Sinister Oath (Relapse Relapse), the sixth full-length from Tokyo-based Coffins, is a measuring stick for the Death/Doom scene, providing an undeniable starting point for anyone looking to dip their toes into the genre, performers and fans alike.
It’s telling that the band, founded in the mid-nineties, confidently utilizes vocal-less “empty” space throughout and never once loses the interest or focus of the listener. The momentum remains constant regardless of the tempo or ferocity.
There is truly a little bit of everything within the confines of Sinister Oath, touching upon a plethora of extreme metal tropes: dilapidated riffing, uncontrollable vocals, and a grinding sensation that permeates.
The standout track “Everlasting Spiral” is a prophetic song title, indeed. Boisterously downtuned, thickly and gruff guitar notes meander and dovetail before plummeting into a droning, sluggish, lethargic composition that morphs into a funereal experience.
“Chain” is a prime example of Coffin’s precision. Bodacious drum lines in the introduction snap in such a comforting and gentle way, and the percussion returns in the outro sections in a sequence that is downright inspiring.
The very identity of “Domains Of Black Miasma” spawns uneasiness with foreboding vocals and granular production. However, there is some respite when the track becomes an intrepid headbanger.
The grindy two-stepping on “Spontaneous Rot” is backed by a tightness in sound and execution that’s akin to a perfectly wrapped birthday present. What’s more, a creepy-crawl pre-solo riff on “Forced Disorder” is as pronounced as it is flavorful.
The screams and shouts are consistently barbaric. There are moments that snap the listener back to life. Yet somehow, the Death/Doom veterans manage to at the same time produce drum hits that land like little puffs of clouds.
It’s that ability, and all of the aforementioned accomplishments, which ensure Sinister Oath becomes a beacon in which up-and-comers of the genre take notice.
The death is heinous and unpredictable; the doom is felt in more ways than simple sadness and despair.
Buy the album here:
https://coffins.bandcamp.com/album/sinister-oath
8 / 10
MATT COOK