Dark, powerful sound is the driving force behind Coheed and Cambria's success, and that sound is portrayed beautifully by the Da Capo Players in the String Quartet Tribute to In Keeping Secrets of Silent Earth: 3. The raw emotion that earned Coheed and Cambria respect and popularity enhances every song on this album.

It's amazing what a purely acoustic string quartet can do. Soaring violin melodies and contrabass rhythm characterize each track, but the Da Capo Players offer some surprises as well. "The Crowing" features violins playing bass lines, and an amazing but eerie lyrical melody. "Cuts Marked in the March of Men" features an uncommon, dark duet between viola and cello.

Vocals in "The Velourium Camper II: Backend of Forever" are replaced with haunting cello melodies. The title track "In Keeping Secrets of Silent Earth: 3" and "The Light & The Glass" burst with the rich harmonic sounds and staccato rhythms only strings can produce.

Fans who appreciate the musical depth and emotional power of Coheed and Cambria will appreciate the raw power and accuracy of the sound delivered by the Da Capo Players.

Grade: AB