EP: Eclipses // ARTIST: Code Atlantic
Looking to the future while gazing at the past; western Sydney prog rockers Code Atlantic announce their brand of melodic alt-metal with their debut EP Eclipses.
Starting life in 2016, Blue Mountains quartet Code Atlantic came into existence as the conglomeration of musos from now-defunct Sydney bands. And rising from the ashes of their previous endeavours, the four-piece have since collectively carved up a heady fusion of melodic prog rock spiked with nostalgic alt-metal, culminating in their debut EP 'Eclipses' which explores the inevitable changes humantiy will face in the years to come.
Opening with some futuristic dissonance, intro track 'Past...' salaciously drums up anticipation before proceedings for 'Eclipses' officially kicks off with 'Fill The Void'. Jumping in with sturdy beats and blazing guitars, 'Fill The Void' erratically shifts its weight around, at times wielding standard alt-rock fare while dabbling in the occasional proggy shift. 'Illusion' follows with a total love letter to some early Karnivool and Deftones, hurling in deviating melodics amongst chunked-up riffs - and while not an entirely perfect track, there's absolutely no doubt this one would absolutely run riot in a live setting in the hands of the Code Atlantic gents.
Marking the midway point of the EP, instrumental interlude 'Present' throws down some cloudy pianos before diving into the moody and anthemic 'The Lonely'. Armed with burgeoning textures and some striking shifts, 'The Lonely' finds Code Atlantic at their most engaging, with a sizeable dosage of raw yet robust songwriting that underlies the rugged tones.
'Resistance' jumps out as the penultimate track, scratching into some gritty alt-rock waters and effectively embracing some sizable moments of bold and brash alt-metal that builds to an assured and engaging conclusion. And last but not least, whirling in with some industrial dank, closing track 'Future...' offers a parting gift that's part alien industrial-chic, part gazey nostalgia and enough distortion to tickle the fancy of Marilyn Manson himself.
There's no doubt there's a whole lotta love from the Code Atlantic lads for the days when the likes of Porcupine Tree, Alice in Chains and Deftones ruled the airwaves, with the heavier edges in particular on 'Eclipses' significantly leaping into days gone by. And despite the occasional falter, there's ultimately something decisively engaging about Code Atlantic and their debut EP - and there's no doubt this lot will continue to bolster the Aussie heavy scene as they step into their next chapter.
CODE ATLANTIC'S DEBUT EP 'ECLIPSES' IS OUT IN THE WORLD NOW. FOR MORE INFO, HEAD HERE.
BY TIANA SPETER