Noothgrush/Coffins: Split LP
Any veteran of the doom metal scene is familiar with these two names, without a doubt. That saves us a lot of time, see, because where we’d normally spend an introductory paragraph talking background and bio, we can now use that space to write pointless nothingness like this sentence, which you will still read because it’s simply here. Thus, this introduction has nearly no point, it’s merely a space waster, so we can place the image at the left into here and it doesn’t simply hang without text. Have you made it this far? What are you doing with yourself? Do you think we’re going to suddenly make sense around here? Well, fine, you’ve had your fun. Let’s start by reiterating one of our peeves around these parts, and that’s splits. Why? Because splits are usually never really splits. They’re often more like fourths, or thirds, or even sixteenths, more of a practice in theory than substantive reality. There are two bands, thus it was written, something like that. Normally, one outshines the other, or one has so much more material its ridiculous to even say the other band is present. Just needed someone to cover the printing fee perhaps? Here, however, we’re treated to a split in the classic sense, in the “this is actually a good idea” sense.
Noothgrush opens this split LP, which for once is actually a split in the literal sense because each band has essentially an equal portion to provide. The Grush, well, this is kind of what they’re known for, as they only really have one full-length under their belts, and the rest of their output is primarily splits. Suffice to say, they know how to do a split, they are the essence of split. Here you’re treated to three tracks, each with that depressing, pounding sound they’re known for. You’ve got some groove, you’ve got some chords to stew over, drinking yourself into a stupor, or worse. Some of the lines they hit are simple in structure, yet biting to the heart, they’ll sting open old wounds and hatred, and that’s the good kind of doom. Really the only complaint with their selection are the samples of what sounds like a schizophrenic man talking about reality on one track. A bit of it would have sufficed, but he takes up probably more than he should have. However, at least it’s interesting and not simply a sample placed randomly without true purpose. Further, they don’t waste much time getting back into tear your heart to pieces. Good to go so far.
Now we get to the other half. If Noothgrush is the, let us say, ruminating sexton placing the vault with the casket into the ground, Coffins is the gruff vault worker who throws the granite slab on top so all inside is forgotten. Coffins seems like a little risk for this split at first, until you listen to it in its entirety. Gruff is key here, because, if you haven’t heard them, and that’s doubtful if you’re reading this, they lean more towards grind and death metal. Their sound has elements of doom, that’s obvious, but instead of clean and direct, it comes off as more sickened, sludgy, and raw. The first track of their selection, “Down in Revelation,” for example, comes in slowly, it’s an awakening ghoul in the background, slouching its way out of the fog, and when it’s there, it’s present in all its ghastliness. They give a little more speed here than Noothgrush does, but it’s a fine compliment. And though their playing time is slightly less, it’s almost the same length with two tracks, perfectly evening out this wonderful LP split, and for once making us understand what split actually means and not hating the concept entirely.
Written by Stanley Stepanic
Noothgrush/Coffins: Split LP
Southern Lord
4.5 / 5
