Sometimes the only thing which will work is sheer unadulterated death metal, which is why I think I grabbed the promo for this album as there was something about the artwork which brought a smile to my face (yes, I’m weird, but I also don’t care). Formed in 2017 by brothers Hayden (vocals) and Derek Johnson (drums) alongside guitarist Tre Wilz, they quickly recorded and released their first demo, and then in 2019 with the addition of bassist Brandon Martinez-Woodall, recorded their full-length debut, ‘A Monument To The Dead’. They have since gained a second guitarist in Jonathan Quintana (Decrepisy, Thanamagus, Ascended Dead) and are now back with the next.

They have the normal influences one would expect (Cannibal Corpse, Morta Skuld, Grave, Obituary, Death, Dead Congregation), but what I find fascinating about this album is the way they switch the tempo around so much. Here is a band who are undoubtedly death, but are more than happy to drop into doom, or turn it into something far more melodic. One never knows what is going to happen in “Predator Becomes Prey” as it starts life as death, then becomes something which is far more in the melodic metal area, just with some shreds, before halfway through everything stops apart from black metal-style bass. This was recorded at The Underworld Studio with Charlie Koryn (Ascended Dead, Decrepisy), then mixed and mastered at Subterranean Watchtower Studios with Damien Herring (Horrendous), and I can only wonder what would have happened if they had been working with a stronger producer who could have challenged them more on the arrangements and had them push those boundaries a little further. As it is, this is a thoroughly enjoyable album for all metalheads, yet there is a hint in there of something greater to come so Coffin Rot is a name to keep an eye on.

Rating: 7/10

Link:
https://www.facebook.com/coffinrot/
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