HEAVY PROG TRIO COSMIC COLD WAR TALK INFLUENCES
Expansive stout prog threesome COSMIC COLD WAR ( https://www.cosmiccoldwar.com/ ) have dropped their superb new single and video, Absolute Zero – https://youtu.be/Kl3ZekqbkVw . Combining spiralling melodies with powerful riffs, the inventive trio serve up a inimitable blend of prog, groove and alternative metal. With this in mind, we asked the rising crew to offer up their favourite tracks:
“The Grudge – Tool
Other Tool songs may be better known, but this opener from Lateralus has the perfect blend of what makes Tool great – intricate rhythms, sprawling riffs and irresistible vocals. What makes this one truly stand out is its raw power as possibly Tool’s heaviest song. That scream at the end still gives chills 20 years later…
Genesis – Deftones
Ohms was released at exactly the same time that Cosmic Cold War began, and there was something so inspiring about this album. Deftones were sounding heavier than ever and the atmospheric opening synths followed by that simple, smash-your-face-in riff on Genesis was a perfect encapsulation of the vibe we were aiming for.
The Silent Within – Steve Vai
This is one of Vai’s darkest and most philosophical songs and the melodies are absolutely beautiful. His songwriting talent is often overshadowed by his virtuoso playing, but he really crafts an atmosphere and story here. The way he plays with accents on the rhythm to throw you off in the first half of the song is masterful.
Covenant – SOEN
The whole of the album Lotus could be an inspiration for CCW, really; there are so many sensational moments of prog-metal genius. Covenant manages to wrap it all up in a creepy, deep song about corruption in organised religion whilst also making it sound strangely triumphant. It’s really sinister. Joel Ekelöf’s vocals are absolutely beautiful on this track.
The Call of Ktulu – Metallica
So many Metallica tracks are responsible for our sound, but this one gets special mention for being named after the most famous story by the godfather of cosmic horror and key influence on our band, H.P. Lovecraft. The epic instrumental slow-burn of Ktulu perfectly captures the creeping dread that we love to create in our own songs.
Descent – Fear Factory
It’s Fear Factory’s more groove-based tracks that have directly impacted our writing. Descent blends one of their most melodic riffs with some of Burton’s best clean vocals. They were pioneers at the meeting point between metal music and cinematic music and that’s something we try to emulate with everything we do.”
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