Arkana Code – Brutal Conflict

I seem to recall having made the statement a few years ago that the Italians truly shine when making epic-style Power Metal, back then referring to bands such as Rhapsody of Fire. Well, I am big enough of a man (barely, but still) to admit when I am wrong. In this case, I was happily corrected by a Death Metal quintet by the name of Arcana Code. A band that, on the surface at least, seems to have incredibly high standards in regards to releases (I reach this conclusion from the fact that the band has spent nearly a decade before releasing first a Demo back in 2010 and then their first full-length, Brutal Conflict, as late as last month). This is nearly always, in mt humble opinion at least, a good thing since it guarantees a high standard all throughout said release, to which Brutal Conflict is a prime example. Eleven tracks. Forty-three minutes. All-out aggression. It is a simple approach, that Arkana Code has mastered and uses to devastating effect. Mind you, the five Italians have not used their nine years as a band to re-invent the wheel – Instead, they have worked hard to improve it and give it a more personal, distinguished feel. The end result is an album that I am sure will end up being a welcome addition to any Death Metal collection, as it has become in mine. Arcana Code has all the hallmarks of a band, that I am sure will go far: Dedication, talent, a sense of perfection and, most importantly, they understand to make their own sound within their chosen genre. There is an obvious downside to this approach, however: Since it took the band nine years to release their first full-length, there is no real reason to expect another record to be released in the near future. However, that merely means (if you put on your positive glasses that is) that we have a good, long while to enjoy relentless Death Metal tracks such as ”Psychiatric Kingdom” (to which the band has been gracious enough to provide us with a music video). So, in order to sum up, Arkana Code is a new up-an-coming Death Metal band who focuses on delivering few, but very impressive releases, regardless of the amount of time it takes to deliver said releases. This seems to remind me of another, legendary, Death Metal act…

Recommended for fans of Bolt Thrower.

https://www.facebook.com/arkanacode/