RESPLENDENT GROTESQUE

"Resplendent Grotesque" is the 2nd full-length studio album by Norwegian/English black metal act Code. The album was released through Tabu Recordings in June 2009. In the years between the band's debut full-length studio album "Nouveau Gloaming (2005)" and "Resplendent Grotesque", lead vocalist Kvohst and bassist Viper (aka Vicotnik) busied themselves with the recording of D'dheimsgard's 4th full-length studio album "Supervillain Outcast (2007)".

...and there are many similarities between the two projects. Most prominently the distinct sounding lead vocals by Kvohst. His aggressive raspy vocals are caustic as ever, but it's his soaring clean vocals and vocal melodies that stand out the most. Another thing the two projects have in common are the elegant use of dissonance in their music. The music on "Resplendent Grotesque" is not quite as progressive nor is it as adventurous as the music on "Supervillain Outcast (2007)" though. The music on "Resplendent Grotesque" is relatively simple in structure even though the band often incorporate the odd progressive section to keep things interesting. It is Kvohst's vocals and strong voice, that makes all the difference here though. He is such a skilled and distinct sounding vocalist.

The band are very well playing and the powerful and clear sound production suits the music well. While the tracks are well composed it's only a few that really stand out and about half of the tracks on the album could have been a bit more memorable. They are still great tracks, but I just feel they could have been better. Some of the tracks that stand out are "Smother the Crones", "In the Privacy of Your Own Bones", "The Rattle of Black Teeth" and "Jesus Fever". While "Resplendent Grotesque" isn't a consistently excellent release, it's still a high quality album for fans of the more twisted and slightly progressive part of the black metal spectrum (acts like Void, Ved Buens Ende and especially D'dheimsgard come to mind) and a 3.5 - 4 star (75%) rating is fully deserved.