Coexistence, formed in 2008, is a long-distance project between guitarist Gregory Giraudo and vocalist Carl Lindquist. One lives in South France, the other in Stockholm, Sweden.

Considering the distance between the two, and the fact that the music was recorded in France and the vocals in Sweden, this four-song EP is not a bad little piece of traditional melodic metal. There is a downside to this kind of recording, though, and it’s evident at times on this record. While all of the songs are well-done and well put-together, it does occasionally sound like a long-distance project. The chemistry that you get when you put a group of guys in a room together and let them jam is missing. The songs, at times, sound like a more mechanical, pieced-together work than the organic give-and-take that you get with traditional recording. That’s most pointed in the transitions on second track “Seize the Day,” which sound a bit chopped.

That said, “Carrion Comfort” is still a pretty good record. The songs are interesting and catchy. I particularly like “Twisted Soul,” even if Lindquist occasionally reaches a little too far trying to deliver dramatic vocals. The title track is probably the most solid number here, offering a balanced attack of aggressive and melodic. The final song, “Layarteb” is a high-energy number with links to bands like Savatage and Iced Earth.

Giraudo has some good chops on guitar and can definitely put together a song, and Lindquist’s voice is rock-solid, sounding like a lower-pitched combination of Matt Barlow and Tim Owens (fitting since he came from an Iced Earth cover band). I like the songs here, but I just wish they were a little warmer and more organic. Let’s get these guys together in the same room for a more extended period and see what they can come up with. That’s a record I’d definitely be interested in hearing.

[Visit the band's website]

---

Comments