Code Orange - Forever

Artist: Code Orange
Album: Forever
Year: 2017
Rating: 75/100



The parallels with which you can draw Code Orange's almost meteoric rise in gaining recognition within metal and hardcore circles can be drawn almost with the likes of Oathbreaker and Kvelertak. Like both of them, Code Orange gained a strong cult following before Jacob Bannon snapped them up for his Deathwish Inc record label, before moving to Roadrunner and dropping their second full length, "Forever". So how does it stack up?


Well, for a start, the way in which the production shines through the music gives the entire thing a sinister, unpleasant undercurrent, which was Code Orange's trademark on their opening album. Tracks such as "Forever", "Kill the Creator" and "Real" hit harder than a pissed off Klitschko brother and give the listener the impression that they're being attacked by a maniac wielding a lump hammer. However, when Code Orange deviate from their usual path, unlike their contemporaries in Oathbreaker and Kvelertak, they don't always hit the target. "Bleeding in the Blur" and "Ugly" see them employ clean vocals, which would sound better if the production was less sinister, dark and over the top, while "Hurt Goes On" is absolutely horrid.


As a whole, "Forever" suffers somewhat from uninteresting songwriting, and is badly let down by its genre-splicing, which is ultimately a shame. When Code Orange stick to the hardcore and metal side of things, they do a fantastic job. The breakdowns are face-meltingly heavy and the production adds to that, even if it's slightly over the top. A listenable album on the whole, despite its inconsistencies.


Track list

1. Forever
2. Kill the Creator
3. Real
4. Bleeding in the Blur
5. The Mud
6. The New Reality
7. Spy 
8. Ugly
9. No One Is Untouchable
10. Hurt Goes On
11. dream2

Asphalt Horsemen - Brotherhood

Artist: Asphalt Horsemen
Album: Brotherhood
Year: 2017
Rating: 76/100

Asphalt Horsemen are a heavy blues quartet hailing from Hungary, in much the same sort of vein as their fellow countrymen Apey & The Pea. After their self-titled debut album, which garnered a small audience but was very well received, they now offer us a second helping with "Brotherhood". So what exactly does it offer us?

Well, the minute you hit play, it's evident that what you get with Asphalt Horsemen is exactly what you hear; gritty vocals, seemingly endless guitar grooves, cowbell, although it isn't overused like some bands doing the same thing tend to do, and the occasional bit of harmonica, although again, it isn't overdone. In terms of sound, think Alabama Thunderpussy meets Clutch, and you're pretty much there, especially with the overall sound on songs like opening track "Down in the Dirt" and "Wicked Woman". 

It's fair to say that Asphalt Horsemen aren't the most original band you'll ever hear. But that's not to say that what they do isn't enjoyable. There's plenty here to sustain the interest of blues purists and fans of the likes of Clutch and Alabama Thunderpussy alike.

Track list

1. Down in the Dirt
2. Thank You
3. Wicked Woman
4. Seize the Day
5. December
6. Dr. Tease
7. Mill of Grief
8. The Sacrifice
9. My Old Town
10. Brotherhood
11. Lies
12. Connected

GIG REVIEW: Insomnium, Mama Roux's, Birmingham

Headliner: Insomnium
Date: 16th January 2017
Venue: Mama Roux's, Digbeth, Birmingham
Support: Barren Earth
Rating: 8/10



Despite not getting to the venue quite early enough to catch opening band Wolfheart, when I do arrive Mama Roux's is practically full to capacity, just as Finnish-Faroese progressive death metallers Barren Earth take to the stage. The sextet hit the crowd with their enthusiastic, if not completely original or new, progressive death metal in the vein of the earlier days of Amorphis. While they undoubtedly took a while to get going, once they did, Barren Earth have some truly majestic songs in their output, and thankfully, the crowd seem to think so as well.


Insomnium follow them, ready from the word go, and without hesitation they launch straight into their 40 minute magnum opus "Winter's Gate", based on a short story written by the band's very own bass player and vocalist, Niilo Sevänen, pausing in between parts which gives the whole thing the feeling of a melodic death metal symphony in seven movements. That Insomnium got this to work on record is one thing; but that they also managed to successfully pull it off in a live setting as well is something else entirely, and simultaneously speaks volumes about the band's musical ability and talent. Once that finishes, the band take a short pause before returning to the stage and giving us effectively a second set, digging out some of their older material such as "While We Sleep" and "Mortal Share" for the longer term fans of the band, which are rapturously received. On the whole, strong supports and Insomnium at their scintillating best makes for a thoroughly enjoyable show.