:: Atlantean Kodex - The Golden Bough

Atlantean Kodex

Through word of mouth and a release of a demo EP and a live album, German based heavy/doom metal outfit Atlantean Kodex have managed to make quite a name for themselves within the underground metal scene. So after years of high acclaim, it’s not all that surprising to see the five piece act finding themselves a label willing to take the band to the next level. That label happens to be Cruz Del Sur Music, and their debut effort for the label is their first full-length effort ‘The Golden Bough’.

Taking their traditional doom influences and fusing it with traditional power metal influences has given Atlantean Kodex quite a unique sound, even if it doesn’t sound quite like the perfect mix on paper. But despite reservations, ‘The Golden Bough’ is one impressive debut effort, and one that will no doubt put the group well and truly on the map. Atlantean Kodex have never been ones to limit themselves, and the opening track ‘Fountain Of Nepenthe’ is definitely evidence of this. Running for just beyond the ten minute mark, the song is well and truly rooted within the doom metal sound with its slower pacing and crushing guitar tones, but still lively enough on the vocal front to reveal enough power metal influences to keep the sound within the band separated from most. Vocalist Becker certainly has a powerful and likeable voice, and proves he’s more than capable of carrying the material the band offer up with ease. But outside of Becker, the dual guitarists show that they’re well versed in both the doom and power metal templates, and effectively pull off both with considerable ease. Following on from the opener in equally impressive fashion is the eleven and a half minute epic ‘Pilgrim’, which is another track full of soaring melodies wrapped in enough twists and turns to keep the mammoth effort interesting throughout, while the shorter ‘Temple Of Katholic Magick’ more than matches in terms of quality.

Although good, the speed within ‘Disciples Of The Iron Crown’ doesn’t quite work to the band’s advantage, with Becker in particular struggling to keep up with the tempos dished up by the rest of the band. But thankfully, Atlantean Kodex manage to get back on track with the semi-acoustic ‘Vesperal Hymn’, ‘The Atlantean Kodex’ and ‘A Prophet In The Forest’. Despite a less than perfect production and a tendency to run a little on the long side of things, ‘The Golden Bough’ is quite an impressive listen, and a credit to Atlantean Kodex in every conceivable way. In short, this is one highly recommended release.