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Song

Open The Gallows

Artist

Coffin Storm

Coffin Storm backstory

Any band featuring Darkthrone’s Fenriz gets plenty of attention. And that was proved again last year, when Coffin Storm emerged with their debut album, Arcana Rising. But at this act’s core are two more Norwegian metal veterans, Aura Noir’s Apollyon and Infernö’s Bestial Tormentor (aka Olav Knutson), who, until 2007, both served time in doom metal outfit, Lamented Souls. After stepping down from live duties with Aura Noir, Apollyon and Knutson starting jamming again. They enlisted fellow Kolbotn native Fenriz for vocal duties and voila, the ‘Storm was born.

“Initially I was assuming the music would be doom metal,” says Apollyon about the making of Arcana Rising. “I think all of us had (Candlemass classic) Epicus Doomicus Metallicus in mind but even if our songs are slow/mid tempo, the riffs ended up being more thrashy than I had expected.”

In Apollyon’s own words

“Open The Gallows is the longest track I have ever made. Initially we were thinking instrumental old Metallica-style with loads of guitar melodies and shit. Apart from the opening/ending though, there’s not much Metallica in there. The main riff is Kreator-inspired if anything. Fortunately, we ended up having Fenriz sing on it after all because the vocal lines are amazing.

“This being an all Kolbotn project we invited Arild (Myren Torp) from Obliteration/Abhorration/Necromantheon/Black Viper to do a legendary long-ass guitar lead as well.

 “Either way I thought the song deserved a video and Mr Matthew Vickerstaff came up with this idea to use clips from old B-movies. He did a fantastic job with collecting and editing, making it an exciting 10 minutes plus watch. Enjoy!”

The verdict on Open The Gallows

Open The Gallows hooked us when it was released last year, but now accompanied by a bonkers (and ultra-metal) video, the track has sunk in even deeper. It’s ten minutes of head banging bliss and a fitting homage to the 80s metal Gods this trio rightly worship.

That tense, prickling intro, the glorious way the main riffs kicks in, the piercing solo from Torp, the pounding crescendo… it all rocks our underworld.

What’s next for Coffin Storm?

According to Apollyon, the band have plenty of material left in the vaults for an album number two. “Work is progressing slowly but surely amid all the other things we have going on currently – keep your eyes peeled,” he says.