ALBUM REVIEW: Coliguns, "Millennials"

By: Charlie Butler

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 23/03/2018

Label: Hummus Records

“Millennials” is a whirlwind of chaos interspersed with periods of hypnotic heaviness. Coilguns have crafted a killer record played with a hunger and venom that leaves all competitors eating their dust.

“Millennials” CD//DD//LP track listing:

1). Anchorite
2).  Deletionism
3).  Millennials
4).  Spectrogram
5).  Music Circus Clown Care
6).  Ménière’s
7).  Wind Machines For Company
8).  Self Employment Scheme
9).  Blackboxing
10).  The Screening

The Review:

Fans of the chaotic heaviness of classic Hydra Head bands like Keelhaul and Knutneed Coilgunsnew LP “Millennials” in their lives. The unpredictable Swiss quartet have taken that powerful early 2000s sound, imbued it with their distinct brand of mayhem and dragged it screaming into the present.

“Anchorite” opens proceedings with a slowly unfurling locked groove that sounds like Mastodon’s “Remission” being dragged into a pit of sludge. The uncomfortable, dark atmosphere cast by this track persists throughout this mesmerising record that flits between simmering controlled carnage as demonstrated on “Self Employment Scheme” and brief bursts of head-scratching math-metal like “Music Circus Clown Care”.

The title track demonstrates Coilguns ability to temper their complexity with raw, paint-stripping punk rock intensity. Few bands can deliver this kind of raging adrenaline rush, hurtling into oblivion like their sadly missed Swiss comrades Krugeron a collision course with the sun. A looming doom riff appears to signal a snail-paced climax before the drums thunder back in at full speed to maintain the rapid velocity.

This is just one example that highlights the importance of Luc Hess’ drumming. More often than not, the drumming on these tracks will pursue an unexpected path for a band of this style to great effect. “Spectrogram” is based on an ominous, tom-heavy pattern that has more in common with post-punk than metal or hardcore. Its ominous repetition provides the perfect backdrop for the bands lumbering riffs and slowly building wall of sound. The restrained menace and eerie twinkly keyboard sounds conjure up a claustrophobic mood that brings to mind the underrated Breach. When the band lock into a punishing, Shellacstyle riff on “Deletionism”, the drums shuffle in and around the riff instead of providing the expected punishing groove. This makes it all the more powerful when the beat returns to more traditional heavy territory.

“Millennials” is a whirlwind of chaos interspersed with periods of hypnotic heaviness. Coilguns have crafted a killer record played with a hunger and venom that leaves all competitors eating their dust.

“Millennial” is available here

Band info: bandcamp || facebook