COFFIN HUNTERS – COSMIC DAWN

Recorded with Greg Wilkinson at Ear Hammer Studios, this album thrives on strong songwriting, erasing any kind of modern studio excess. Production is warm & organic, allowing riffs, bass, & vocal melodies space to breathe. It’s the kind of record that progresses with memorable passages.

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Opener “Isle of the Dead” arrives fiercely with the album’s identity, fusing rock swagger with thick, desert rock weight. “Skeleton Key” continues the momentum, balancing traditional metal muscle with classic rock melodies. The title track injects a burst of speed & energy before the closing duo of “Blood Moon” & “Nightmare Mass” crank up the pace with a welcoming shot of punk attitude.

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Eric Harriman’s guitar work is the Cosmic Dawn’s greatest weapon. His riffs are catchy af, & melodic leads recall the expressiveness of Manilla Road’s Mark Shelton. Meanwhile, Sean Rivera’s unmistakable high pitched vocals bring a kind of flair that suits the band’s tales of mythology, death & cosmic exploration. The subtle use of keyboards, (on tracks like “Give Up the Ghost”) adds an unexpected psychedelic dimension that elevates far beyond retro metal.

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If Cosmic Dawn has a weakness, it’s that several songs follow similar structural patterns, making the latter half slightly less distinctive than its exceptional opening run. Even so, the consistency of the songwriting keeps the album engaging from start to finish.

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Equal parts NWOBHM, prog rock, classic hard rock & stoner metal, Cosmic Dawn is an album made by musicians chasing inspiration. In a scene crowded with nostalgia-core, Coffin Hunters prove that looking backward can still produce something exciting when the songs land this strong.

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SCORE 8/10

Words by LearnTwoExist 

In collaboration with Headbangers Australia

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