#7 - Top of 2019

 Atlantean Kodex -The Course of the Empire (Ván Records)

Atlantean Kodex know the secret of Epic Heavy metal and their 3rd full length album adds an EPIC touch to the top and 2019 overall. Their first 2010 release, The Golden Bough, previously seen in the Best of Epic Metal Top, showed that they have the potential for great things from the beginning! The Course of the Empire shines from the amazing intro "The Alpha and the Occident" which transitions into the awesome 9-minute journey that is "People of the Moon", the album is packed with HEAVY guitar riffs, great drumming and interesting clear vocals with a touch of roughness that is exactly what is needed for this epic ride through history! There are different changes across the record between symphonic heaviness (like in "Chariots") and doom gloominess (which can be heard in "A Secret Byzantium") without losing in epicness with some tracks bringing memories of Bathory. When even the shorter transition tracks like the slow-paced "The Innermost Light" and the eerie "Spell of the Western Sea" are that EPIC it is hard to choose a highlight from the album, though the melodic "He Who Walks Behind the Years" with its melancholic vibe would be a worthy candidate. Finally, the massive "The Course of Empire" perfectly compliments the epic intro with its amazing mid-song changes with the 6minute mark being made for sing-alongs! This a solid 1-hour release in the age of barely 40minute heavy metal albums which does not drag out but instead each track adds something different making this worthy of the 6 year wait!

 

95.6/100

Below is the official video for the song "People Of The Moon (Dawn Of Creation)".