Well, when we speak about Metal in Japan, we have in mind that the new names from the lands that Isanagui and Isanami gave birth long ago are strongly linked to extreme Metal. Yes, since the 90s, thousand of extreme Metal maniacs arose on the islands of Japan, creating very good works. And once more, Ol' Big Daddy here has the opportunity to review a release from COFFINS, a Death Metal quartet that comes from Tokyo. And it's from their newest album, "Craving to Eternal Slumber", a total blast of Death Metal.

Following the same way of bands like ASPHYX, AUTOPSY, GRAVE, CARNAGE and MASSACRE, they hold their music to the most tradtional path in Death Metal. Here is not melodies, experimentalisms or breakneck speed. Here the tempos as slow, the songs bitter and heavy as hell, the vocals uses guttural tones, and the instrumental session uses not so much of a technical approach, but rather a simple one that always has good results. And they hit their target again. They really don't want to create something new, but follow their own path into traditional Death Metal.

Once more, a slow funeral dirge of COFFINS has the sound quality with a good sense of clearness and weight, all in equilibrium. But don't wait for something too clear, because the band's style is to be as heavy and distorted as they can. Their musical work is understandable, but very raw and putrid in some moments.

For Death Metal fans, this CD is a fine banquet, having its best moments on songs like the heavy and slow paced "Hatred Storm" (a fine job from the rhythmic session), the long, bitter and extremely slow "Craving to Eternal Slumber" (some riffs are extremely simple, but exceptionally oppressive, and this declamed guttural voice turns everything heavier and as dense as the fog on winter nights), and the slow overdose of adrenaline called "An Obscure Pain" (some humble technical moments are presented here). And for those who loves vinyl disks, "Craving to Eternal Slumber" in LP format has two bonus tracks: "Hellbringer" and an alternative version for "Under The Stench" (from the 2008 album, "Buried Death").

For die hard Death Metal fans from those bands I named above, the band is good. But to extreme Metal fans, it will be just as pleasing, so give them a chance.