Code 666 - Religion Syndrome Deceased

Funeris Nocturnum is one of those bands that hatch few releases in a short period of time and then disappear like they never existed. If we look back in time, you will find out that their first demo was released in the late 90’s, during that period Finland had big names in the black metal scene, such as Impaled Nazarene, and Beherit. However, I can say with enough guts that Funeris Nocturnum possesses the same qualities and potential. This band’s black metal music has always been different and original in its nature since the first demo, and the other albums that followed. Their third album wasn’t an exception, the last effort of these guys is grim, hateful and very melodic.The production here is pretty good. You can hear the instruments clearly, the sound is clean enough to offer a good listening experience. This album was released by woodcuts records, a Finnish label thoroughly dedicated to extreme music.

The musicianship here is balanced, all the instruments perform well enough to produce ggod music.The Vocals here are harsh, grim, and powerful. You will certainly feel the hatred in Mikko’s voice whilst he blasts it on your ears. He also adds some perfect growls occasionally to vary his style avoiding any possible redundancy in the sound. The guitars are fast and melodic, with some memorable riffs and great solos almost in every song. Antigod Declaration, will hook you up regarding the guitars' performance. There is also this nice solo in the vein of 80's heavy metal in the song Hypernation Mantic, and another fast one in Cryonics. All this is supported by exciting keyboard effects, that make this just a real gem. Those solos I’m talking about are most of the time spoon fed by some great synth effects, that will make your feelings tangle up. Moreover, they add a dark atmosphere around and create a variation in the sound . There are some good head-banging songs like Yer all perished and Cryonics. The drums are also one my favorite parts in this masterpiece. They are mainly fast, extremely fast throughout the whole album, as the blast beats will tear your ears. There are these interesting drums patterns that started off the track Reformation. The bass is there to solidify and confirm the brutal sound.

Lyrically this is very misanthropic and anti-religion in nature. As I said earlier, the tone of the lead singer is full of anger and hate. These lyrics are blasphemous, satanic and evil. The song Reformation portrays this feeling where he screams in your face “Fuck them all” in a way full of anguish and avenge.

To conclude, Code 666 - Religion Syndrome Deceased is one strong piece of blasphemous black metal. Not recommended for weak heart, it can shock you. This can be strictly forbidden, not suitable for minors, +18 to view, well I mean, to listen. Joking aside, I recommend this for the fans of black metal and extreme music. If you can find a copy somewhere don't hesitate to get hold of it.

Standouts: Cryonics , Yer All Perished , Antigod Declaration.

Written for Encyclopaedia Metallum 14-03-2010
© Kimiwind

Funeris Nocturnum started in 1998 with fast and brutal Black Metal, their first album – Pure Satanic Blasphemy – contained brutal and speedy BM in vein of Marduk and Dark Funeral. One year later the second album appears which according to the promo sheet was “more progressive and technical” and I have to believe them, because I never had the chance to listen to it.

Code 666 is not a tribute album to the Italian label with the same name, it’s just the 3rd release of these Finnish extreme metallers. The music in principle is fast, and even if the keyboard drops in a few notes time to time, this release most of the time remains an aggressive one, where the assailant guitars and the fast drums make the law.

It’s not 100% Black Metal, many thrash metal influences are traceable, both in riffs and solos. On the other hand there are many classic heavy metal influences, which make this record more musical and melodic than it would be needed. Long and complicated solos, but it’s just the standard metal stuff without too much sense in extreme metal. They have some nice thrashy riffs and the high-speed drums are also very good performed, but I don’t know what to do with this album.

Sometimes extreme and close to industrial BM, other times too melodic, without too much integrity in my opinion. The cover says that there should be 9 songs on the disc, but actually there are 22 tracks. 9 real songs, 10 tracks consisted of silence and one pointless electro bullshit with raw vocals on it.

Funeris Nocturnum was a band I had never heard of before, and according to a few of the reviews I found on the 'net, they seemed to be a pretty good band. So I got their latest album, "Code 666 - Religion Syndrome Deceased". Luckily, they don't sound like most of the other black metal bands that have been popping out of nowhere recently, and their riff work shows talent.

A good thing about this album is the keyboards. FN has managed to put a good amount of keyboards into each song without overusing them at all, unlike a band like say Dimmu Borgir. They also manage to create some pretty unique keyboard soundscapes, like near the end of Vulpine Paralogism. The riff work is also pretty unique, seing as not all the riffs are tremolo-picked or so, some of them even sound like death/thrash.

The bad part is its length. 34 minutes is just not enough. They could've easily made a few songs longer and it would've reacher 41 minutes in length easily. Most of the songs aren't too long or too short, but sometimes 3 minutes isn't enough and it doesn't satisfy me. Also, the vocals were the same from start to end. Some variability in the vocals would've helped a bit.

Not a bad album overall, in fact I appreciate it a lot. If these guys work on their few flaws their chances of becoming the next BM band are quite big.