Coffin Feeder – Big Trouble
Reviewed By: Jon Santitoro
Review Score: 8.5
Following up on a successful string of singles and EP’s released in ‘22, up-and-coming Belgian death metal bulldozers, Coffin Feeder have finally released their monstrous full-length debut album (April 25), Big Trouble on Listenable Records. Featuring crisp recording production, pummeling rhythms and razor-sharp guitar work, Big Trouble is an all-encompassing work that incorporates grindcore, tech-death, hardcore and some strategically placed black metal atmospherics into a seething cauldron of musical extremity.
Initially formed in ‘21, Coffin Feeder is a collaborative effort comprised of veterans of Belgium’s death metal and hardcore scenes (including members of Aborted, Leng Tch’e, and Fleddy Melculy). This naturally explains the potent stew of varied influences, all of which are brilliantly and violently featured throughout the duration of Big Trouble. Unlike the works of many of their contemporaries, the varied styles let loose throughout the duration of Big Trouble never feel forced; but rather form a single, cohesive, balled-up fist of an album the leaves the listener battered, abused, and begging for more.
While lyrically inspired by the testosterone fueled action movies of the 80’s and 90’s, to refer to Big Trouble as a mere concept album is a bit of an over-simplification. And not altogether true. Each track is a stand-alone siege engine of tech-death brutality and hardcore groove.
Following the short intro, ‘There Will Be Trouble’, Coffin Feeder explode into violent action with the album’s first single, ‘Porkchop Express’. An excellent lead-off track, ‘Porkchop Express’ runs the gauntlet of tech-death blast beats and hardcore style break downs. Tight, precise drum work courtesy of Siebe Hermans highlight this savage monstrosity, giving ‘Porkchop Express’ an almost mechanical feel to it’s undeniable ferocity.
While Big Trouble is fully loaded with heavier-than-thou break downs, ‘The Destroyer’ is the most hardcore styled track on Big Trouble, which is appropriate considering it’s lyrical content. The song itself is every bit as muscular as it’s cinematic counterpart. And of course, the added sound byte from Conan the Barbarian isn’t simply a nice touch… it’s necessary. Fans of the movie will doubtless appreciate the inclusion of Schwarzenegger’s famous quote here.
‘Love at First Death’ has a decidedly black metal feel to it, which isn’t a bad thing. The atmospheric styling adds yet another intriguing twist to the varied elements of Big Trouble. Vocalist Sven De Caluwe shines on this track in particular, smoothly transitioning from death metal growls to black metal screams and back again.
The short, but undeniably catchy ‘OBEY’ kicks off the back half of Big Trouble with it’s relentless pummeling. Clocking in at only 2:32, ‘OBEY’ packs maximum impact within it’s limited time frame. It’s quite simply the most concise and brutally effective track on the album. It’s an excellent track that should not be overlooked.
‘H.I.S.S.’ is an unusual track that seems to be more sound byte than actual song. But it’s got an eerie vibe all it’s own, and adds yet another unexpected dimension to Big Trouble that helps keep the listener engaged. While interesting, ‘H.I.S.S.’ is probably better suited to be an outro than a mid-album change of pace track. But that’s a minor criticism. Splitting hairs, so to speak.
The standout track the entire album just might very well be ‘A Good Day To Die’. Despite it’s relatively short run time (3:28), ‘A Good Day To Day’ is nothing short of epic. Crushing riffs (from axe men Bart Govers and Jeroen Camerlynck) are accompanied by unexpected synth work and backing vocals to give this track an undeniable larger-than-life sound and feel. ‘A Good Day To Die’ is an apocalyptic masterpiece that showcases Coffin Feeder at their crushing and titanic best. If there ever was a soundtrack for the collapse of humanity, ‘A Good Day To Die’ is it. This is the type of track that simply keeps getting better (and more devastating) with every listen. It would make one hell of a show closer should the band decide to make it a part of their live set.
Overall, Big Trouble is a diverse, multi-faceted release that is interesting, intense, well produced and worthy of praise. For metalheads unfamiliar with Coffin Feeder, Big Trouble is an excellent starting point in which to check the band out. I look forward to hearing more from them in the coming years.
Big Trouble is set for release April 25th, via Listenable Records