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This is apparently a reissue for the sake of a reissue and not a remaster (there was no press release) and no bonus tracks (good), though there seems to be some nice packaging this time around courtesy of Metal Blade Records. So, if you've missed it the first time around or just like owning multiple versions, this is for you.

Every time I hear Anaal Nathrakh I have to remind myself that it's only two guys making all that noise. The Codex Necro is actually a little more orderly and even more melodic than the other albums I've heard by the band (as of this writing, I have yet to go through their entire discography). That's not to say it's not the insanely fast and chaotic, cacophonic black metal you expect from the band, but you'll often hear slightly more melodic passages popping up here and there, sometimes quite subtly. That makes the whole thing pretty interesting and calls for multiple attentive listens to dissect everything that's going on—and there is a lot going on here. Good stuff when you're in the mood for chaos.

Additional Information

- 2021 reissue on Metal Blade Records reviewed.