LOST SIGNAL

"Lost Signal" is an EP release by UK progressive/avant rock/metal act Code. The EP was released through Agonia Records in January 2017. It's the successor to the band's fourth full-length studio album "Mut" from 2015 and features the same lineup as the album does.

"Lost Signal" doesn't contain any new original material but instead feautures 6 re-recorded and re-arranged tracks from the band's four preceding studio albums. Three tracks off "Mut (2015)" and one track from each of the other three studio albums "Nouveau Gloaming (2005)", "Resplendent Grotesque (2009)", and "Augur Nox (2013)". The tracks off "Mut (2015)" are given a slightly more raw and gritty treatment, while the three tracks from the first three albums are arranged to sound more like the dark and heavy progressive/avant rock/metal of "Mut (2015)". So the black metal influences of the past are mostly gone from the band's sound at this point, although the occasional snarling vocal phrase still stubbornly holds on to a minimal extreme metal orientation. "Lost Signal" however predominantly features clean vocals by lead vocalist Wacian.

Code manage to make the listener feel that "Lost Signal" was recorded live, that's how gritty, authentic, and organic the EP sounds. It's a perfect sound production for the material. Add to that intriguing songwriting and high level musicianship and you have another high quality release by Code on your hands. One of the great things about Code at this point of their career, is that there's stylistic development between every release, and as a listener you just know that they aren't through developing their style yet, and that you can expect more surprises in the future. A 4 star (80%) rating is deserved.