Mortuary in Darkness

The first album by Japanese doom-thrash trio Coffins, originally released in 2005, establishes their stylistic parameters with its first two songs. Opening cut "Black End" is a slowly drifting, feedback-laced sludge instrumental that could come off just about any Southern Lord release of the early to mid-2000s (think Orthodox, Teeth of Lions Rule the Divine, or Boris). The song into which it leads, though, picks up the pace and shows Coffins to be a band in firm command of punk metal values, taking as much from Hellhammer as from doom. "Slaughter of Gods" is driven by the minimalist drumming of You, as guitarist/vocalist Uchino (formerly the band's drummer himself) cranks out a disgustingly distorted, heavy riff, ably supported by the overdriven, mix-bloating bass of Koreeda. The vocals are close to a Cookie Monster style, but are somewhat unique because of Uchino's accent — the phrase "slaughter of gods" sounds like "snow cones." The album's title track is a Melvins-like trudge; "The Unspeakable Pain" recalls Sleep or the first High on Fire album in its relentless, nearly nine-minute forward march on a monolithic riff; while "Sacrifice to Evil Spirit" speeds up somewhat. "Torture" lives up to its title, beginning with unaccompanied (and skull-crackingly low) bass notes before Uchino's guitar falls from the sky like a toppling building. The final track, "Into the Coffin (Oppression)" is another showcase for Coffins at their heaviest and most exultant, worshiping the almighty riff. Boris get all the attention for being Japan's heaviest rock trio, but that's because they've got a cute girl playing guitar. Coffins aren't cute; they're out to destroy your body and mind. Even on this debut CD, they were more than capable of it.