I initially wanted to make this post tomorrow, but I discovered I won't have time since I'm working much of the day and then I'll be out the rest of it with family. So, I'm taking a bit of time here now to look back on this past year, with some highlights of many memories -- both good and bad.

January:
Actually, I don't remember too much happening in January. I do remember my classes during that semester being really fun and exciting, and January was when they all started. I took two English courses and continued my studies of animation and other related art fields. My sister turned 18 on the 13th, and as of that day everyone in my household are officially adults. It's a strange feeling.

There were two big events during this month. The first was seeing Alice in Chains in concert at the Hollywood Palladium, my third time seeing them. All the brothers went, including my sister-in-law's brother, just a guy's night out. I love Alice in Chains. In fact, they are second only to Coheed and Cambria. That was a kickass night, and they played all their best hits. The second big thing was my nephew James' 3rd birthday. His parents have thrown him wonderful parties for his birthday every year, and the little guy's been growing into a cute little kid. I'm so excited to see where he goes from here on out.

Very little happened in March. My brothers Tim and Steven had their birthdays, ten days apart, Tim turning 22 and Steven turning 34. One of the things I've kinda liked is how Steven was born on St. Patrick's Day, and thus was given the middle name Patrick. I always remember this every year.

This was by far one of the best months. Oh, where to start... Spring break came along, and my friends, my brother, and I went on a one day camping trip. Short, but so worth it. Sloppy Joes are amazing! Easter Sunday with the family, good food and lots of entertainment as it always is. It was also the month of the release of Coheed's latest album, Year of the Black Rainbow. My love for this band has grown so considerably that this was arguably the first Coheed record I was really looking forward to. April also saw my participation in Relay for Life, a massive cancer fundraiser. My team and I raised over $1000 for it, and the event itself was a lot of fun. I'm looking forward to it next year! And finally, it was my niece Rachel's birthday. She turned 1. I adore her so much. Having a niece, in some ways, is such a special thing. Since then, she's becoming a cute and very outgoing little girl, and I'm just as excited to watch her grow up.

By far, the highlight of this month was seeing Coheed and Cambria live for the first time in nearly four years. In support of their recently released album, the band played many songs off the new record and some old hits. As it was also the first time seeing them live where I knew all the songs, this was a far better experience than the first time I saw them in 2006. Mother's Day was also really nice. It was nothing extravagant, just some simple gift giving to my mom, but she had a wonderful time. The only other highlight was school letting out for the summer.

I barely remember anything that happened during June, except for Father's Day, which was more or less like Mother's Day. Just something simple with the family alone. I also saw Iron Maiden in concert. Totally awesome!

I love barbecues, especially fourth of July barbecues. And when they're done at my Steven and Christy's house, you know you're in for a fun time! The only crappy part was my phone falling into the pool, but that was quickly made up for with a cool new one within a week!

I saw Coheed and Cambria another time. In fact, it was four years exactly to the day I first saw them. It wasn't quite a similar epic experience during the time I saw them in May, but it was still awesome. I can't express in words alone how completely amazing it is to be that close up to the guys as they jam. August was also my mom's birthday. She's a trooper. My mom is one of the most amazing people I know. She's been through a lot, much of which should never happen to anyone, but she presses on. For that, I can never thank her enough. August is also the month of my other nephew -- and James' baby brother -- Cole. He turned 1 year old. He's a shy little guy, but I swear his laugh is the most precious thing I've heard. And as I look back on the year, you know what the best thing about this month was? I met Katie.

School was back by now. Most of my classes proved they were no pushovers, as work began to pile up. However, I alleviated much of this by playing a lot of Zelda with Katie. We're total nerds, we know it, but it's so much fun to play along to a game with someone. :) I also started blogging, and I've grown to really enjoy writing my thoughts down.

October was rough. There were many moments during this when I felt at my worst, and many people I know were feeling down as well. There were some good points though. My twin brother, Jonathan, and I turned 21, and celebrated the following week by going to Vegas with Steven and Tim. It was a small trip but so well worth it. I'm not really one for gambling, but just the thought that I can do it legally is quite the cool feeling. Halloween was boring, largely because I was working that night and it was really slow. I played even more Zelda with Katie during this month, and we finally kicked the crap out of Ocarina of Time!

The first bit of the month wasn't too great, but it picked up after a while. It was stressful and very overwhelming in terms of school and work, but I pressed on. My dad had his birthday. There are a lot of issues between my dad and... well, pretty much everyone. Some are for good reason. In spite of this, I know he's only trying to do what he can, and no matter what happens, I'll always be proud of the fact that he helped raise me to be who I am. Thanksgiving was a wonderful event. I love when my family comes over to our house; it's roomy, plenty of space, and there's a lot to do in the different rooms. And such amazing food!

December:
This year definitely went out with a bang. School ended, and my grades were some of the best I've had in a long time, which I'm proud of because I was struggling when the semester started. After weeks of planning, my grandpa arrived two days before Christmas and spent the holiday with us. Christmas Eve was a quiet family at home night, while Christmas Day saw the whole family over with us again. I got lots of new clothes as well as The Amory Wars comics, so that I can finally understand Coheed's concept. It was, truthfully, the best Christmas I've had in years. The day after Thanksgiving we had a potluck. This past Tuesday, the grandchildren took our grandpa out deep sea fishing. We caught 85 fish that day and grandpa showed us how to clean and fillet them! And yesterday, we had a massive fish fry. Today, my grandpa went home. It was truly a wonderful week and month, and I'm kind of sad it's over. However, I'm also happy. I'm the happiest I've ever felt in a long time thanks to a very special someone who's made me feel like the luckiest guy in the world.

2010 was probably one of the best years, or at least that I really remember. I had more good moments than bad. Even those moments where I felt like giving up were overshadowed by all the good that happened. To this, I wish you all a wonderful and happy new year in 2011!

After a long, dark, and twisted road, the story of Good Apollo, I'm Burning Star IV, Volume One: From Fear Through the Eyes of Madness comes to an end in a way that could only fit such an album -- more twist, more gore.

Today I present another double feature post. I hadn't really counted on the fact that I'd be so busy tomorrow with New Years' Eve events, and so I hadn't realized that if I wanted to finish reviewing this album before the end of the month I'd better put in some extra effort. So, hopefully this will be the last time I'll be doing songs back to back like this.

This first review is more about the story rather than the actual music, bear with me here.

The next song on the list is the penultimate -- "The Willing Well III: Apollo II: The Telling Truth." As the name implies, this is a sort of sequel to "Apollo I." Thought it chronicles different events, it's the mental battle going on through the Writer's mind that makes the song a sequel. In "Apollo I: The Writing Writer", the Writer has his first serious thoughts about how the fiction he's created must come to an end. Throughout the course of the album he's discovered a way to make this happen -- by killing the character known as Ambellina, and force Claudio Kilgannon into a situation where he has no choice but to accept his destiny as the Crowing.

Now, this song is the final result of these events. Several things are going on this song. As the Writer makes his way into the story, Claudio, Ambellina, Jesse, and the rest of the gang are making their way to House Atlantic, the headquarters of Supreme Tri-Mage Wilhelm Ryan. As soon as they land, Jesse becomes engaged in a brutal fight with Ryan's right hand man, General Mayo Deftinwolf and is killed -- thus ending the last of the original K.B.I. IRO-Bots.

Claudio and Ambellina make their way to Ryan's lair, but are quickly ambushed by none other than the Writer himself. Through the use of the Willing Well, the Writer has finally entered the story world. He wastes no time attacking Ambellina. Finally, at the sight of this seemingly insane being attacking his faithful guardian, Claudio evokes his Crowing powers and attempts to fight the Writer. However, as the Writer is literally God of his world, Claudio is easily overcome and the Writer mortally wounds Ambellina, forcing Claudio to listen to the Writer's demands and accept fate.

That all being said, there is certainly very much going on here. I don't feel like I can comment too much on the music of the song. It's more or less a repetition of what's found on "Apollo I" with a bridge added into the mix. Even the lyrics are mostly the same, but worded differently. In this way, to the casual listener who wouldn't likely know the song's place in the concept, they might think the band just got lazy with songwriting. However, it's truly important that this song sounds similar to its predecessor.

There is no song I can think of from Coheed and Cambria's career that is more progressive, more disorienting, and more twisted than the second song of the four-part series: "The Willing Well II: From Fear Through the Eyes of Madness." Though worded differently from the actual album title, this song is obviously the album's title track. To use poetic license, this song is the kind that likes to catch you off guard. It starts off completely one way and by the end has gone the other direction.

At first, one listens to the song and perhaps thinks it might be a slightly happier tune. However, as it progresses it feels like the song catches you in its mouth, chews you up, and then spits your mangled remains of blood and bone all over the wall. That's probably what Claudio Sanchez would think anyway.

While the lyrics remain just as twisted and dark, the song fools you into thinking this might be a lighter approach to the concept because it starts off with a hooky, upbeat guitar riff accompanied by some equally catchy vocals. In some ways it's the most pop sounding riff of the album. Don't let that fool you. It doesn't take long for the song to change its tune and become something else. The chorus consists of a heavier riff, reflect just a bit of the madness to come with the line "You'll burn in hell while they're digging you out."

Of course, then the song just throws you back again as it returns to a second verse consisting of the same catchy hooks, only to return again to the chorus. But even then, the band takes a step further with a bridge full of fast-paced rhythms by Claudio and Josh.

We've finally arrived at "The Willing Well" series. The last four songs on From Fear Through the Eyes of Madness are hands down the most progressive sounding of not just this album, but perhaps of Coheed's career. Clocking in at over seven minutes each, "The Willing Well" series takes up a good chunk of the album's running time at a near half hour. There's a lot going on in these songs, both musically and conceptually. With such strong vocalizations from Claudio Sanchez, the work of all the band members, and the ever continued twisting of the story, "The Willing Well" songs prove as some of the best work the band has ever written.

Within the concept, the Willing Well is where the two worlds -- the Writer's world and the world of Heaven's Fence -- collide. As depicted on the front cover of the album's lyric booklet, the Willing Well is literally a portal between the worlds, a portal that exists in each and allows communication and travel between the two. Though the Writer doesn't realize this yet, he will soon, and it will be through this portal he will finally have the ending he so desires.

The first within this series is "The Willing Well I: Fuel for the Feeding End." This title is quite literal. As the Writer's world and Claudio Kilgannon's world collide, the Writer contemplates his final decisions to create an ending for the story and relieve him of his suffering. In a sense, these thoughts and decisions are "fuel" for the final end. The final stages of the album -- and ultimately the entire story -- are coming together. During the song, the narration travels back and forth between the Writer and Claudio. Being parallels of each other, the two share similar thoughts as they dwell upon their similar destinies -- both will bring about the end of Heaven's Fence and the Keywork, but for different reasons; the Writer feels compelled by grief over his failed relationship with Erica Court, and Claudio is compelled by fate. Because the two are parallels, they are also experiencing the same feelings for Ambellina. Just as the Writer would wish to spare Ambellina the fate he has in store for her because he loves her character, Claudio has fallen in love for the fallen Prise. All in all, the song acts as a bit of character development rather than focusing on particular action.

From the beginning, the song is heavy and a bit fast paced. Even the opening synthesizer indicates something a bit heavy. I can't quite describe how the opening riff sounds, but for some reason it just sounds like an internal conflict. It's not quite the kind of song that indicates physical confrontations, and so this is part of what makes Coheed and Cambria terrific songwriters. The most noteworthy moment of heaviness is within the chorus, with Claudio adding a sort of growl to his vocals in "Little maggot off the Westside of your sin/Run little maggot til they learn of what you did." 

"Fuel for the Feeding End" changes pace, timing, and melody so often it's hard to imagine it's one cohesive song. Elements of this sort of songwriting were seen off In Keeping Secrets of Silent Earth: 3 in its title track and "21:13", but not quite to this extent. And even then, I don't feel that this song is the most progressive tune of "The Willing Well" suite. However, it's still enough to toss the listener around wondering if they've moved on to the next track or not. I feel this helps to reflect the inner turmoil going on through the characters' minds.

One of the most amusing things I've found in the song is the repetition of "Feliz seria que hora" after the chorus. Assuming my translation is correct, this means "Serious happy hour." Taking this into context, I find this funny especially since nothing about this situation should be remotely funny or happy. Still, I know Coheed and Cambria consists of some funny people so this could just be for Claudio's own amusement. I won't pretend to understand it.

From the start, "The Willing Well" promises to deliver on epic progressive rock tunes. As we progress through the rest of them, it becomes clear that Claudio Sanchez's head has only begun to form some dark and twisted thoughts for his story.