I’m thrilled to jump into today’s new release from the German-based alternative rock punk outfit, Coma Beach. Having spent plenty of time with their previous records, I’m genuinely taken by their ability to blend so much energy with thoughtful twists, and I couldn’t be more excited to explore more of their work. Today, I’m shining the spotlight on their latest EP, Passion/Bliss.
This release is the third and final installment in their Scapegoat Revisited series, a project that marks an awesome milestone for the band. It celebrates the 30th anniversary of their 1995 debut, The Scapegoat’s Agony. Reaching three decades in the game is huge, and I love how they’ve managed to honor that legacy while injecting new ideas into their sound. I’ve listened to previous releases in this series, and it always feels as if time has stood still, yet the new twists add flavor that reinvigorates their classic material.
What makes Passion/Bliss stand out is not only its connection to the band’s roots but also the way it nods to broader cultural influences. The album of course was an allusion to Samuel Beckett’s play Waiting for Godot. For those familiar with Beckett’s work, it evokes a sense of the excruciating, often painful emotional odyssey.
I must admit, having reviewed several of Coma Beach’s other EP’s, I’m always eager to see how they reinvent themselves on theses edits. With Passion/Bliss, there’s a nice mix of new tracks and alternative versions of familiar tracks. It’s almost like the band has found a way to keep the spirit of their debut alive, making it feel as if the years have melted away.
The concept behind Scapegoat Revisited feels like a respectful, yet bold, attempt to reconcile what once was with what can be. For a band that has consistently pushed so much great material, this final chapter in the series does more than just commemorate an anniversary, I feel like it stands as an example of the band’s enduring creativity.
I started the EP with the opening track of Passion and from the very first moments, I sensed a disconnection. A numbness that speaks to losing that once vibrant spark of life. The track’s story here feels like a reflection on those times when everything seems to dim, as if you’ve misplaced a part of yourself that once burned with intensity. It’s an experience many of us know well and can relate to that antihero.
That overwhelming state where depression or even the side effects of certain medications leave you feeling detached, like the fire that once fueled your days has flickered out. In these moments, there’s this longing. A desperate search for something, anyone, to pull you back into a world that suddenly appears too heavy to bear.
The track opens with a spoken word section, set against a backdrop of a haunting echo that lingers in the track. This opening is both minimalistic and effective, establishing an atmosphere of isolation that matches the theme perfectly. Around the one minute and a half mark, the guitar work arrives with impact. The way the instrument is mixed into the arrangement feels great, balancing both melancholy and a certain fierce intensity that underscores the internal struggle of the anti-hero.
Moving on to the second track, “Bliss” takes a sharp turn into the territory of self-imposed escape. This song hits hard, serving as the killer of all drive, all motivation, and all joy. It confronts the tendency many of us have to retreat into a shallow escape, a sort of self-protection against a reality that can sometimes be too overwhelming. The notion here is clear, I feel by not paying attention to the chaos of the world, we might convince ourselves that we’re safe. Avoiding endless doom scrolling through our phones or ignoring troubling news might seem like a reasonable way to shield ourselves from harm. But “Bliss” challenges that approach head-on, using vivid imagery to illustrate the dangers of sacrificing genuine thought for a colored illusion of happiness.
“Bliss” push back against this retreat. It feels like a message that bypassing the full spectrum of our thoughts, especially the uncomfortable ones, only narrows our experience of life. There’s a great argument here I found in this track. That even the hard, unvarnished aspects of our minds hold a kind of freedom. And when you take in theses full range of our emotions, including the difficult doubts and uncertainties, is essential if we’re to go through life’s complexities. It wants us to acknowledge but to actively engage with every facet of our inner world. Which, just like the anti-hero, can often times be downright scary.
Musically, “Bliss” makes an great impression with a strong guitar riff that hints at influences from grunge and I would even say doom metal. The riff lays the groundwork for a track that is both heavy and reflective. As the song progresses, it steadily builds intensity, staying true to its promise of delivering a powerful contrast between moments of harsh reality and those that flirt with the allure of superficial escape.
Both tracks, though different in approach, hit you with a shared theme of confronting the loss of vitality and the challenges of modern existence. In the opening track, I found a portrayal of an anti-hero grappling with an emotional void, a nod to the experiences of feeling numb in the face of life’s pressures. “Bliss” then takes that sentiment and flips it, examining the dangers of dodging reality in favor of a curated illusion of comfort. Together, they form a reflective dialogue on how we cope with the overwhelming nature of everyday life.
Listening to these tracks, I couldn’t help but reflect on my own moments of uncertainty and the universal struggle to reclaim that lost spark. Coma Beach has managed to capture something deeply personal and challenging, transforming it into music that is as thought-provoking as it is an all out great rock track.
“Astray (Fallen Angel),” a track that throws a creative critique at religious manipulation. It takes a strong stand against the way faith is sometimes exploited as a means of control, a practice all too common in our day and age. The lyrics take shots at those who twist devotion into a tool for domination. Offering enlightenment on one side while demanding submission on the other. There’s a warning here about the dangers of blindly following charismatic figures who use religion to seize power; some things, it seems, never change. I was particularly impressed with the writing, which feels like it’s reaching out from the past and speaking directly to us today. The guitar work deserves a nod too, my gosh is it great. It carries a melodic influence that hints at power metal. It’s not an overt effect, but if you listen closely, you catch these subtle, engaging details that add another layer to the track’s heavy framework.
Next up is “Nothing Right” in its original version, a song that dives deep into personal regret and the weight of past failures. The track poses questions throughout, almost like a self-examination written in a series of reflective lines that ask how one can continue when burdened by mistakes. The word “murder” is used not to suggest literal violence I don’t think, but as a metaphor for the guilt that accompanies failed actions and lost ambitions. For me, this song is a deep, deep look at whether our missteps have ever truly meant something. It opens with the sound of flowing water, setting a real contemplative mood that really matches that them, before a funky bass riff steps in to establish a street-punk vibe. The arrangement flows into a sound that captures the essence of questioning and self-reflection, making it a track that did he me on a personal level.
Wrapping up the trilogy is “The Final Door,” a track which serves as a powerful close to the series. It carries a story where the past catches up with you, sins and unresolved actions come back, almost as if they’re determined to remind you of what’s been left undone. Rather than depicting the afterlife as a fantastical escape, this song portrays it as a kind of coming home for all that remains unresolved. The visuals I get here in my minds eye are very strong, it has a real fire-and-brimstone aesthetic that transforms the concept of guilt into something tangible. It’s a metaphor for how past mistakes can haunt you, representing either a literal damnation or simply the burden of remorse that follows you. Musically, the track fires everything up with a pure punk rock aggression in its arrangement, delivering an intensity that feels like the only fitting way to finish off this memorable trilogy.
So looking back at the journey through these EP’s has been an experience in itself. Listening to every edit and updated addition, while also going back to hear the record as it originally stood, has truly underscored the artistry of Coma Beach. I’ve genuinely enjoyed every single one of these releases. The band has made something that feels from back in the day, feel new, all while celebrating the 30th anniversary of their debut release. It’s impressive to see how much care has gone into these revisions and updates, making each listen a discovery of both past and present. Even if it’s just a simple radio edit.
I’ve always been drawn to records that offer thought-provoking lyrics and a strong storytelling narrative. This project is no different, it’s like watching a movie unfold in three parts, where each segment adds a unique layer to the overall experience. There’s something incredibly engaging about hearing a story told not through film, but through music that gives its narrative from beginning to end. Every track feels like a chapter in a larger tale, and it’s been a real treat to follow along.
Revisiting the original material side by side with the new edits feels like catching up with an old friend who’s evolved over time. The music carries memories of a past era, when every song felt more intense, and yet the new elements bring a fresh perspective that speaks to the present.
In all, this entire experience has been like witnessing a well-crafted film split into three distinct yet interconnected acts. Each part has its own character and mood, yet together they create a wonderful journey. I can’t help but feel grateful for the opportunity to listen to something so meticulously done, an experience that bridges decades with clarity and heart. Coma Beach, congratulations on bringing your debut back, and congratulations on 30 years of it. This was great.
