Coheed and Cambria have returned with a new standalone single, “The Joke,” which arrives today along with the B-side, “Deranged.”
Originally recorded during the sessions for the band’s 2022 album, Vaxis II: A Window of the Waking Mind, “The Joke” features the band’s signature twist on progressive rock. Throughout, vocalist Claudio Sanchez carries the melody over a driving beat and layers of distorted guitars, with synth-lead interludes in between.
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“The meaning behind ‘The Joke’ is basically: if you need a punching bag, I’ll be that guy,” Sanchez said in a press statement. The song arrives today with a video depicting Al the Killer (a character from the band’s Amory Wars universe) facing off with a Joker character. Stream it below, or if you’d like to get your hands on a physical version, check out the limited 7” colored vinyl editions of the single here.
Along with “The Joke,” Coheed and Cambria also shared the B-side “Deranged.” First released in 2011 as part of the Batman: Arkham City soundtrack, the song — which “focuses on the co-dependent relationship between Batman and the Joker” — has been remixed and remastered for this new release. You can stream it below as well.
The release of “The Joke” and “Deranged” arrives as Coheed and Cambria are gearing up for their two 2024 tour legs, the first with Primus and the second with Incubus. Kicking off in July, the band’s dates will take them to cities like Pittsburgh, Detroit, New York, and more before wrapping with a performance at When We Were Young 2024. Check out their upcoming dates, and grab tickets here.
Meanwhile, the first new issue of the sci-fi comic series by Sanchez, The Amory Wars: No World for Tomorrow, arrived in stores today via Boom! Studios. As for the music, Coheed and Cambria have teased that they’re currently working on Vaxis III, the follow-up to 2022’s Vaxis II.
Coheed and Cambria 2024 Tour Dates:
07/12 – Redding, CA @ Redding Civic Auditorium *
07/13 – Bend, OR @ Hayden Homes Amphitheater *
07/15 – Idaho Falls, ID @ Mountain America Center *
07/18 – Redmond, WA @ Marymoor Park *
07/19 – Troutdale, OR @ McMenamins Edgefield *
07/20 – Spokane, WA @ Pavilion at Riverfront *
07/22 – Bonner, MT @ Kettlehouse Amphitheatre *
07/24 – Sioux Falls, SD @ Denny Sanford Premier Center *
07/26 – Waite Park, MN @ The Ledge Amphitheater *
07/27 – Cedar Rapids, IA @ McGrath Amphitheatre *
07/28 – La Vista, NE @ The Astro *
07/30 – Cincinnati, OH @ The Andrew J Brady Music Center *
08/01 – Indianapolis, IN @ Everwise Amphitheater at White River State Park *
08/02 – Madison, WI @ Breese Stevens Field *
08/03 – St. Louis, MO @ Saint Louis Music Park *
08/05 – Cuyahoga Falls, OH @ Blossom Music Center *
08/06 – Columbus, OH @ Kemba Live! *
08/08 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Stage AE *
08/09 – Buffalo, NY @ Outer Harbor Buffalo *
08/10 – Big Flats, NY @ Tag’s Summer Stage – The Budweiser Summer Stage at Tag’s *
08/12 – Saratoga Springs, NY @ Broadview Stage at SPAC *
08/13 – Portland, ME @ Thompson’s Point *
08/14 – Washington, DC @ The Anthem *
08/16 – Richmond, VA @ Virginia Credit Union Live! *
08/17 – Charlotte, NC @ SKYLA Credit Union Amphitheatre *
08/23 – Detroit, MI @ Little Caesars Arena #
08/24 – Rosemont, IL @ Allstate Arena #
08/27 – Philadelphia, PA @ Wells Fargo Center #
08/29 – New York, NY @ Madison Square Garden #
08/31 – Boston, MA @ TD Garden #
09/03 – Tampa, FL @ Amalie Arena #
09/06 – Irving, TX @ The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory #
09/07 – Austin, TX @ Moody Center #
09/09 – Denver, CO @ Ball Arena #
09/12 – San Francisco, CA @ Chase Center #
10/04–06 – Princeton, AL @ Furnace Fest
10/19 – Las Vegas, NV @ When We Were Young
* = w/ Primus
# = w/ Incubus