Hype can be a double-edged sword, and there is no denying the impact such a method has had on the career of Metalcore outfit Code Orange. Bizarre social media tactics and a complete rebranding helped pave the way for the success of their sophomore LP I Am King released in 2014 on Deathwish, Inc.
The band’s unwavering confidence towards I Am King led to constant touring and a complete disownment to all material released prior. All the hard work eventually came into frution with a major label signing to Roadrunner Records followed by a tour with Alternative Metal giants Deftones.
Flash forward to 2017. It is now time to truly put that hype to the test.
This is Forever.
If I were forced to equate Code Orange to a mythological beast it would most certainly be the gargantuan three-headed hound left with the task of guarding the gates of hell known as the Cerberus. The Pittsburg-based quartet boasts no frontman, but rather an evenly distributed vocal performance between guitarists Reba Meyers, Eric Balderose, and drummer Jami Morgan. Each vicious bark illustrates a vastly different yet efficient dynamic and Forever sees this concept explored even further. The beast’s power primarily stems from the relentlessly crushing songwriting aided once more by the magic touch of Kurt Ballou.
Forever begins with the hard-hitting title track revisiting the formula that allowed I Am King to earn a well-deserved spot on the turntable of bedroom moshing millennials all across the world. The Cerberus keeps its hind legs firmly planted in the sounds of early Metalcore including the likes of Disembodied, Martyr AD, and Morning Again but makes use of its front pulling forward in terms of experimenting with the unorthodox nuances presented as a mere subtlety in their former offerings.
“Forever” picks up where I Am King left off efficiently reintroducing listeners to the dynamic of their previous installment whilst showing their growth in terms of powerfully heavy songwriting.
“Kill The Creator” and “Real” paint the picture of what’s to come and begin to explore uncharted territory for the group. Balderose shows off his new toys now performing synthesizer/programming duties adding an Industrial edge reminiscent of Godflesh, Nine Inch Nails, and early Swans.
“Bleeding in the Blur” and “Ugly” bring forth their own set of catchy surprises channeling guitar-heavy ‘90s Alternative Rock that could easily be radio hits. Fans of Meyer’s fronted side project Adventures will be quite pleased seeing her vocal abilities utilized in such a similar way with an extra boost of aggression.
Forever succeeds in pushing the group forward in terms of sonic experimentation, genre-bending, diversity between songs, and expanding their vast array of influences even further, but unfortunately fails in some areas as well.
Many of the tracks specifically “Kill the Creator” and “dream2” suffer from abrupt cuts that cause nothing but confusion and hinders album’s overall flow. Such a writing tactic could be viewed as understandable if done in a more subtle fashion, but there are almost as many cuts as there are breakdowns.
This brings me to my next topic: Breakdowns.
Code Orange is undoubtedly known for their intense, terrifying live performances, and Forever unfortunately comes off entirely too strong attempting to recreate that energy in the studio. It appears as if since dropping the “Kids” from their name, the quartet’s over usage of breakdowns exist solely for a violent crowd reaction and nothing more. Many cringe-worthy “mosh calls” appear on the record most notably “THIS IS REAL NOW, MUTHAFUCKER” found on “Real.”
To answer the original question: Does Forever live up to the hype Code Orange has spent the past few years of blood, sweat, and tears building up?
The answer is yes.
Despite favoring experimentation over solidified song structure, the group’s third LP/major label debut is a fun listen and secures their spot on the throne.
Recommended Tracks: “Forever”, “The New Reality”, “Ugly”
Overall Score: (7/10)