Is this an all star line up or what? I could begin by saying that all star bands are not always that successful, but since I had the chance, or may I say pleasure, to listen to this band's previous effort, I can say that CODE is a more-than-decent superstar squad. Well, if you don't know them, some of the names in the line up may not ring a bell, but what if...

...I tell you that Viper for instance is a highly acclaimed musician we all know as Vicotnik! Kvohst (Mat McNerney) has also been a member of DODHEIMSGARD in the past, doing vocals, and last but not least Aort is a member of BLUTVIAL and DECREPIT SPECTRE. Sounds cool, huh? And you haven't listened to their music yet!

Debuting in 2005 with Nouveau Gloaming (Spikefarm Records), the band signed a contract with Norwegian Tabu Recordings for the release of their sophomore album. Their weird Black Metal sound (some like to call it Avant Garde Black Metal) has - inevitably - drawn influences from DODHEIMSGARD, VED BUENS ENDE and ARCTURUS, which are the pioneers of this genre. The great thing about Resplendent Grotesque is that it magnificently keeps the balance between Black Metal's rawness, the Avant Garde/Prog complexity and the melodies that are hidden behind every chaotic moment. Except for the work that has been done on the music, one more thing that really helps the band and is obviously one of its most destructive weapons is the combination of the bands two singers. The grim, harsh screams are accompanied by the clean trippy singing (almost chanting in fact).

I am damn sure that this release goes straight to the top 10 for 2009, and I'd doubt that there will be a Black Metal release this year that will top this album, even though we are not talking about typical Black Metal here. Two glorious albums for CODE, and if they keep up like this they will definitely become the VED BUENS ENDE or ARCTURUS of the new generation, even though this saying may sound kind of sacrilegious.