A distant rumble comes crawling in, shaking, trembling, and exploding into the first few bass notes—an intro that boldly makes a statement: “We’re here to crush the stage and leave no prisoners.” This is how PRIMAL CODE has made its thunderous introduction to the metal world, in a burst of unyielding aggression. "Opaque Fixation" opens with all guns blazing in “Anapsid”, a potential death metal anthem. This track boasts a catchy main riff, hammered down with relentless double-bass drumming, creating palpable tension and release that makes you feel as though you’re running for your life from a feral beast.

The album as a whole feels like a carefully crafted sequence of coherent songs. The second track, “Totem”, immediately picks up where its predecessor leaves off and, in similar fashion, mercilessly hammers down the listener with an onslaught of unrelenting death metal riffing. Every transition feels purposeful, keeping the energy high and the atmosphere oppressive throughout. The Illinois trio will undoubtedly make an impact with this powerful debut release under the banner of Relapse Records. However, my feelings are of ambivalence: while it is undeniably a solid death metal record, featuring tracks that will most certainly ignite chaos in mosh pits worldwide, it lacks a unique flavor. Instead, it seems to tread familiar ground, reproducing codes we’ve witnessed in the death metal scene for more than four decades. Reminiscent of bands like SKELETAL REMAINS, who have chosen the path of reviving old-school death metal, PRIMAL CODE risks locking itself into a box with limited room for creativity or innovation.

That said, it is worth emphasizing the level of precision and mastery displayed here. Delivering death metal with this crushing intensity and technical execution is no easy feat. Full credit goes to Gene Marino (guitars and vocals), James Farn (drums), and Will Lindsay (bass) for not only transporting us back to the golden era of death metal that drew millions of fans into extreme music but also for successfully emulating the sonic qualities of their inspirations. The production is particularly noteworthy, with subtle hints of the Morrisound studio aesthetic rooting the band deeper in their death metal identity.

It would be a mistake to overlook the album’s predominant sludgy, abrasive noise. Throughout the runtime, there’s a palpable sense of dust in the air—whether evoking arid desert landscapes or the aftermath of relentless moshing. In retrospect, "Opaque Fixation" serves as a strong debut album that sets the tone and establishes PRIMAL CODE’s presence on the scene. For a first outing, there could hardly have been a more effective way to announce themselves to the world of extreme music, and their unyielding energy is sure to leave a lasting impression.