Coffins has always been a pretty interesting band insofar as they've managed to create a sound that transcends genre confinement. Combining the heaviness and extremity of death metal, the grooves of sludge, and the attitude of punk, this Japanese quartet's latest release "The Fleshland" takes no prisoners and continues the band's tradition of sonic doom / death torment. This record isn't just heavy, it's thick and incredibly dense to the point that the ringing from the guitars creates a consistent wall of sound that soars over each track like a dark cloud following you to hell. "Here Comes Perdition" exemplifies this perfectly and when the 3:31 mark hits and those riffs decide to get sludgey, you honestly are hypnotized by the power of the guitars. Taking cue from many early black metal bands, Coffins' emphasis on guitars is reminiscent of early proto-black metal acts like Celtic Frost, Hellhammer, and even Bathory. The drums are there, but they don't stand out in the mix or in the music in the same way as many metal acts, it is the guitars and the riffs that take center stage for Coffins and it gives the songs their particular identities.
"Here Comes Perdition"
The influence of early heavy metal is so apparent in the sound of Coffins that it is no wonder why this band is most popular outside of the inner circles of death metal subcultures where a love for not only old school metal but sludge and doom are also celebrated regularly. The slow heavy ending of "No Savior" remind listeners of Candlemass and even Cathedral with its punishing groove and underlining melody. In terms of production, I applaud Coffins for achieving a solid and clear sound while maintaining the integrity of the band's live feel. The drums are perfectly recorded and nothing is overly displayed but not too far removed in the overall mix. Overall, this is a well crafted record and a record that will certainly please the band's long time fans while capturing the attention of many new ones as well.
8 / 10
- Joe