Coheed and Cambria brought their narrative-driven brand of progressive rock to Fuji Rock in full force, mainly showcasing tracks off their latest album ‘The Aftermath: Descension’. The first number dispelled any doubts about not being able to match their recorded material. Warping, wailing riffs slid over sleek powerful drumming, with frontman Claudio Sanchez’ wild hair serving as an ever thrashing metronome to the beat.

Fuzzy bass brought the second song to life, riffs ringing out high as Claudio encouraged the crowd before a heartfelt vocal duel between the high and soft voice respectively of Claudio and guitarist Travis. The transition to the next was slower, as a foreboding sci-fi sample set the scene before a scintillating guitar run opened it up. The complex interchange between guitars gave way as the chorus is yelled with feeling, while Clauido went insane across the stage with hair flying everywhere.

Showing his tricks aren’t limited to guitar, he also began singing through guitar, giving a reverb-heavy edge to his voice. The song progressed to a funky almost Arabesque guitar lead, as a sense of danger increased until it levelled out. A sense of almost yearning slowly replaced the anger through the lyrics and guitar, as the drums go to another level with a flailing dance beat. The band eased back into heavier territory, bass leading from the intro with a rocking and a rolling line, as the vocalists’ voices became anguished. The song was a slow sadness, pounding each note into the listeners ears like gravestones into the earth.

The band finished off with the blazing ‘Welcome Home’, which to new listeners sounded an awful like the theme from Tetris put through a grinder and turned into metal. The band ended with grand guitar melody, a final old fashioned pro-rock breakdown that took 2 minutes to finish and some gymnastical guitar playing behind Claudio’s head and with his mouth. Not only the music but also the narrative that the band chose to explore ensured that the set would be remembered by all those there.