EP REVIEW: Jack Of All Spades – Code Noir

It’s been a testing time for Greek/Swedish duo CODE NOIR, but they’re finally coming out of the woods. After a fruitless search to replace their guitarist and drummer, the pair of Michael T and Adam Chapman have decided to venture on together without new recruits and sophomore EP Jack Of All Spades, released via Leviaphonic Records, is the first page in this chapter.

Given the shift in personnel, you can forgive CODE NOIR for playing it a little safer than they would have probably liked on this release, but the talent is evident from the off and it certainly seems that two heads are just as good as four, if not better. Opening track The Devil Within is a solid, classic metal stomper that evokes feelings of SABBATH and PRIEST, however the sloppy timing of the drums clip its wings, particularly in the chorus. Supersonic, on the other hand, absolutely soars, a thunderous blend of AVENGED SEVENFOLD and TRIVIUM with a twin-guitar chorus straight out of the NWOBHM scrapbook. It’s magnificence actually harms middle track Words Never Said in that there was no way it was getting close to the same quality, but the duelling solo and vocal overlays in the final chorus have enough impact to avoid the quality dropping off a cliff.

As the EP moves into its latter stages, so does the pace – Monarch starts off much slower and includes piano and keyboards, a welcome shift to avoid the record being too one-dimensional. Sure, it still riffs hard in places but it proves CODE NOIR are not a one-trick pony; unfortunately, as with The Devil Within, the drums are noticeably off again in places. Closing number Crucify Their Way resumes the chug and brutish force of the earlier tracks, combining the arena-sized groove of METALLICA with the darker undertones of SLAYER to close off Jack Of All Spades and leave the listener suitably content.

Easy on the ear and straightforward enough to digest, Jack Of All Spades is a well-structured EP that signifies CODE NOIR are more than capable of pushing on despite their previous departures. It’s a little rough around the edges, especially with the drums, and it doesn’t stray too far from a tried and tested formula, but right now that doesn’t matter. If CODE NOIR can use this as a foundation and build on it in the future, there’s no guessing where they might end up.

Rating: 6/10

Jack Of All Spades is out now via Leviaphonic Records.

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