Coffin Hunters – Cosmic Dawn
Release Date: 17th July 2026
Label: Bitter End Records
Bandcamp
Genre: Traditional Metal, Progressive Rock.
FFO: Iron Maiden, Queensryche, Pink Floyd, Phantom Spell, Blue Öyster Cult, Uriah Heep, Manilla Road, Angel Witch, Tank.
Review By: Eric Wilt
Once in a while, an album comes across my desk that completely knocks me for a loop. Cosmic Dawn by Coffin Hunters is one such album. The band is on their third full-length, and I’m somehow just now learning about them, but I guarantee I will be checking out their back catalog ASAP. The band, which is made up of singer/keyboardist Sean Rivera, guitarist Eric “Swede” Harriman, bassist Brian Crites, and drummer Brennan Kunkel plays a mix of traditional heavy metal and progressive rock with a touch of speed metal and a few blast beats thrown in for good measure.
Rooted firmly in the 70s and 80s, Coffin Hunters leans heavily on Swede’s galloping guitar work and Rivera’s swirling keyboard runs and soaring vocals to create a sound that is more fun than a box of puppies. The first two tracks give a great glimpse into this side of the band. Isle of the Dead and Skeleton Key feature Rivera showing off his Geoff Tate-like falsetto overtop of a bouncing rhythm anchored by Crites and Kunkel. Give Up the Ghost has a Maiden-esque feel that is perfectly accented by the addition of the keys which gives the song a progressive feel. Red Horizon and Blood Moon see the band leave their comfort zone to an extent as they feature blast beats and speed metal riffing, respectively.
Cosmic Dawn is easily one of the most fun albums I’ve heard this year. Fans of everything from Iron Maiden to Queensryce and Pink Floyd to Phantom Spell will find much to sink their teeth into this album.
(4.5 / 5)
