Huge fan here. Been to maybe 12 of their concerts including the”Neverender” shows where they play an entire album
SSTB, IKsSE:3, and GAv1 are considered the band’s “holy trinity” by most fans, but there is plenty to love on every album. As you go to the later albums, the lyrics get less edgy and the sound gets less lofi, but the magic is still there. Year of the Black Rainbow is probably the least-liked album, but even that has some bangers like Shattered Symphony and Here We Are Juggernaut. The problem with YotBR is the mix isn’t great. I think people would like it a lot more otherwise. Their newest two albums are the start of a “new” story that I think will be 4 albums. Window of the Waking Mind is a fantastic album but a bit of a deviation from the norm. There’s a lot more electronic and pop rock sound to it, and the title track is like some kind of musical number.
I could rant for hours about what I love and like about the band. They’ve been my most played artist on Spotify every year that they’ve done the “Wrapped” thing and they have maybe less than half a dozen songs that I don’t like.
If you’re looking for more, there’s a ton to get into relating to the Amory Wars including comics and games. I love the fact that there’s a big story, but I will also say that if you peer too closely, you’ll notice that it doesn’t all make a lot of sense, but that’s ok. They also have some side projects out there or bands that they work closely with that you might like as well if you want to get more into the artists. Prize Fighter Inferno, Weerd Science, and Davenport Cabinet are all side projects of some of the main members (there’s also Fire Deuce, but that’s… something else). You could also check out LS Dunes and 3 which have some involvement from the members. And I can’t mention related bands without plugging Thank You Scientist
If you just want stuff that sounds similar to Coheed but isnt too heavy, check out Circa Survive or Mandroid Echostar
I mean, this has always been true about the monster taming genre. This game just kinda leans into it like it’s a joke instead of pretending it isn’t happening. Not saying I’m a fan of that angle. In fact, the original trailer had CG video of pals working in sweat shops and they all looked sad and tired, and it was a huge turnoff for me from the game. But let’s not pretend that the premise of every monster taming game ever isnt that you force them into servitude and almost always into violence.
That said, after seeing actual gameplay, all you do is send your pals out on your ranch and they perform chores. It’s not especially dark or gruesome about it. Sometimes the chore is helping you make food or medicine, and sometimes it’s mining or logging, and yes, sometimes it’s making weapons or ammo. I’m not a fan of the memes about slavery or the people who think it’s funny, but the game marketing doesn’t strike me as all that problematic. I would argue it’s worse that you run around punching and shooting these creatures and making them fight to the death, but again, that’s the whole genre. Did you know there are games where all you do is shoot people? People love that shit