the lords of the rings metal: Atlantean Kodex (Germany)

Atlantean Kodex (Germany): “The White Goddess” (20 Buck Spin)

How much do you enjoy concept albums of traditional, melodic heavy metal? Do you like albums with spoken samples, interludes and long songs? (4 songs over 10 minutes; 1 song over 8 minutes; plus intros, instrumentals; it all amounts to about an hour). Atlantean Kodex plays exclusively midtempo (no fast, galloping) songs of enormously melodic traditional heavy metal.

Does Atlantean Kodex appear pretentious, pompous and self-important? Oh, do they ever!

This is not “street” metal. This is heavy metal for movies like “Lord of the Rings.” Atlantean Kodex is the kind of band that talks about kings, queens, gods, armies, fire, so on and so forth. Sweet guitar melodies, show-off solos and a singer that seeks to be the next Ronnie James Dio or Rob Halford or Michael Kiske. Lots of vocal layering, with choruses like a church of knights chanting the songs of battles and dragons.

You like pompous? You have got to hear Atlantean Kodex. There are some people writing long reviews praising everything about the album and calling it the best album of 2013. Maybe you agree. Not trying to rain on people’s parade, but it is strange how this band keeps all the songs at that mid tempo. If you like Bathory’s “Hammerheart” and “Twilight of the Gods” albums, then you know what to expect. Of course, if you dislike those Bathory albums because you think they are just too boring, then you also know what to expect.

Also, not to keep pouring cold water on this, but the drum sound is substandard. It sounds like the drummer is hitting on pillows, and not drums. I have listened to this album at a very loud volume with headphones on, and the drum sound is problematic. What happened to the drums here?

www.atlanteankodex.de