED & CAMBRIA Vaxis – Act II: A Window Of The Waking Mind". June 21, 2022. Retrieved June 24, 2022.
- ^ "REVIEW: Coheed and Cambria go big on 'Vaxis II: A Window of the Waking Mind'". June 20, 2022.
- ^ "Coheed and Cambria – Vaxis II: A Window Of The Waking Mind". June 20, 2022. Retrieved June 24, 2022.
- ^ "Coheed and Cambria – Vaxis II: A Window Of The Waking Mind". Retrieved June 24, 2022.
- ^ "The lyrics to Window of a Waking Mind are broken into 6 parts on the vinyl sleeve". Reddit. June 28, 2022. Retrieved July 1, 2022.
- ^ "The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 4 July 2022". The ARIA Report. No. 1687. Australian Recording Industry Association. July 4, 2022. p. 10.
- ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Coheed and Cambria – Vaxis II: A Window Of The Waking Mind" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved July 1, 2022.
- ^ "Album Top 40 slágerlista – 2022. 26. hét" (in Hungarian). MAHASZ. Retrieved July 8, 2022.
- ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 2, 2022.
- ^ "Swisscharts.com – Coheed and Cambria – Vaxis II: A Window Of The Waking Mind". Hung Medien. Retrieved July 3, 2022.
- ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 2, 2022.
- ^ "Official Rock & Metal Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 2, 2022.
- ^ "Coheed and Cambria Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved July 6, 2022.
- ^ "Coheed and Cambria Chart History (Top Alternative Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved July 6, 2022.
- ^ "Coheed and Cambria Chart History (Top Hard Rock Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved July 6, 2022.
- ^ "Coheed and Cambria Chart History (Top Rock Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved July 6, 2022.