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COFFIN HUNTERS
Wake The Dead

Self-released (2022)
Rating: 8/10

Now here’s a contender for album of the year – the sophomore outing from Santa Rosa, California-based posse Coffin Hunters.

The front cover artwork screams late 70s / early 80s as a distinctive New Wave Of British Heavy Metal stuffiness fills the nostrils, and from the off we are treated to some truly dust-ridden horror metal tinged with dark blues.

This quartet formed in 2017 and immediately hit their stride with a four-song self-titled EP, which was followed two years later by the impressive full-length debut The Fire Knight.

At the moment there are hordes of bands attempting to recreate those traditional metal values and many fail or become fly-by night pretenders. However, in this case we hear some truly authentic rock ‘n’ roll, propelled by Sean Rivera’s wails which march the title track into the arena. This is a ballsy opener fuelled by Eric Harriman’s cool, jet-black guitar work.

‘Second Sight’ brings a bluesy warmth courtesy of Brian Crites’ bass and Brennan Kunkel’s slaps, and the result is a semi-doom sort of groove which is easy on the ear but drenched in that British, antiquarian darkness.

There’s nothing complex about this record, from its gloomy cover art to that sense of musical starkness. At times, a Corrosion Of Conformity meets Thin Lizzy vibe stirs the imagination.

‘Solitude’ flirts with Iron Maiden, while ‘Dreams Of You’ brings back a strong 70s Lizzy groove. And the bass work throughout the opus knits the band’s groove together nicely.

Meanwhile, ‘To The Grave’ with its solid drum patterns reminds me of The Damned somehow; the band keeping a rich vein of darkness running. But my favourite tune is the immense ‘Coffin Lord’, a stark, doomy ten-minute plodder that builds into epic stature. It’s a fitting way to end this robust, rollicking yet free ‘n’ easy ride from a band that sounds so comfortable in its leathery skin.

Neil Arnold

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