Komatsu – A Breakfast For Champions

by Mark 'Yeti' Richard · May 5, 2025

Komatsu is a heavy riff rock band from Eindhoven, Netherlands. Formed in 2010, their music is a mix of sludge, stoner rock and metal. The current lineup consists of Martijn Mansvelders on bass and vocals, Mo Truijens on lead vocals and guitar, and Jos Roosen on drums. The band’s releases include: 2011’s Self Titled EP, 2013’s Manu Armata, 2016’s Recipe For Murder One, 2018’s A New Horizon, and 2021’s Rose Of Jericho. Komatsu just released their fifth full length album and debut on Heavy Psych Sounds, called A Breakfast For Champions. The record was released on April 11th 2015 and contains eight tracks at thirty seven minutes long.

The title track “A Breakfast For Champions” begins with a quick drum roll right in a mid paced guitar lead/ riff. The punchy rhythm levels off as the vocals settle in. The noise rocking verses are joined with powerful and melodic singing. The band erupts into a heavy and viscous rhythm to amp up the audio assault. Komatsu has the capability to transpose light to heavy dynamics into each song very effectively. “Savage” kicks right in with a heavy seance of sounds and some tasty progressive moments. The song has a nice groove happening and the vocals are pretty chill and laid back on this one, for the most part. The music incorporates great leads and a driving heavy metal momentum. The third track is called “The Devil’s Cut” and this is where another side of Komatsu comes into form. The song has a haunting aura at the start with low frequency vocals. The riff has a natural float that transcends into a sludge heavy doom rhythm. The song has a catchy melody that drives it forward and they really explore progressive sounds and lean in to their creativity and talents. “Release The Flies” is another great song that captures more amazing musical arrangements. The mellow tune has a dark tone that distorts into the heavy fuzz. Some of the vocals melodies are tracked which gives them an orchestrated and harmonic sound. It’s a terrific and moody piece that further expands their unique sound.

“Fatcamp Workout” is a sonically pleasing instrumental track that derives sounds from many different sources. The prog driven rocker hammers along with a metal crunch and some doom drenched flourishes. The song has a syncopated rhythm that can be punishing at times. The next track “What Lies Underneath” starts off a little slower but keeps an interesting flow that sucks you right in. The vocals have a big sing along component to them with the dual layering on some parts. The song is an excellent example of the places that Komatsu will sonically take you, a beautiful whirlwind of melodic darkness. The last two tracks on A Breakfast For Champions are the heavy anchors, “Welcome To The Underworld” and the closer, “Climb The Vines”. Both of these songs expand upon the creativity and songwriting skills that Komatsu are executing. This album gets better as it moves along! “Welcome To The Underworld” has a riveting and alluring draw with the music, desert rock jamming and sonically pleasing melodies. The somewhat thrashy verses coalesce around the spoken diabolical vocals and the guitar harmonies are ridiculously good. This song is definitely another high point on this record. The final track is entitled “Climb The Vines”. The six and a half minute song is a monster, weaving hard rhythms of chugging metal with heavy psych and rocking melodies. The electrifying leads decorate the song with atmospheric bliss and give it space to breathe and drift along. Komatsu have created a unique and original sound that morphs many elements of heavy riff rock, grunge, and progressive all together. A Breakfast For Champions is integrative and astonishing stoner rock for the twenty first century. Another worthy contender in the album of the year category.