Review: Komatsu ‘A Breakfast For Champions’
I’ve often stated that when you notice me not hunting down new music (be it new band’s or older releases I’ve never heard before), you can safely assume I’m dead. And I’m happy to say, Komatsu (A very appropriate name too!), a power trio hailing from Eindhoven in the Netherlands, are a great validation of this claim.
I like my stoner rock to be more on the rock side of the spectrum, and this one purely satisfies my soul. It flat out fucking slays! Although Komatsu have been in existence for fifteen years and have numerous releases under their belt, I’ve sadly not heard of them until right now.
Within seconds of my first listen to A Breakfast For Champions (its eponymous title track), I was on HIGH ALERT! The manic energy and sheer potency of the attack automatically elevates it over similar bands.
The Devil’s Cut is a bit of a creeper and could almost slot into the ‘power ballad’ realm. It plays with your auditory senses like a cat, and the cuts in and outta the dark with its excellent use of dynamics. The wailing guitar and thunderous power from the rhythm section make it work so well.
Ever watched a car crash? Release The Flies is a slo-mo wreckage happening right before ya very fucking eyes. The sheer grittiness will get in between your teeth and grind ‘em down to the roots on NO TIME! It kicks off with some fat pummelling, until the quiet before the storm settles over it. The last third will leave you battered and bruised. It’s a mid-paced doomy affair and has some awesome dynamics too. After the chaos, it’s straight back into the pit with the terrifying Fatcamp Workout and its blistering mayhem.
a slo-mo wreckage happening right before ya very fucking eyes…
What Lies underneath is another slower dirge, shot through with some smokin’ guitar work over the fuzzy bass and stomp of Jos Roosen‘s powerhouse drumming. The utter drive and darkness of Welcome To The Underworld makes it a bit of a standout for me. Mo Truijens roaring vocals on this one fit perfectly.
Climb The Vines is about as close to a perfect closer on an album this strong as you’re gonna get. The bass and drums (throughout the record) have a life of their own, and this is the best example on the record, even if it did leave me on the edge and wanting more!
A Breakfast For Champions is a fucking beast of an album. The sounds and production are huge, dirty and nasty as fuck. And the playing will rip you a third arsehole (to go with the second one karma owes you, motherfucker!), Slick lil guitar motifs run through the whole shebang, and a heavy-as-fuck ‘tood carries the album on its shoulders. So, be warned, the cauldron of monkeys is gonna own you!
Label: Heavy Psych Sounds
Band Links: Official | Facebook | Bandcamp | Spotify | Instagram
Scribed by: El Jefe
