Artist: Anaal Nathrakh Album: The Codex Necro

Year: 2001
Duration: 0:0-1

A of Anaal Nathrakh's The Codex Necro

For those who are into extreme metal and brutal sounds, Anaal Nathrakh's 2001 album, The Codex Necro, is a must-listen. With its combination of black metal, death metal, and grindcore, the album became a defining statement of the genre. In this post, we'll take a critical look at The Codex Necro, talk about the history of the band, and discuss the best songs and most innovative parts of the album. We'll also offer some critiques of the album, and ultimately decide whether it's worth your time.
Anaal Nathrakh formed in 1998 in England, with the duo of multi-instrumentalist Mick Kenney and vocalist V.I.T.R.I.O.L. (whose real name is Dave Hunt). The band's name comes from a phrase in the Enochian language used by occultist and ceremonial magician John Dee. The band's early sound was characterized by extreme aggression, but they also experimented with industrial and electronic elements. The Codex Necro was their debut album, released in 2001 on Mordgrimm Records.
The Codex Necro is often categorized as a black metal album, but it's not a straightforward example of the genre. The album features blast beats, tremolo picking, and harsh vocals, all hallmarks of black metal, but it also incorporates elements of death metal and grindcore. The result is a chaotic and intense sound that's not for the faint of heart. The album also includes some ambient interludes that add texture and atmosphere to the overall experience.
Overall, the best songs on The Codex Necro are the ones that balance the extreme aggression and chaos with memorable riffs and hooks. The Supreme Necrotic Audnance is a standout track, with its soaring chorus and pummeling drums. The Codex Necro itself is also a highlight, with its blistering pace and searing guitar leads. And Submission Is for the Weak is a memorable closer to the album, with its slower tempo and haunting melodies.
One of the most innovative parts of The Codex Necro is the use of electronic elements. The interludes Do Not Speak and The Oblivion Gene incorporate electronic beats and atmospheric sounds to create a haunting and otherworldly mood. And on Human, All Too Human, the band uses a distorted voice sample to add a nightmarish quality to the song. These elements help to make the album stand out from other extreme metal releases of its time.
That said, there are also some aspects of The Codex Necro that are open to critique. The production can sound muddy and indistinct, and some of the songs can blur together into a wall of noise. Additionally, the album's extreme sound may be too much for some listeners, even those who are fans of extreme metal. And while the use of electronic elements is innovative, they can also be jarring and disrupt the flow of the album.
All in all, Anaal Nathrakh's The Codex Necro is a landmark release for extreme metal, and a must-listen for fans of the genre. The combination of black metal, death metal, and grindcore, along with the innovative use of electronics, create a sound that's both chaotic and memorable. While there are some aspects of the album that could be improved, it remains a defining statement of the genre, and a testament to the power of extreme music.