GRIM COMET is a band that says they call Madrid, North Africa home. That's a pretty unique origin for this self-described Grim Metal trio, even if they truly hail from Madrid, Spain. I wasn't to sure how to interpret Grim Metal, but lets just say an initial answer can be found in the opening track, "Dig Up Her Bones", which we'll delve into momentarily. GRIM COMET formed in 2014 and "Afterlife" is the band's 3rd release, following 2014's "Pray For The Victims" and 2016's "God Is Dead, Let's Eat Him". The trio has garnered a reputation for spectacular live shows, including a 2018 tour in China of all places. Metal truly lives everywhere.

"Afterlife" opens with the bluesy riffs of "Dig Up Her Bones", and immediately GRIM COMET makes a good, if familiar impression. It's a gritty, raw introduction that somehow manages to sound unique and safe all at once. It's a pretty standard power trio approach, and one that continues with "Dead Or Alive". There's a plethora of 70's rock influences, Doom, Stoner and even Thrash meshed into a compelling blend. Even so, it seemed for me that track three, "Over You" was the first track that really seemed to branch out in creativity. There's an interesting time standard, that alternates, and vocalist Willy de Moya even channels some throaty Hetfield like growls. "All on Me" takes on a slower swagger, and also impresses, and the slower pace really seems to highlight the rhythm contributions of  Cabañas and  Cayuela.

Things speed back up a bit with "Born To Die", though I found the track to just be mid album filler more than anything else. The trio adds a Psych element with "In The Dark", that's a pretty fascinating dynamic. It's a sprawling yet still contained approach that I would assume sees some improvisational explorations live. "On & On" returns to the in your face approach that dominates the majority of the album, and truth be told, begins to seem a bit complacent. But just as quickly "A Million Suns" kicks off and adds a more melodic wrinkle that's really refreshing. The album closing "Azabache" (Spanish for 'jet'), throws in some nice Spanish guitar for good measure and manages to keep you guessing exactly what GRIM COMET are really all about.

Honestly, I'm still not 100% sure exactly. I kind of like that. "Afterlife" is an album that's going to take multiple listens to fully appreciate. Again, I like that. Highlights for me were when the band stepped away from the standard "Stoner" approach with songs like "In The Dark" and "A Million Suns". If you're a fan of the 70's/Stoner genre of music but looking for something similar yet different, GRIM COMET are definitely one you should investigate.