And so, after twelve years at the sharp end of death metal, Endseeker have sought their own end (sorry!) and on their own terms, drawing a line under their career with a five-track EP that acts as both a thank you to their faithful fans and one final, defiant, middle-finger to an increasingly uncertain world. Produced by the band, it’s a short, sharp blast of death metal that captures the band at their very best.
The EP opens with ambitious lead single, Enemies Of Peace, which combines elements of Obituary, Autopsy, and Kreator into a compelling, multi-faceted track that shifts queasily from full-tilt death metal into a dark ‘n’ dirty doom and back again, all over the course of four-and-a-half gruelling minutes. With lyrics that pull no punches when it comes to describing the current wave of populist leaders (and their supporters), it’s a potent, timely song and it provides this ferocious EP with one hell of an opening track. The band follow it up with the white-hot rage of No After. No Before. Delivered at breakneck speed, and with vocals torn from the very jaws of hell, it hits hardest when the band segue into a mid-tempo chorus that proves to be surprisingly melodic and memorable.
Having comprehensively rearranged the listener’s nerve endings, the band offer up the title track. Emerging from the sound of wailing sirens and cruising off the back of a riff so groove laden it should come with a health warning, Coffin Born is an absolute masterclass in toxic death metal, brilliantly arranged and produced, and it’s easy to see why the band named the EP for it. Endseeker then slow the pace for the harrowing Life Breeds Death, which has an early Carcass vibe in its slithery riffs and imperious vocals. As is so often the case, the slower, more methodical riffs hit even harder than the faster portions of the EP, and the band simply build upon the track’s brutal foundation, leaving the listener somewhat battered in its wake.
Wrapping up the EP, and the band’s twelve-year career, is David Hasselhoff cover True Survivor. With Lords of the Lost (whose keyboardist toured with Hasselhoff) lending a hand, it’s delivered with brio and you can feel their love of the source material even as they pass it through the death metal ringer. Delivered with a twinkle in the eye, it’s a ferocious, fun cover and it finds Endseeker leaving the stage with their heads held high and their sense of humour intact.
With great artwork, blistering production, and plenty of memorable moments spread across its twenty-three minutes, Coffin Born is a perfect parting gift from a band who will be much missed. Over the course of twelve years, Endseeker have kept the death metal flame alight and, while we may be saddened by their passing, it is heartening to see them go out on their own terms, and with both an awesome EP and a sold-out hometown show. Make sure you grab a copy, it’s bloody brilliant. 9/10
