CODE

"Lost Signal" doesn't contain any new original material but instead feautures 6 re-recorded and re-arranged tracks from the band's four preceding studio albums. Three tracks off "Mut (2015)" and one track from each of the other three studio albums "Nouveau Gloaming (2005)", "Resplendent Grotesque (2009)", and "Augur Nox (2013)". The tracks off "Mut (2015)" are given a slightly more raw and gritty treatment, while the three tracks from the first three albums are arranged to sound more like the dark and heavy progressive/avant rock/metal of "Mut (2015)". So the black metal influences of the past are mostly gone from the band's sound at this point, although the occasional snarling vocal phrase still stubbornly holds on to a minimal extreme metal orientation. "Lost Signal" however predominantly features clean vocals by lead vocalist Wacian.

Code manage to make the listener feel that "Lost Signal" was recorded live, that's how gritty, authentic, and organic the EP sounds. It's a perfect sound production for the material. Add to that intriguing songwriting and high level musicianship and you have another high quality release by Code on your hands. One of the great things about Code at this point of their career, is that there's stylistic development between every release, and as a listener you just know that they aren't through developing their style yet, and that you can expect more surprises in the future. A 4 star (80%) rating is deserved.

It is the first three songs on this EP that work the best for me, possibly showing just how far they have come in recent years. But, there isn't a dull moment, and anyone into post rock, BM, experimental prog metal etc. will find a great deal here to enjoy. That they cross so many musical boundaries are a testament to Aort, who has kept the band going all these years, and hopefully it won't be too long until we get the next full-length release. For more details visit the label site at www.agoniarecords.com

...as they now play a dark progressive post rock style with no black metal leanings other than the bleak depressive atmosphere. To my ears it sounds like the bastard child of Virus and Anekdoten sprinkled with a twist of Hail Spirit Noir. The raspy black metal style vocals are now completely gone from the band's music, and lead vocalist Wacian solely performs his haunted clean vocals. The only exception is a short aggressive vocal part in "Affliction". As mentioned the atmosphere is bleak and the whole thing comes off as slightly abstract. Dissonant open chords, mellotron, a raw organic sound, soaring melancholic vocal melodies, and great dynamic playing. It's quite heavy at times, but not in a "metal" fashion, but more in the vein of heavy progressive rock like Anekdoten and Landberk (King Crimson could be mentioned as a reference too). At other times it's pretty mellow and beautiful (the mellotron is a great touch). Tracks like "Dialogue" and "Affliction" also features some rather dramatic sections, so all in all the music is dynamically varied.

While the material on the 9 track, 35:44 minutes long album is arguably progressive in nature, the tracks aren't especially long, and the song structures aren't overtly complex. It's still quite innovative and adventurous music though, and a surprise is always lurking around the corner. Upon conclusion it's a very interesting development of sound that Code has made on "Mut". All three preceeding releases are also high quality albums, but there's something a bit more special about this one. If you enjoy any of the above mentioned artists, "Mut" is definitely a recommendable release, and quality wise it's top notch release too, featuring high level musicianship, a well sounding organic production, and intriguing songwriting. A 4.5 star (90%) rating is deserved.

...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.

Despite the many lineup changes, the music on "Augur Nox" is unmistakably the sound of Code. The dark atmosphere and subtle use of dissonances, the raspy extreme metal vocals, the clean vocals, and the relatively adventurous progressive song structures are all present and accounted for. I think there´s been a slight change in the riffing department though and I suddenly count Enslaved among the musical references (listen to the opening riff in "Garden Chancery" for proof of that), which is an influence I didn´t hear on the two predecessors. There´s something about the drumming style that leads my thoughts in that direction too. Code is not a poor man´s Enslaved by any means though. They have by now forged their own sound and identity. The material on the album is generally very well written and sound inspired. The longer and most progressive tracks like "The Lazarus Cord" and "Harmonies in Cloud" are high quality material packed with great ideas, but that can be said about all tracks on "Augur Nox" (long or short).

While Kvohst is probably one of the most prolific and unique vocalists in extreme metal and therefore always would be difficult to replace, new lead vocalist Wacian actually gives Kvohst a run for his money. Wacian´s clean vocals might not be as unique sounding as Kvohst´s ditto, but they suit the music on "Augur Nox" well and he is both a skilled and passionate vocalist. His raspy black metal styled vocals are fully on par with his predecessor´s and the change on the vocalist spot has actually happened more seamlessly than I had imagined it would.

The sound production is professional, powerful, and clear. The band obviously aim at creating a dark atmosphere, but not at the expence of a professional sound production. "Augur Nox" is a high quality release and a great continuation of Code´s career, which wasn´t necessarily in the cards, when you take into consideration the profiles who have left since the predecessor and a 4 star (80%) rating is well deserved.

What we have here is a band based both in England and Norway. It is a sort avant-black metal supergroup, with people from Dodheimsgard, Ved Buens Ende, and with such former members such as the singer in Arcturus. But to be honest, he's not really missed. Because Kvohst is here! Kvohst, British Black Metal singer, who was in Dodheimsgard for starters in their fantastic album "Supervillain Outcast"- really truly blows this out of the water. And I mean really. He displays here a fantastic range, a range I didn't hear from him before- and really does make the album for me. That is, not to say the music in itself isn't good- but with Kvohst the music truly meshes into something quite incredible in this album- some of the most memorable, beautiful, and simply catchy melodies that this album dishes out. It is Kvohst that serves it so nicely that I can't imagine the album without him.

So what do we have here? This is music firmly planted in the black metal school, and while I won't say that this album is insanely eclectic, it offers at times extremely powerful riffs and at other times some really interesting chord progressions and songwriting. But again, it's truly Kvohst's vocals that bring it all together. He will usually will go through banshee vocals to growling and finally to this croon, which bizarrely enough can at times remind of Morrisey. This does bring a very different element, a more melodic, though at the same times still very distilling. Kvohst usually also adds vocal harmonies to the recording and the sound is so full and well done that it can get quite beautiful. I feel as if the first song "Smother the Crones" is really a song that shows off the bands sound the best. A huge blasting beginning, impressive banshee vocals, and lastly, an absolutely epic chorus which wins me over with Kvohst's vocals.

With that, may I add that Vicotnik's bass is just superb. Usually he displays these fluid melodic bass lines that are a joy by themselves. But seriously the musicianship here is fantastic all around.

I find I want to keep this one short. Absolute must if you're a fan of the avant-black metal scene, but also perhaps worth checking out even if you're not, as the powerful melodies may win you over.

The band features among others the prolific black metal musicians Kvohst (Mathew McNerney) on vocals (who has also been involved with Void and Dødheimsgard) and Viper (Yusaf "Vicotnik" Parvez) on bass and backing vocals, who is known for his involvement in Ved Buens Ende and Dødheimsgard. As far as I understand Code is predominantly guitarist Aort´s (Andy McIvor) baby though.

There are 8 tracks featured on the 53:54 minutes long album. The material is aggressive yet with a sense for melody and memorability which is mostly due to Kvohst´s diverse vocal delivery. His clean singing is intense and emotional in a dark and slightly monotone fashion while his raspy delivery sounds caustic and aggressive. There are some faster paced sections on the album but the tempo is mostly kept in mid-pace. This is certainly not your ultra fast blast beating kind of black metal album. Those who enjoy some of the above mentioned acts and their more twisted and experimental take on the black metal genre will probably find lots to like here. Maybe some will find it disrespectful if I say this but Code sounds a bit like Dødheimsgard "lite" to me (The "Supervillain Outcast (2007)" album. Without the samples though).

I would like to give a special mention to Viper´s bass playing on the album, because it´s something of a rarety that you can actually hear the bass in black metal. In this case it´s even very prominent and it´s greatly enjoyable to listen to some of Viper´s killer basslines. We´re not dealing with overtly technical playing but rather some melodic and clever basslines that enhance the listening experience. The music on the album isn´t overtly experimental and you´ll find many pretty straight forward parts. There´s a will to create original music and experiment with conventions here that I find admirable though. Another great feature on the album is Kvohst´s lyrics. As always they are quite bizarre and dark and they suit the music very well. If I have to make one complaint it´s probably that the tracks are at times a bit too lengthy for their own good, but it´s a minor complaint.

The sound production is professional, raw, and powerful, and it generally suits the music well. So upon conclusion Nouveau Gloaming is a good quality album by Code and while my rating isn´t a full 4 star (80%) rating but rather a 3.5 star (70%) rating, the album is quite the enjoyable audio journey and it´s definitely recommendable to fans of artists like Dødheimsgard, Void, Ved Buens Ende and Virus.