Code Orange are back with their new album What Really Is Underneath? The band formed in 2008 and when the album Forever was released in 2017 to an unsuspecting metal community, they exploded into view. The album Forever was brutal, and angry but with hints of grunge and melody, the album was like a bolt of electricity to the alternative scene and was lauded by critics everywhere. This was followed up by the album Underneath in 2020, which was more ferocious, heavier and permeated with electronic rage throughout. It was a tremendous follow-up that showed Code Orange were no mere flash in the pan.
So how did Code Orange follow up the knockout combination of the previous two albums? Well, by doing exactly what they wanted. What Really is Underneath? is not the album you were expecting. It is essentially a companion piece to Underneath, the electronic rage that I mentioned earlier is not merely being explored further but pushed to be the whole being of the album, allowing it to become all-encompassing. To call it a remix album is a tremendous disservice to what is on offer. It reminds me of Remanufacture by Fear Factory or Further Down the Spiral by Nine Inch Nails, where yes you could call the songs remixes; However, they sound so far removed from their origins (apart from the vocal melodies) that the release as a whole stands on its own merits.
This album that I can envision disappointing some fans of the band. There has been a 3-year gap since Underneath and it is understandable that fans would be frothing at the mouth for more of the same. It could be perceived as subversion, but this would be wholly wrong. What you have instead is a band showcasing their love for industrial music. Many moments recall the sound of Nine Inch Nails, early Ministry, Throbbing Gristle and other genre legends. Therefore taking the songs from Underneath, feeding them through a meat grinder and with what comes out the other side being transferred into computer code (Tron style), was actually a stroke of genius. Code Orange were able to indulge further into a side of their musical influences that does not feature at the forefront of their music – but is always lurking in the background.
At the end of the day is What Really Is Underneath? actually any good and worth your time? Absolutely! Now, it will take some fans of Code Orange a little getting used to as it is not a metal album. The band though have always stood out from the crowd because their music was forward-thinking and took unexpected twists and turns. So if you are open-minded to experience the songs of Underneath from an entirely new perspective, What Really Is Underneath? is well worth your time.
What Really Is Underneath? is out now via the label Blue Grape Music.
