CoC : Anaal Nathrakh - The Codex Necro : Review

Anaal Nathrakh - _The Codex Necro_
(Mordgrimm, 2001)
by: Pedro Azevedo (9 out of 10)

I almost feel like -thanking- Anaal Nathrakh for not having forgotten to re-record demo track "The Supreme Necrotic Audnance" with _The Codex Necro_'s superior, powerful and abrasive production -- it has to be one of the best album openers I've heard in a very long time. A brief build-up, and then the mayhem is unleashed -- quite literally, since Anaal Nathrakh have both been likened to Mayhem and complimented by the Norwegian legends. Devastating black metal blastbeats, remarkably infectious riffs, crushing slower sections and the occasional dark atmosphere-building samples all combine into one of the most outstandingly vicious, violent and enjoyable records of recent time. The brutality in Anaal Nathrakh's sound quite simply has to be heard to be believed, and then in addition to the sonic detonation there is the underlying subtlety of their music, which guarantees a final result that is at times amazing. The extremity often borders on the insane, but music itself has by no means been forgotten amidst the maelstrom of noise. Anaal Nathrakh had been threatening to fulfill their potential for a while now [CoC #43, #48], and _The Codex Necro_ is definitely something the band can be proud of. A remarkable achievement in musical aggression; I nearly shudder to think what could come next from this band if their progression continues.

[Paul Schwarz: "There was never a British band who could sonically be likened to Mayhem without it being an insult to the legendary Norwegians before Anaal Nathrakh came along: a flesh-ripping synthesis of biting, black metal blastbeats and searing industrial sprinklings. Just give "Submission Is for the Weak" three or four spins: you'll understand."]

(article published 14/1/2002)

CHATS
4/12/2002	P Azevedo	Anaal Nathrakh: The Heart of Necro
10/25/2000	P Azevedo	Anaal Nathrakh: Necro Lives

ALBUMS
8/12/2015	D Lake	8	Anaal Nathrakh - Desideratum
12/29/2012	A El Naby	7.5	Anaal Nathrakh - Vanitas
6/15/2009	J Smit	8	Anaal Nathrakh - In the Constellation of the Black Widow
10/14/2006	J Smit	8.5	Anaal Nathrakh - Eschaton
11/29/2004	P Azevedo	8	Anaal Nathrakh - Domine Non Es Dignus
5/29/2003	P Azevedo	8.5	Anaal Nathrakh - When Fire Rains Down From the Sky, Mankind Will Reap as it Has Sown
8/12/2000	P Azevedo	8	Anaal Nathrakh - Total Fucking Necro

DEMOS
10/12/1999	P Azevedo	4	Anaal Nathrakh - Anaal Nathrakh