Belgium’s Coffin Feeder have just dropped their debut full-length Big Trouble, a blast of grindcore-meets-death-metal mayhem soaked in 80s action movie mania. Out now via Listenable Records, the album is as brutal as it is hilarious — a high-octane tribute to the golden age of VHS, one-liners, and explosive cinema.
We caught up with frontman Sven de Caluwé (also of Aborted fame) to dive deep into the inspiration behind Big Trouble, the decision to tweak their Seagal-heavy original cover art, and which 80s flick taught the band to “GET TO THE CHOPPA!” Spoiler: it’s exactly the one you’re thinking of.
Read on as Sven unpacks everything from movie-fuelled nostalgia to why he still has 3,500 CDs gathering dust at home — and why making brutal metal in 2025 is more satisfying than ever.
Interview with Sven from Coffin Feeder
1. Why was the original cover changed from having Steven Seagal heads strewn everywhere to half Terminator/half Seagal heads?
We were all for the full “Seagalpocalypse” artwork, but apparently, legal teams don’t like it when you depict a washed-up aikido master’s head on a pike 37 times. So we met halfway: “Let’s mix him with the Terminator. Nobody sues the Terminator.” Also, 50% Seagal = 100% improvement.
2. How was Coffin Feeder formed? Who came up with the idea for Big Trouble?
Coffin Feeder was born during the pandemic, when we realized we were too angry to just bake banana bread like everyone else. So we formed a band instead — grind therapy! The Big Trouble idea came from our undying love for VHS-era action insanity. One of us yelled, “Let’s write an album that sounds like Stallone punching a tank!” and everyone agreed immediately.
3. After listening to Big Trouble, I watched Commando and Big Trouble in Little China. Which movie had the biggest effect on you from this era? Why?
Probably Predator. It taught us to trust no one, cover ourselves in mud, and scream “GET TO THE CHOPPA!” in any stressful situation. Honestly, it’s not a movie, it’s a lifestyle manual. Tough call against Big Trouble in Little China tho, after all, that movie inspired Mortal Kombat, and who doesn’t like Mortal Kombat, let’s be honest.
4. Top 5 movies from the mid/late 80s-early 90s?
- Predator
- Big Trouble in Little China
- The Thing
- Robocop
- The Running Man
5. Which movie from the album did you watch first? Any specific memories?
Commando or Big Trouble in Little China really. I remember watching it on VHS and thinking, “This man just killed a small army while shirtless and holding a log.” Inspirational. It’s probably responsible for 80% of the musclecore on this album. The societal criticism in The Running Man always pulled me in super hard too. Kind of like if I was wearing a goddamn belt full of grenades in front of a giant magnet.
6. Favorite genre of film — horror or action/adventure? Favorite from each?
Don’t make me choose, man! That’s like choosing between blast beats and breakdowns. But okay:
Action: Big Trouble in Little China
Horror: The Thing — because it’s terrifying and there’s zero trust. Like touring with a band that only brings one towel.
7. I wore an Aborted shirt to a Megadeth meet & greet, they loved it. Would you wear one too?
Hell yes, I’d show up in full Aborted merch, and scream “WAKE UP DEAD!” in Mustaine’s face. Respect the classics, but always rep your filth. It probably also helped that the Megadeth drummer was in Aborted and I still have some grindcore projects with him.
8. Other film genres you enjoy?
Absolutely. Sci-fi, dystopian, fantasy, even some drama if there’s at least one explosion. Also: guilty pleasure — old kung fu flicks with terrible dubbing. “You killed my master… now you must die!”
9. Favorite 80s comedy?
That’s a really tough one, going from The Naked Gun to Airplane! It’s the only movie where a man inflates an autopilot doll and still gets away with it. That or Spaceballs. Mel Brooks is god-tier.
10. If you could change one thing about the 80s for the better?
Less hairspray. More deodorant. And maybe add internet, but only for Metal Archives and cheat codes. And don’t do the damn Reagonomics.
11. Could today’s trans people get style tips from 80s hair metal bands?
Absolutely. Those bands were rocking eyeliner, spandex, and feathered hair long before Instagram tutorials. Glam metal walked so the rest could werk. Ultimately, everyone should just dress in the way they feel comfortable and what makes them happy, that’s all.
12. How has metal changed since the 80s/90s?
It’s heavier, faster, and somehow more technical than NASA. Back then, it was about evil riffs and shouting at the moon. Now we’ve got 9-string guitars, tempo maps, and synchronized hair flips. Still rules, just different flavors of brutal.
13. If you could erase one movie or band from the 80s?
Movie: Howard the Duck — I’m still traumatized.
Band: Tough call… but I’m side-eyeing Milli Vanilli. Respect the hustle, but come on.
14. Is there an oversaturation of bands?
Yes. And I love it. Let 1000 riffs bloom! If one of them writes a song called “Chainsaw Grandma” and it rules, who am I to complain? People will always gravitate towards the cool stuff. The one thing I have a gripe with is ‘TikTok bands’ if you wanna call that. Sterile produced shit that’s not even a band but sold as a product. Bring back the riffs and music.
15. Favorite 80s/90s bands? Favorite songs?
- Slayer – “South of Heaven”
- Carcass – “Heartwork”
- Entombed – “Left Hand Path”
- Death – “Symbolic”
- Sepultura – “Arise”
You know, the holy syllabus of violence.
16. How did you get into metal? First favorite band?
Started young — around 14 I wanna say, through friends of the local scene. I think my first favorite band must have been Pantera back in the day, Sepultura, Slayer, those things of course, which quickly evolved into Carcass, Suffocation, Entombed, Brutal Truth etc.
17. First song you ever liked?
“Ghostbusters” theme. Catchy as hell. Still is.
Then came Europe’s “The Final Countdown” and I ascended into synth heaven.
18. Prefer the 80s or the 2020s?
80s for the vibe, fashion, and films. 2020s for the tech, coffee quality, and ability to watch Predator on a phone while pooping. It’s a tie.
20. Will Coffin Feeder ever make it to Australia?
We sure as hell hope so. I’ve been a few times with Aborted and it’s always a great time, awesome people/crowds. We are ready to rip and blast breakdowns while dodging spiders the size of my drummer.
21. Favorite thing about making brutal metal in 2025?
You can record a riff on your phone, pitch-shift a pig squeal, upload it to the cloud, and have it mastered by a wizard in Sweden — all before breakfast.
22. Mixtapes vs. Social Media — which do you prefer?
Mixtapes had soul. They bled. You had to earn those tapes. But social media gives us more reach. So let’s say: mixtapes for heart, memes for hype.
23. If you could meet any actor/musician from the 80s/90s?
Arnold Schwarzenegger. I’d just ask him to yell “GET DOWN, LISTEN TO COFFIN FEEDER!!!” I could die happy. Let’s be honest, most of the classic Arnold films are still absolutely brilliant to watch, the first two Terminators? Come on! The Running Man, Total Recall. So much awesome.
24. Vinyl, CD, cassette, or streaming?
The last few years for me it’s mainly been vinyl and streaming. Vinyl when I’m working and chilling at home, streaming when I’m on the move because it’s the most convenient thing. Even if not everything is available. I’ll whoop out the CD collection for albums that are not available, still have about 3500 of them but they’re collecting dust if I’m being honest, listening to vinyl is a bit more of a satisfying experience.
25. Desert island: one movie, one album — go.
Movie: The Terminator
Album: Suffocation – Despise the Sun
That way, even on a deserted island, I can still summon demons with a coconut and a palm frond.
Questions by Brett Parmenter for Metal on Tap and ParMetal Media
Coffin Feeder- “Big Trouble”
Release Date: April 25th, 2025
Order Physical: https://shop-listenable.net/en/1156_coffin-feeder
Order Digital: https://bfan.link/porkchop-express
Genre: Blend of death metal, grind, deathcore and hardcore, branded as a tribute to the great action movies of the 80’s & 90’s.
