Review by JD on March 6, 2012.

Heaviness is an inherent trait in metal and some bands naturally have it in spades. Through its history, metal have strived to become heavier and more nasty as well, to push the boundaries of musicianship to the breaking point without losing anything from where it had developed from. The UK has given us many heavy bands, originators Black Sabbath, the heavy lads Motorhead and the UK Doom gods Cathedral. Another name might get on that list: Doom Metallers Gallow God.

Gallow God can be summed up very simply and effectively: Very Heavy Doom Metal with intense melody. It is this strong attention to the melody while still being some of the heaviest Doom around that makes the statement. No amount of hype or putting on a spin by some overly paid A&R person could make this type of a declaration and be able to back it up with every word.

Slow and ominous with the strength of melody, each of the four songs on this EP seems to shape into a story that is heavy and melancholy and yet seems to capture the imagination and sends the listener into the realm that is made. I cannot think of too many bands that could pull this all off while being so heavy. Some bands do come to mind, but Gallow God seems to be the one I enjoy.

The UK have been one of metals most prolific band producers and once again they have done just that with greatness attached. If you like Doom played in the traditional way, but played very heavy, you just got the band that will deliver it. They deliver what you need, but yet you get a whole lot more in the process.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 9
Atmosphere: 9
Production: 9
Originality: 9
Overall: 9

Rating: 9 out of 10

Review by Alex on December 10, 2019.

Obviously if you like Immolation, Possessed or Morbid Angel you'll have more than enough to fill your guts with Coffin Curse's debut full length, "Ceased To Be". Since the 90s left and the 2000s came strolling in with pants-sagging alleged metalheads, bouncing when walking and such; the genuine could tell metal was at the time an endangered species coming all too close to have its identity totally diluted by undesirable others. As death metal bands apart from the top tier started gaining the attention of Relapse and friends, pockets started filling thus the gold tinted visions of many an "inspired" asshole (mostly in America) began to carve out their own deadbeat versions of Suffocation, Immolation, Possessed and Morbid Angel. In some ways it felt like the financial success of the 80s would be making a return; however, this time the beneficiaries would be the guys singing about gore, death, zombies and conspiracy theories among the usual themes. However, that was not to be the case, instead of floating in riches (loosely implied), their coin filled desired faded; most try-hards sucked, retreated underground and attempted to blend in with familiars, but even then they were mistaken as their relevance would shrink amidst the glorious stature of Incantation; etc., even more causing many of them to diminish without a trace. Coffin Curse may not fall into that category, however, had this been the early 2000s, chances of hearing about them would have been at its minimum.

You don't need to burst an eardrum trying to find the band touting their influences in this era, some are straight out copycats, however in Coffin Curse's case their drive is not the influence, instead it's the way those influences are incorporated into their produce. "Ceased To Be" offers 8 tracks that while conspicuously modeling in the garments of legends past and present, carries a facial makeup of their own just as noticeable as their borrowed clothing. Yes Immolation, Possessed and Morbid Angel, even a bit of Incantation are attendees at the ball, but Coffin Curse's identity pokes out amongst the big faces, like that $5 dollar bill somewhere in a pile of $50s and $100s that just happens to make its way to the front of the stack in your most desperate time, to not hold up the gypsy-bus line as the driver scrabbles change for your Benjamin. 'Gathered Unto Death' is proof counterfeit bills can get you the same possessions under the circumstances the vendor/customer does not care or is incapable of differentiating between authenticity and invalidity. Personally, I don't mind revisiting old fortunes as long as you demonstrate professionalism during the conduct, thus, it is highly emphasized on 'Gathered Unto Death' and henceforth. "Ceased To Be" is not nearly mediocre if you were misled into thinking so, unlike the plague of sub-par copycat Death bands that don't even have the necessary etiquette to eat the crumbs of such a great.

What can I say, "Ceased To Be" doesn't have 1 weak track, the vox are adequately deep and versatile, the guitars are played in adoration for the genre, the drumming is good, what more could anyone ask of a debut release from the Chileans? Ironically formed in 2012 (the year the world was supposed to end according to some folk) and have only now been tickled by the urge to put out a full-length record following some EPs and a demo. The wait translates to the material when you hear songs like 'Gathered Unto Death', 'Where Sickness Thrives' 'Chopped Clean Off' and 'Extinct'. Certainly not one of those cash-grab bands, if that were the case this would probably be their 7 full length release since formation. Songs on here are sensibly structured, carry followable flow and are filled with many a fist pumping moment. Sensational, absolutely sensational, Max Neira and Carlos Fuentes may have very well made and exemplary offering, complete with the mesmerizing artwork of Daniel Hermosilla, "Ceased To Be" is a flogging administered by competent hands unto many lazy and uninspired buttocks. Don't be surprised if your favorite crappy knocks off band ceases to be, after humiliated by Coffin Curse.

Rating: 8.7 out of 10