The band is called Atlantean Kodex. The Debut album is called 'The Golden Bough: A Study In Magic And Religion' and is a 65 minute concept album based on Sir James Frazer's 12 volume work from the late 19th, early 20th century. And guess what? It's neither Power Metal nor Prog! It's also on Cruz Del Sur which should give you a hint.
Just read the 'Listen To' list in the album credits and you'll get the gist: virtually the entire Miskatonic Foundation catalogue from Asomvel to Solstice, metal of the flavours of Manilla Road, Cirith Ungol and Brocas Helm. Isen Torr. Procession. This is classic metal with a deep vein of True doom in a truly epic setting.
As anyone who has heard this German band's remarkable Pnakotic Demos any time in the last three years would know, Atlantean Kodex are not a band short on class: They can turn their hand from great epic doom to haunting a cappella without a thought. Self contained mythic songs that tug at the emotions.
But a 65 minute esoteric odyssey through European mysticism as a 'Hello, this is the band'? Can they be serious?
Oh, yes.
The sound of AK is quite astonishing in its depth: vocalist Markus Becker has a rich set of powerful lungs and a range that suits this epic style perfectly; just the little bit of edge to it to keep it grounded. The twin guitars of Manuel Trummer and Michael Koch turn out riffs pitched somewhere around the majestic sound of Solstice circa New Dark Age and While Heaven Wept's last album, and layer on melody lines and leads that even call up the ghost of Thin Lizzy at times amongst that US classic metal sound. They can kick it up a gear, too, reaching into a broad field that might be home to Isen Tor and Manilla Road.
Ten minute opener, Fountain of Nepethe, rows in on slow oars before the chunky hard edged riff with mournful melody crenelations paves the way for the expressive and superb vocals to pull you into the mythic world. Hints of the classical, choral touch of While Heaven Wept again in vocals but a more muscular foundation.
Things don't let up with 'Pilgrim'. Once more we journey on the sea, creaking timbers and ropes whispering before a rich doom riff brings dark storm clouds that slowly sway between the harsher sounds of early Sabbath and the effortless melody of Candlemass. Delicate semi-acoustic work and subtle tempo changes lead us back, always into those foreboding riffs. They have a sound that is unmistakeably theirs already.
There is a sense of fate to the soul of AK: A true doom that approaches the protagonists with slow, relentless inevitability. Lyrics are clearly sung, though like the song structures themselves require effort to penetrate. 'Temple Of Katholic Magick' atmosphere of conquest and the galloping 'Disciples Of The Iron Crown' are as dense as 'Vesperal Hymn' more solemn, acoustic tones and metal cascades. It is like a well used sword; perfect condition but with a tale in every nick and scratch and so hard to get past for the unwary.
So is it too much? There is no denying that this is a daunting album in both concept and execution. The seventh track, 'The Atlantean Kodex' is a fine, traditional slice of heavy metal; almost NWOBHM it is all iron riffs, soaring vocals and tight harmony leads over the thunder but we are still talking seven minutes. For all the true metal and doom sound it is an album that requires effort. It is not a passive piece of music. It demands attention and stamina from the listener. It is a long journey they take you on. Both the strength and the weakness of the album is these demands that it places on you to listen to it as a whole despite each song being individually crafted. It isn't background music to wallpaper your room, nor an assortment box to be picked at. It is meant to be taken in, carefully, at one sitting.
This means that its appeal and accessibility may be questioned by some but in all honesty, as the subject is so complex and clearly so central to the heart of the band I don't think that they could have done this any other way.
Make no mistake; you will not hear a more classy, confident and gorgeous album of heavy metal this year. They deserve respect and acclaim for 'The Golden Bough' and I hope they will receive it. But be aware that just like a pilgrimage of magickal enlightenment, it is neither a short nor easy journey and not everyone will get there. Try, though. Nothing good comes without effort and this is a mesmerising debut.
http://www.myspace.com/atlanteankodex
http://www.atlanteankodex.de/
