Much like {$Death Cab for Cutie}, {\emo} devotees were aghast with horror when {$Coheed & Cambria} left the shores of their indie label to depart for the good islands of major labeldom. And for those just catching up on their {$Coheed & Cambria} folklore, this is first part of two, which will be the conclusion to their four-part concept album saga detailing the saga of two protagonists, {%Coheed} and {%Cambria}. It's not necessary to know all of the facts and story lines to enjoy {^IV}, which is a {\prog rock} {\opera} on par with anything that {$Rush} or {$Queensr˙che} ever released. But the interesting thing to listen for is the evolution of the group's sound, since success sideswiped the group with 2003's {^In Keeping Secrets of Silent Earth}. The {\emo} chords and songwriting dynamics have been shed in favor of a more {\prog rock}, {\heavy metal} sound that was so dominant throughout the '80s. Nowhere is this more evident than in the album's opener, {&"Welcome Home"}; with its bombastic strings, dramatic buildups, breakdowns, and dual guitar solos, it's one of the best {\metal} licks that 1985 never made. The album concludes with a four-part song cycle that acts as a subplot within the album, and will most likely act as a bridge for volume two when it's released. But conceptual plots aside, this is an album that finally lives up to the {\heavy metal} promise and unapologetically delivers the goods with a full head of steam. ~ Rob Theakston, All Music Guide