Coffinworm - When All Became None
Debut albums are tricky. In a scene littered with copies of copies, the best one can hope for is a glimmer of originality. Wading through metal’s plethora of influences to perfect a sound can be overwhelming. But a few bands know what they want right from the start. Coffinworm is one.
“Blackened doom” is the genre most often tacked on Coffinworm, but the term “blackened” should be retired. It’s lazy, and metal isn’t seafood. The band draws from black metal’s most redeeming qualities: riffs and atmosphere. “Spitting In Infinity’s Asshole” (try to say that out loud without smiling) starts subtly, builds to a persistent dirge, then kicks up the tempo for a satisfying sludge throwdown. Much like Abscess’ Dawn of Inhumanity (reviewed here), Coffinworm acknowledges OG hardcore punk influences. An old-school breakdown in the middle of “High on the Reek of Your Burning Remains” appears out of nowhere and leaves just as quickly, but it’s there – and it works.
“Strip Nude For Your Killer” is the album’s strongest track. It could easily be part of the score to the ’70s Italian giallo of the same name. Like the film’s disguised killer, the song is unrelenting, with howling feedback, drawn-out pacing, and Dave Britts utilizing rasp/rumble vocals flawlessly. A grooving riff picks the pace up from tortoise to charging buffalo, crashing into the main theme and leaving rubble in its wake. Keeping quality this high will test Coffinworm’s mettle, but it’s laid down an excellent blueprint.
[audio: COFFINWORM_STRIPNUDE.mp3]
[audio: COFFINWORM_HIGHON.mp3]
Amazon (MP3)
Amazon (CD)
eMusic (MP3)
Relapse (CD)
The End (CD)
Profound Lore (CD)
