Allow me to start by saying this was a fantastic night for a concert. The Electric Factory was
buzzing with energy when I showed up, and everyone around me seemed very enthusiastic about the show.
Having never seen Coheed and Cambria before, but being a very big fan I was excited about the show and
hoping they would turn out to be as good live as they were on their CDs.
First to the stage was Torche, who would have been more aptly named Torture. Their set was less
than impressive in every possible way. The lyrics were garbled and didn’t match the instrumentals. They
seemed stiff and wooden while performing and the whole act seemed phoned in. What I’m trying to say is,
if you have the chance to see them, I wouldn’t recommend it. I could be wrong, but just about everyone in
the crowd seemed to agree with me.
Next up was Circa Survive, let me just start by saying that their performance more than made
up for the tragic showing Torche put on. If Circa Survive had been the final act of the night I could have still
left a happy man. Yes they were indeed that good. Front man Anthony Green was in rare form this warm
May evening. With tracks from Juturna, On Letting Go and their 2010 release Blue Sky Noise, they played
something for everyone from the old to the new fans. Between his hypnotic gyrations and his honey-dripping,
lithium infused vocals he took everyone on a trip they will not soon forget. A performance worthy of their
reputation and then some.
Finally it was time for Coheed and Cambria to take the stage. Now as I stated previously, I could
have left after Circa Survive and been happy. But if I had I would have missed out on one of the most epic
performances The Electric Factory has ever been graced with. Those not familiar with Coheed’s thematic,
science-fiction related music would still enjoy one of their shows, but for those who know what it’s all really
about it becomes that much more impressive. Based off of the The Amory Wars by Coheed’s very own
Claudio Sanchez this unifying theme really rings through once you really listen to the music. Claudio lends
his passion for the story to his vocals which are only perhaps a half notch below godlike. All the while he
manages to play the guitar as if he has sixteen fingers on each hand. Everyone in the house that night was
worked into a frenzy, screaming, shouting, pressing forward to get as close to the stage as they possibly
could. Coheed and Cambria were even better live than they are on their albums. I’m still singing along with
the songs as I’m writing this. Next time Coheed is in your town make sure you go because I’m
sure it will be a show to remember.
