The vocal-like synths immediately set the stage with an overture-esque, militant atmosphere, signaling the adventure that’s about to unfold on the ‘Isle of the Dead’. One of the bands that completely took me by surprise after hearing July’s Metal Monthly this year, hosted by comedian Blayne Smith for BangerTV, is the California-based group Coffin Hunters.
At first glance, you may think that’s an unusual name for a band rooted in traditional metal while blending progressive and psychedelic twists and turns, but it works remarkably well. The band has been around for ten years, releasing an EP in 2017 followed by two studio albums between 2019 and 2022. So, when their third studio album, Cosmic Dawn, landed on my lap via Bitter End Records, I knew right away I had to give it a listen.
From the moment I loaded it onto my trusty 32GB iPod touch, I was transported back to my junior college days, discovering bands from the first issue of PROG Magazine like San Diego’s ASTRA through their first two albums, The Weirding and The Black Chord. I also heard echoes of ’70s Italian progressive rock, Bigelf, King Crimson, Rush, Iron Maiden, and even this year with a re-introduction to Swedish maestros of Prog Metal, Hallas. That’s how good Coffin Hunters really are. They get straight down to business and make no apologies, delivering powerful progressive metal at its absolute finest.
The current lineup consists of vocalist and keyboardist Sean Rivera, bassist Brian Crites, drummer Brennan Kunkel, who takes over Jorge’s former role, and guitarist Sweden. The artwork for Cosmic Dawn speaks volumes. It feels as though the band drew inspiration from the fantasy illustrations found in Heavy Metal magazine, creating imagery that perfectly complements the album’s adventurous themes and larger-than-life storytelling.
Listening to ‘Give Up the Ghost’, Sweden’s crushing guitar riffs create a striking doubling effect between rhythm and lead passages, while Rivera subtly tips his hat to Premiata Forneria Marconi’s ‘Celebration’. Add in shades of Iron Maiden’s Piece of Mind era, Uriah Heep’s ‘Easy Livin’, and galloping arrangements that charge forward like an army marching into battle, and you have a song that becomes a rallying cry.
It feels like the soundtrack to saying farewell to your loved ones before charging onto the battlefield, filled with epic musical textures that leave you stunned and immediately asking yourself, “What in the hell was that?!” Continuing the Uriah Heep-inspired spirit, ‘Skeleton Key’ is every bit as powerful, serving as another epic war cry.
Rivera channels elements of Ronnie James Dio, David Byron, and Bruce Dickinson, blending them into a delicious metallic smoothie that’s ready to fuel the ultimate workout before sending you hurtling into the roller coaster ride of a lifetime.
‘Last Nail in the Coffin’ finds Coffin Hunters venturing into psychedelic, Moog-driven Italian progressive territory. It evokes not only P.F.M., but also Unreal City, Le Orme, and La Coscienza Di Zeno, with just enough Black Sabbath thrown into the mix. It’s like sitting down to a rich Italian feast, seasoned with vintage progressive flavours from the golden days of the Vertigo and Ricordi labels. The closing section, featuring melodic guitar improvisation and an almost Mellotron-like lullaby, gently ushers in the funeral procession.
The title track, ‘Cosmic Dawn’, unfolds as a triumphant fanfare that could easily accompany an episode of Voltron, a scene from Transformers: The Movie, or an episode of Netflix’s Love, Death & Robots. This is power metal done right, complete with soaring keyboards, charging riffs, and enough headbanging momentum to make you feel every ounce of its energy and spirit.
Between the blazing ‘Red Horizon’ and the sinister atmosphere of ‘Blood Moon’, Coffin Hunters go in for the kill. Rivera’s expansive keyboard work and Sweden’s blistering guitar playing showcase the incredible chemistry shared by the band. The music conjures images of Taarna from Heavy Metal, sword in hand, preparing for one final confrontation with the Barbarian leader in an unforgettable act of vengeance.
I can easily imagine Coffin Hunters watching Heavy Metal countless times and using ‘Blood Moon’ as an alternate soundtrack for Taarna’s story and her ultimate sacrifice to destroy the Loc-Nar once and for all.
There’s still something special about this band that completely caught me off guard after discovering them through this year’s Metal Monthly. Listening to Cosmic Dawn only deepened my appreciation for what Coffin Hunters have accomplished. They proudly keep the spirit of classic heavy metal alive while pushing it forward with progressive ambition, memorable songwriting, and a fearless sense of adventure.
Whether you’re flipping through the latest issue of Heavy Metal, revisiting Voltron, or diving back into Robotech: The Macross Saga, Cosmic Dawn deserves a place on your soundtrack. Coffin Hunters have crafted an album filled with towering riffs, adventurous progressive arrangements, and cinematic scope that demands repeated listens. If this is where their journey is heading, then the future looks incredibly bright, and I can’t wait to hear where they venture next.
