The anticipation for Coheed and Cambria rises every time a song on the PA finishes with the crowd starting a chant of 'Coheed! Coheed!' before the next song. Visually, the most striking thing of the band, as they stride on stage to a packed Islington Academy, is that someone has replaced the singers head with a fern plant. He has MASSIVE hair, hair like the prog-pop-metal offspring of King Buzzo (Melvins) and Slash (ex-Guns N' Roses, Velvet Revolver).

As they burst into song, the band charm even the dubious watchers standing cynically at the back. The big chorus' and bigger 'wo-ahs' come thick and fast, all bursting with equal parts prog rock and American rock. The singer has a love-or-hate voice, but by golly, he knows how to use it, causing this reviewer to be reminded of the Smashing Pumpkins of the mid 90s.

The songs are picked, in no distinct order, from all 3 albums, kicking off with 'Welcome Home' to an ecstatic audience, many of whom are trying to forget that much of their homework is waiting for them at the back of the venue, along with their parents who are probably just happy that little Bernard hasn't locked himself in his room looking up porn. Again.

Coheed and Cambria grow with each album, but being a "concept band" they never stray far from their, already, very individualistic sound. They're certainly not for everybody, but they're a fantastic band who, once you're lured into their world, won't let you leave.