What They Sound Like? In short, these four Melbourne-based Kiwi ex-pats deliver horizon-expanding rock with a healthy dose of prog. In long, the quartet’s experimentally-tilted yet densely-constructed compositions traverse territory that’s at turns atmospheric, visceral, and ear-opening; often across the course of just one of their epic tracks (averaging the 6-10 minute mark).
All the elements are there in their debut full-length release Telescapes, the prog rock lineage evident both in the surrealistic artwork (each track of the concept album getting its own sci-fi style portrait) and the production from Dan Murtagh (Dead Letter Circus, Jericco) and mixing master Forrester Savell (Karnivool, The Butterfly Effect).
Why You Should Care? Though their influences are often transparent (the vocals often recall Maynard James Keenan; the spiralling grooves and ambient guitars, Karnivool) Full Code still manage to fuse their individual pieces into something unique, often offering different approaches to tried and tested methods.
In moody masterpieces (with evocative titles) like ‘Archaeopteryx [Las Aras de Carmesí]’ and ‘Aquautomaton’, Full Code guide the ear in with familiar hallmarks – tribal rhythms, processed guitar flashes, soaring vocals – but then skew them with extra frills like buzzing synth runs and skittering drum breaks. They’re no doubt a force to be reckoned with live and hometown Melbourne fans will get the chance to witness Full Code on the Espy stage at Progfest 2014 this month.
You’ll Love It If You Dig: Karnivool, Tool, Dead Letter Circus, Cog.
Tracks You Need To Hear: The ever-evolving shifts of ‘Obsidian‘ is a good display of Full Code’s full powers, but it’s the simmering six minutes of ‘(b)TtM²’ that’s the best entry-point. Listen below and check out Telescapes over at Bandcamp.
