North Carolina rockers Between the Buried and Me continue to push the prog envelope with their latest release “Coma Ecliptic” out on Metal Blade Records. The new album is an 11 track rock opera with each song a chapter in the life of a man stuck in a coma and having to deal with the horrors of his own mind as he journeys through his past lives.
This time out, there is more of a focus on clean vocals and melody as frontman and keyboardist Tommy Rogers challenges his vocals throughout. The music of course is a combination of classic progressive rock and metal core, uniquely Between the Buried and Me. With layer upon layer of sounds, the listener is treated to both lovely arpeggios and heavy breakdowns. “Node” and “The Coma Machine” have a pop vibe similar to Queen at times but don’t worry there are heavier arrangements. The guitars of Paul Waggoner and Dustie Waring battle and blend in tunes like “Dim Ignition” and “Famine Wolf.” An interesting change up is the jazz vibe of “The Ectopic Stroll” with not to be missed fusionesque guitars.
With “Coma Ecliptic,” Between the Buried and Me continues to break through sonic barriers and has given us a terrific new record. With complex rhythms, exquisite melodic layering, and just enough brutality to keep things interesting, “Coma Ecliptic” is a journey you simply must take.
