Album review: COLTSBLOOD – Into The Unfathomable Abyss

Candlelight – Out Now.

Coming up with a fresh and unique musical proposition in this day and age is quite a challenging undertaking but nothing seems to be able to stop young bands like the Doom/Sludge Metal trio Coltsblood from trying.

First formed in 2010, the trio released a demo and a split with fellow Liverpudlians Crypt Lurker before attracting the attention of UK extreme Metal label Candlelight. Contract papers were soon exchanged and as soon as the ink of the respective signatures had dried, the members of Coltsblood entered the studio and recorded this debut full length album, entitled ‘Into The Unfathomable Abyss’.

Though predominantly a Funeral Doom band, there are certain elements in Coltsblood’s music that are borrowed from harder sounding genres such as Black Metal and Grind.

That, on paper, should make for a very interesting mix but the end result is not always as successful as one would hope or expect. While certain compositions thrive in their simplicity, others sound dull and unimaginative, whereas while the cross-pollination of elements from various genres is quite welcoming in certain songs, in others it undermines their structural integrity and focus.

‘Valhalla Awaits’, the opening track of the album, is a two and a half minute composition operating a simple & repetitive riff whose purpose is to create a build up towards the fifteen minute ‘Beneath Black Skies’ which ensues.

Here Coltsblood showcase their Funeral Doom pedigree, with slow heavily distorted riffs dominating the proceedings and John’s vocals shouting this disturbed message in the background.

There are certain moments when the members flirt with more groove/up-tempo themes only to return to the less urgent riff of the song’s main theme. It is in songs like the two and a half minute ‘Blood’ where the band gets things totally wrong.

I cannot understand, for the life of me, what prompted these lads to go Grind but this style certainly doesn’t suit them at all so I was pleased to find things returning back to ‘normal’ in ‘Abyss Of Aching Insanity’.

While both ‘Grievous Molestation’ and ‘Ulfeonar’ come across as collections of different ideas, rather than songs operating according to a specific formula, the more focused and quite atmospheric ‘Return To The Lake Of Madness’ prove that solid compositions of true emotional quality are not outside the band’s reach.

As a debut release ‘Into The Unfathomable Abyss’, though a mixed bag, present Coltsblood in a somewhat positive light.

While there are certain compositions which I would have chosen to have left out had this been my album, the remaining material on offer contains just about the right levels of atmosphere and energy to convince the average fan of Funeral Doom of the band’s noble intentions.

A decent start but further benefits will be reaped only through sheer hard work. Back to the drawing board, guys?

John Stefanis

Rating: *** (3.0/5.0)

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.

Next session: Sunday 19 January

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio

David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 1 December 2024.

UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 3 December 2024.

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com

Power Plays w/c 9 December 2024

In this sequence we play ‘The Best of 2024′ GRTR! reviewer selections

Featured Albums w/c 9 December 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2024 (Singer Songwriter)