Review: Primal Code ‘Opaque Fixation’

The debut record from ferocious Chicago-ans Primal Code, Opaque Fixation, is marked as no-frills death metal, which is always a good start for someone looking for such a thing. It’s out now via Relapse Records and features former members of sadly departed sludge doom monsters Indian, which should be regarded as somewhat of a good omen for the level of brutality we can expect!

The monstrous first track proper, Anapsid, is an absolute bulldozer giving you touches of Bolt Thrower via a rather filthy Swedish influence and some murky atmospheric touches that add something a bit sinister and relentless to it. Primal Code, however, know how to make sure each track has a multitude of moments that keep your attention firmly placed on it, from the doomy rumble of Angler to the double kicks barrage and churning power of Derelict.

An album that relies on a deceptively simple premise of big, chunky powerful riffs, and a mid-paced assault on your ears that never lets up. The guitar tone is rich and dense as well, never allowing even a little ray of light through in tracks like Hive or Extinction, punishing barrages of Asphyx-esque brutality that leave you no room to breathe.

crusty death metal given a coat of sludge and kicked screaming and roaring into the world…

There are times in modern death metal where the prevalence of recycled old school Bolt Thrower riffs gets a bit tedious, but if it is done well then it can be immensely satisfying. Primal Code know just how to execute this to maximum effect, and that coupled with a real sludgy murk and the odd, almost d-beat, gallop really helps Opaque Fixation stand the test of time for me.

In a year where we have been flooded/blessed with a deluge of stunning death metal records, there were always going to be some that slipped by the wayside. I hadn’t heard much buzz about Opaque Fixation before now, but that needs to change as soon as possible because Primal Code have got the whole package here; raging, sometimes crusty death metal given a coat of sludge and kicked screaming and roaring into the world.

Opaque Fixation is an album that may fly under your radar, but you shouldn’t let it, because you’re going to be thoroughly entertained by its lack of frills and its dedication to the cause of the riff.

Label: Relapse Records
Band Links: Bandcamp | Spotify | Instagram

Scribed by: Sandy Williamson