Asura – Code Eternity

This is a good example of an album which desperately needs a re-release. This album is history - it was the start of Ultimae's excellent long running chill catalogue, which I pray will continue for years to come. Code Eternity, however, is very slightly out of place with the rest of the record label. It has more of a Goa sound and is more engaging to listen to compared to the lush sound of most of Ultimae's releases.

Code Eternity usually has a great synth sound going which holds the tracks together, along with a powerful beat and the old 4/4 kick. Soaring strings add atmosphere and power. This has been labelled as psychill, but I would say that it's closer to Goa trance in most parts.

Simply Blue is a fascinating track which builds tension with a small drum loop and a breathing synth which dilates until it almost becomes unbearable. A distant police sample tops off the track, making it truly wonderful. My other favourite is XP Continuum, which reminds me of battles taking place on Middle Earth. It really has that epic sound, along with the echoing drumbeat and a convincing atmosphere. Top marks for those two tracks alone and the rest of the album is also excellent.

The tracks face being a little inaccessible due to their lengths, but this truly allows for development. Vincent Villius and Charles Farewell really did something wonderful with this album - it's a great soundscape, ambient with much more of a kick and with more power and perhaps hostility. Excellent album and one of the very best in the Ultimae catalogue.

Code Eternity is an album full of great ideas but sounding a little too digital and sterile sometimes, and occasionally suffering from some poor mixing & mastering. The production is overall "flat" and lacking the kind of warmth and life that later works contain. On the flipside, it's a very interesting album creatively. I don't know many people making slow, heavy atmospheric stuff like this, from 2000 or even now in 2009. I can't completely look past the production issues, but it will see repeat plays in the future.