CODE ORANGE | Underneath | Album Review

Hardcore has seen a major resurgence back to prominence thanks to Code Orange. Based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and starting in 2008, Code Orange has gradually become one of the most hyped new bands in recent years for their creative and ferocious style of heavy music. It's a style that has taken metal fans and music fans off guard, and that fact has been especially true since the release of the band's previous album "Forever" in 2017. After the band received a substantial amount of critical acclaim for that record, the Code Orange kids are back in town with their fourth studio album "Underneath". Produced by Nick Raskulinecz and Will Yip, who also mixed the album, "Underneath" features a more prominent usage of industrial elements while still sticking with the band's heavy sound. It's a unique interpretation of their genre for sure. While Code Orange are classified as hardcore punk in many areas, the band is also known for having a lot of variety in their sound. Various members of the band help out on the vocal front, while soundwise they can effective go from loud and aggressive to melodic while still attaining the same amount of volume. Simply put, Code Orange do not stick with the status quo, especially in a genre that is notorious for having mediocrity. So, with the sales pitch of this focusing a lot on the industrial side of Code Orange's sound and still being a diverse offering, Code Orange will definitely impress many people with the new album.

The bookends of "Underneath" were released as singles before the official album came out, and both tracks exhibit all of the qualities that this band has. "Swallowing The Rabbit Whole" is relentless to say the least featuring various soundscapes all the while being as menacing as possible. To be honest, I'm not too crazy about this song, but it definitely isn't boring or underwhelming. This is the opening track, following a short intro track entitled "Deeper Than Before" that sounds like horror movie trailer music to be perfectly honest, and both tracks are well placed in sequence especially since both tracks could blow your speakers out if the volume is up too loud. The title track was the first released song from the album and represents the more radio-friendly side of the album. Despite this song featuring a traditional verse-chorus-verse structure, this is some pretty heavy stuff. The industrial style is in full force on this song even though it does save time for some heavy guitarwork. This was the track that interested me the most before the album came out, because the verse and chorus sections are effortlessly done and it's one of the best examples of the industrial and hardcore elements coming together on this album to create something massive. I think the first half of this song works better than the second, but overall there is nothing wrong with "Underneath" as a song and overall it works as a decent closer to this menacing 47-minute album.

Before the album concludes with its titular track, you are greeted to various different styles that the album does a great job at shlowcasing. There are ridiculously intense tracks like "In Fear" and "Cold Metal Place", and there are plenty of melodic songs like "A Sliver", "Autumn And Carbine", and "Who I Am", all of which aren't afraid to get heavy at various points. Where "Underneath" works the best is when it meets in the middle with its styles. Sure, there are a couple of heavier cuts that work well like the aforementioned "Cold Metal Place", but I find myself coming to tracks like "Sulfur Surrounding" and "A Sliver" more on this album as they're really the meat of this album. "Sulfur Surrounding" and "Autumn And Carbine" have melodies that you'll remember immediately after listening to them and both of these have a good balance between the three vocalists that works. "Who I Am" feels like it came out of the nu-metal era of the early 2000's and it definitely has a good rhythm. Probably my favorite song on the album is "A Sliver". This track features all of this band's best qualities in one, while each element is blended and served with care and Reba Meyer's vocals work well throughout the entire song. Code Orange are well known for their abrasive music, but it's moments like these on the album that really add to the diversity and makes it an enjoyable experience.

Admittedly though, it does feel like there is too much to take in at times. This is most prevalent in the heavier tracks on this album, especially on tracks like "Erasure Scan" and "Last Ones Left". There's simply a lot of noise to focus on when it comes to the heavier side of the album, and sometimes the audio can feel a bit unlevel. Like they're intentionally trying to make things louder in an attempt to accentuate that they're super aggressive. This is an idea that works on some tracks, but not really on others, but overallit doesn't make this album difficult to listen to. Sonically, there is a lot to offer, and if you think that songs like "You And You Alone" are a bit overwhelming, there is still something that you'll probably gravitate towards on this album. Hardcore is a very tough sell in today's market, especially since a lot of hardcore bands and even metalcore bands have albums that blend in together and don't do enough to diversify. Bands like Code Orange are why this genre of music should get more appreciation. Overall, Code Orange has lived up to the success of their previous studio album by following up with another heavy and relentless project that will keep fans satisfied. It is only  slightly easier to digest than previous efforts, but the music on this album still aims for the throat and refuses to let go. The highlights on this album prove that there is more underneath the surface than what you might believe.

RATING: 8/10

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