codeia - to be elevated beyond the crumbling skies (Album Review)

Release Date: July 31st 2021. Record Label: Narshardaa Records. Format: DD/Vinyl

to be elevated beyond the crumbling skies - Tracklisting

1.mercury feathers 28:27

2.DIGITAL ONLY BONUS TRACK: shrouded in feathers (mercury feathers reconstructed by auvikogue) 29:23

Members

Denis S. (Bass, Vocals)

Timo L. (Drums)

Markus L. (Guitars)

Review

“to be elevated beyond the crumbling skies” is the new release from German Cinematic Post-Rockers/Post-Metallers codeia and this record sees the band branch out from their earlier releases with mature themes and heavier vocal imagery. With their earlier releases, codeia remained firmly on the Post-Rock landscape to build their Ambient based Doom/Sludge progressive sounds but this sees the band come kicking and screaming into the Sludge/Post-Metal arena. With a Neurosis/ISIS/Cult Of Luna approach being the main style of play for the album.

There’s only one epic almost 29 minute song (mercury feathers) and codeia are experimental throughout with the different guises and styles held on the record. Haunting and equally demanding with a dark groove that journeys throughout almost every part of the “Post-Whatever” style of heavy music. The ambient textures and clean vocals bring a Justin Broadrick or Godflesh attitude to the mix.

The second song shrouded in feathers is a digital bonus only song and remixed, sorry I mean reconstructed by auvikogue. It’s a totally different take from the original song. This version is more Drone, Psych, Ambient and Industrial based. There are no heavy grooves at all. This song really has been deconstructed down to the bare elements of codeia’s sound with auvikogue giving an almost upbeat makeover to the darker original. 

“to be elevated beyond the crumbling skies” is a bold, daring and superbly put together release with codeia establishing themselves as one the best upcoming Experimental Post-Metal bands around. 

Words by Steve Howe

“to be elevated beyond the crumbling skies” is available to buy on DD/Vinyl via Narshardaa Records now.

Links:

Official | Facebook | BandCamp 

codeia - as he turned back towards the eye of the storm (Album Review)

Release date: April 13th 2019. Label: Hand Of Doom Records. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

as he turned back towards the eye of the storm – Tracklisting

1.canon of echoes 20:05

2.emerald deception 10:35

3.mantra 05:13

4.medallion 15:51

Members

Denis S. (Bass, Vocals)

Timo L. (Drums)

Markus L. (Guitars)

Review

“as he turned back towards the eye of the storm” is the new album from Post-Metallers – codeia and it’s a haunting and progressive style of Ambient Doom, Post-Rock and Post-Metal. Taking influence from Cult Of Luna, Russian Circles and Pelican in places. This album is a constantly heavy and challenging album to listen to at times.

codeia write and perform sprawling cinematic riffs where the loud and quiet moments fit superbly well. The harsh vocals from Denis add real menace to the bands overall sound especially on the epic opening song – Canon Of Echoes. The song is a very cold and depressing experience in places and the more better for it. It does take time for the song to fully get going. However this allows codeia time to experiment and perfect their overall sound.

The second song – Emerald Deception – starts in similar fashion to the opening song but with a more subdued approach. The slow-paced Ambient Doom style sounds offers a warmer experience as the Post-Rock riffs slowly appear. When the song becomes heavier codiea become a more threatening force. However I did enjoy and appreciate the gloomy post-rock vibe playing against the heavier Sludge/Post-Metal sounds. This is perhaps my favourite song on the album.

The final two songs on the album Mantra and Medallion follow the same destructive path as the opening two songs but with a more direct and heavier sound. Medallion is the strongest song on the second half of the album with codeia becoming more confident as a result.

“as he turned back towards the eye of the storm” is a superbly produced album and one that shows codeia’s talents to perfection. If you want a complex sounding Post-Metal album that doesn’t shy away from playing heavy Sludge/Post-Metal riffs then this is the album for you.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Timon at Mountain Range PR for the promo. “as he turned back towards the eye of the storm” is available to buy now on CD/DD/Vinyl via Hand Of Doom Records.

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp

CODEIA - Video Premiere Of New Song - MEDALLION

 

There’s music for speakers, and then there’s music for headphones. While one propels you forward with sheer energy, the other embraces you with intimate moments. Codeia’s as he turned back towards the eye of the storm manages both the powerful and quieter moments and wrangles them into a full-body experience for its audience.In comparison to their first record “don’t be afraid”, she whispered and disappeared, the new one as he turned back towards the eye of the storm feels more focused and determined than its predecessor. 

Photo by Gregor Löhr

The band therefore likens their previous album to a prologue: “Our debut has introduced our characters, or influences. Now, the storyline unfolds and allows for a more complex character development.”Spherical sound patterns, hypnotic repetitions, and progressive structures set the stage for facet-like lyrics. Some things, however, shouldn’t change – the band once more has made it their mission to capture a live-feel on the album, making sure to record all guitar loops live. 

A vinyl-only bonus track of 22 minutes as well as two contributions by N (De-novali Records, Midira Records) lend additional richness to the production.

As He Turned Back Towards The Eye Of The Storm (produced by Tobias Stieler/Kokomo) is out on April 13th, 2019 (Record Store Day) via Hand Of Doom Records.

You can see the new video premiere of MEDALLION below.

Links:

Official | Facebook | BandCamp

Codeia - "don't be afraid", she whispered and disappeared (Album Review)

Release date: June 02nd 2017. Label: Backbite Records. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

"don't be afraid", she whispered and disappeared – Tracklisting

1.Lost In Translation 21:56

2.Shaping Stone 09:02

3.Facing Extinction 15:50

Band Members:

Markus; Denis; Timo

Review

Codeia have only been going as a band since 2016 and they have just released their debut album - “don't be afraid”, she whispered and disappeared. The band create a thin line between post-rock, post-metal, post-hardcore and doom based sounds. The album isn't an easy listen as Codeia aren't your typical Post-Rock/Post-Metal band. They create different sounds that could be ISIS (The Band)/Neurosis style heaviness one moment and blissful ambient post-rock sounds the next.

Opening track – Lost In Translation – is a multi-layered song with different parts and chapters to it. Codeia weave post-rock dynamics with a trance based sludge/post-metal sound with distorted vocals and bleak soundclips to match. Some parts of this song have a certain Tool-esque feel to them but I prefer when the band play the familiar styling of bands such as Isis (The Band) and Neurosis. As Post-Metal is one of my favourite genres of music and Codeia tap into that euphoric post-rock/post-metal high when the loud riffs finally come along, it's nigh on impossible not to be swept away by it all. Maybe the song could have been about 5 minutes shorter as it's an epic 22 minute journey that could be too frustrating for some. Though the band keep you entertained throughout with complex rhythms and sounds that will soon get under your skin.

Second track – Shaping Stone – is a more dynamic post-rock song with haunting vocals to match. The mood does become heavier with traditional sludge based guitars making a welcome appearance. This is perhaps the most exciting track on the album as Codeia have less time to play with this song. Though still epic at almost 10 minutes in length.

Third track – Facing Extinction – is a very cold and subtle affair with Codeia once again experimenting with their sound. Psychedelic and industrial style noises weave into the familiar Post-Rock/Post-Metal surroundings as Codeia create a challenging and complex song that I found to be very frustrating at times. Though you have to give Codeia credit for trying something different.

Overall, “don't be afraid”, she whispered and disappeared – is a challenging and beautifully played album. If you're a fan of bands such as Russian Circles, ISIS (The Band) and Neurosis then you will find much to enjoy here.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp