Review done by Bonno

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Codex Mortis. A 2017 born extreme metal band from The Netherlands that hasn’t brought out a release yet. Seems kind of odd but in the case of Codex Mortis it has been precise execution of their style of extreme metal music. The whole band has been made out of very experienced members like members of Funeral Whore/Bloodphemy/Bodyfarm and Wrang. There is a lot of great potential in that for sure. Codex Mortis describe themselves as an explosive and hypnotic skull crushing extreme metal band which does elevate my expectations a lot. Drawing influence from the ‘90’s, Codex Mortis delivers intense and fast abysmal arrangements with a devouring sound. I sure like the sound of that.

 

What I also like the sound of is the absolute crushing production that this piece of modern day blackened death metal has got. Codex Mortis does take a lot from different sub-genres of death metal and black metal. Having the label extreme metal seems very fitting. You don’t hear that label enough lately however it fits Codex Mortis perfectly. From lightning fast drumwork to melodic riffs, ‘What Befalls Of Tainted Souls’ has got it all. Let's be clear, the main genre of this record is without a doubt black metal. The vocals that are being presented, do remind me a lot of the ferocious vocals of Seregor from Carach Angren. 

 

The overall production is such a delight to listen to. Every single instrument present on ‘What Befalls Of Tainted Souls’ is loud and clear. A lot of new bands have trouble finding ‘their’ sound but Codex Mortis is filled with musical experience and that is why they don’t have any trouble with finding their sound. The album is filled with memorable melodic elements that could be from a mid ‘90’s black/death metal album from the Scandinavia region. 

 

It is cool to hear such a professional sound coming from The Netherlands. It is about time that the Dutch are coming back in the bigger death/black metal scene. I believe Codex Mortis could be one of the few that have the potential to become very big in the (European) metal scene. It is rare to hear such a banger of a debut and if I would have to give it a 0-10 rating it would be an 8.5 for damn sure. Go and check out ‘What Befalls Of Tainted Souls’ when it comes out because it is more than worth your time!

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Buy it here: Vidar