Now, here are two bands that do not need much introduction. Coffins and Noothgrush collaborating! When it comes to the underground doom scene, it does not really get better than this. If you need proof of that, just go ahead and check out some of the back catalogue of these two bands: Coffins, with epic releases such as The Other Side of Blasphemy, Mortuary In Darkness, Buried Death and, their most recent The Fleshland, are giving all they’ve got in the two songs they are contributing to this release. As for Noothgrush, who have released a series of demos and splits, their one and only full-length to date is one of the best doom metal records of the 90s – I am speaking about Erode The Person obviously. And now, with Dino Sommese, previously of Asunder and Dystopia, in their line-up, they are rejuvenated.
The three songs that Noothgrush bring are filled with destruction and filth. “Humandemic” kicks things off with a slow tempo taking over completely and old school riffs hammering down slowly. The insane vocals are introduced, trying to tear your ears through and through, while the drunken groove of the band invites you to join in this unearthly feast. The sludge storm rages on with a re-recording of “Jundland Waves”. The doom riffs are always present, while strange effects are swooping in making the track sound even weirder as Noothgrush gradually increase the tension. Once again, the groove is key to the band, and in this instance they are using it to cause an almost nauseating effect.
The final song from Noothgrush is completely mental. It will probably have you wondering what it is that you have just found on your toothbrush. With spoken parts looped until the end of time, the descent into obscurity and despair begins. For over nine minutes, you are will experience the absence of all light and hope while Noothgrush unleash all their weight upon you. The transforming sonic landscapes of the track and a certain minimalistic outlook towards their music make the track even more menacing. As the band moves forward, you are always accompanied by the fear of what will appear next. The destructive parts and the sludge riffs give way to the minimalistic spoken parts, and as “Thoth” ends, you are left with only one thought (more of a command really) in mind: “Hit repeat!”.
On the other hand, Coffins bring on their doom/death devastation. The music of this band is much more uncontrolled compared to Noothgrush. To put it simply, where Noothgrush allow their nihilistic side to take over, Coffins unleash their primal, bestial nature.
A storm of feedback is what you find in “Drown In Revelation” as the Celtic Frost influences suck out all the air, leaving you to suffocate within the core of Coffins music. The repetitive theme of the track creates a constant beating of your soul, as the deep vocals mock your futile attempts to escape this nightmare. The band is able to retain its energetic vibe, and when the tempo starts to pick up, you can feel the ground shaking… of course they soon slow down, and if you listen carefully, you will probably be able to hear your skull being crushed under the weight of those riffs.
The split concludes with the second Coffins track, “The Wretched Path”. In this instance, the band relys much more on their groove and rhythm, forcing you to bang your head relentlessly and without any remorse to their Hellhammer/early-Celtic Frost ideas. The strange leads and the overall upbeat mood of the track are the highlights here, with Coffins doing what they know how to do best: create mayhem. The track fucking stinks of ancient evil and overflows with malice.
To be fair, there is not much need for a conclusion here; if you know the history of these two bands, then you know that this is a split album that you need to get straight away. I mean, Noothgrush and Coffins in one release? How much more sick and heavy can it to get?
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