Code - Discography [2002-2011]

Since I heard their stunning second full-length, Resplendent Grotesque in 2009, Code has been one of my favourite bands. From that album's incredible mixture of decidedly progressive black metal with pop (yes, you read correctly) influence, without ever sounding cheesy, to their demo and debut and the decidedly more depressive approach there. Although part of that will always be due to ex-vocalist (since 2010) Kvohst's outstanding vocals, the musicality is such that it rivals the classics of the black metal genre and those of their other influences in terms of sheer quality. Every song is a stunner.

N.B. I've also included Seasonal Code's Aortian Dialectus here, which is a collection of demos released under the Seasonal Code moniker and a few unreleased tracks from the Resplendent Grotesque sessions.

If I haven't given you enough enticement to now go and get the lot, you are hopeless.

Neurotransmissions: Amplified Thought Chemistry demo [2002]
Nouveau Gloaming [2005]
Resplendent Grotesque [2009]
Seasonal Code - Aortian Dialectus [2011]

Shining - VII: Född Förlorare [2011]

Shining purportedly play depressive black metal, but I think that that's as much to do with frontman, and indeed mainman, Kvarforth's antics than their actual musical approach. In addition to featuring on other classic albums like Bethlehem's S.U.I.Z.I.D., Kvarforth has built a strong legacy through this band (recently he suspended his activities with all other bands), the closest similar artists to which which springs to mind being Lifelover (sorry for the awkward grammar). He plays fairly clean-sounding black metal with a defined poppy approach, stopping a fair way short of the likes of Ved Buens Ende in progression and eclectia, but still being far from the BM hordes. This has naturally attained him lots of fans and lots of haters, but I find this album, although just outside my top 50 of 2011, to be a very satisfying listen.

~260 kbps VBR

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Lifelover - Konkurs [2008]

The best Lifelover album. Although Erotik is better-received, this has better songs. And when you're listening to this sort of combination of black metal and depressive rock, songs keep the album from descending into monotony (like this year's Sjukdom, which had good ideas, but none which were good enough or extended enough to make any individual song interesting). In particular, listen to 'Mental Central Dialog' and 'Cancertid'.

320 kbps

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Lifelover - Erotik [2007]

It seems that in this day and age every man and his dog has formed a very strong opinion on Lifelover - apart from me. I think they're good, but nothing incredible. The reason why I'm posting them then? A recent bereavement amongst their ranks is one reason - but also to allow some more of my readership to form an opinion on them. This isn't my favourite album of theirs, but it's probably their most critically acclaimed. Essentially, their sound has elements of (depressive) black metal mixed with the hooks of rock - particularly the likes of The Cure. Not much more needs saying - it's an enjoyable album, but not one you're likely to want to listen to often.

~230 kbps VBR

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Life Is Pain - Bloody Melancholy demo [2006]

This is depressive black metal at its finest. Sure, it's the sort of thing which is tr00-kvlter-than-tr00-kvlt, being a two-man act's only demo ever, but upon studying the members' other bands, things make a little more sense - Lifelover (bears little resemblance), Hypothermia (pretty similar), Deep-Pression (similar), and Trist (again, similar). This trumps the lot though - its relatively short length stops it from becoming nauseatingly repetitive, a plague which haunts many DSBM bands.

N.B. I think there is an odd sample halfway through the second track - whether this is supposed to be there or not I'm unsure, but it certainly sounds well out of place.

128 kbps

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Abyssic Hate - Suicidal Emotions [2000]

From the artwork to the music contained therein, this is essentially the genesis of the DSBM (depressive suicidal black metal) genre. Although it's not my favourite genre, I can easily appreciate the beauty (it's even uplifting at times) of this.

192 kbps

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Silencer - Death: Pierce Me [2001]

Another one of the excellent albums that are so few and far between in the shit-filled DSBM movement - the vocals in this are mental, and tormented (the vocalist was later institutionalized), and the instrumental work is, well, instrumental.

320 kbps

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LIK - Må Ljuset Aldrig Nå Oss Mer [2003]

LIK (Lekamen Illusionen Kallet) are an interesting proposition - blending black metal with elements of depressive rock and folk music (although the folk element is very slight), they broke up a while back after making this album, but reformed in 2010 and released another album earlier this year. This is the closest of their albums to pure black metal.

320 kbps

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Mütiilation - Hail Satanas We Are The Black Legions EP [1994]

One of the infamous Les Legiones Noires, Mütiilation created some spectacular black metal art over the years. This debut EP of theirs (although I think the files label it as a demo) is some of their most riff-based work; 'Desecrate Jesus Name' is spectacular.

192 kbps

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Code - Nouveau Gloaming [2005]

This is Code's debut album, and bloody hell, it's good. It features different versions of a few tracks from the demo, and a few new songs ('Cotton Optic' is a standout'). I love this album, and nearly every metal fan I've played it to has too. Get it.

320 kbps

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Code - Neurotransmissions: Amplified Thought Chemistry demo [2002]

Code are one of my favourite bands, and this, their debut demo, is a sign of things to come. Coming for from the DSBM end of the spectrum than the experimental edge of their later releases, this is a great demo and a release which I treasure highly.

256 kbps

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Abyssic Hate - Eternal Damnation EP [1998]

Although they would pioneer the depressive suicidal black metal sound (DSBM) on their full-length debut, this is more standard black metal fare, although it never strays into the dreaded 'derivative' land. The last track is an interesting Absurd cover.

192 kbps

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Mütiilation - Vampires Of Black Imperial Blood [1995]

Following on from the excellent 'Hail Satanas We Are The Black Legions' EP, this release from the most famous of Les Legiones Noires is notable for using heavy depressive elements long before the style was made commonplace by Abyssic Hate, and for being one of the earliest great French black metal albums.

160 kbps

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