If you ask me, a demo is rarely anything to go off of as it gives us the rawest and earliest sound a band could produce at the beginning of their existence. It’s not often at all that a demo of any sort catches my eye, especially if its from a band whose name rides solely on that demo at the time of its release. But, like many things, there are exceptions. Toadeater’s demo caught my eye not that long ago and it really made me wonder what this German unit could accomplish, and the resulting debut album is nothing to scoff at.

The market for any sort of post-black metal release is far from scant as you can find so many different acts from all over the world taking a slightly different approach to the style in order to make it sound interesting, hopefully. We had just three tracks to work with when Toadeater’s demo came along, and the growth is all but clear as you can not only see that in the track listing that has nearly tripled this time around, but the sheer presence and overall quality of everything is increased tenfold with “Codex” being a more than flavorful debut for us to sink our teeth into. Hopping from one caustic barrage of calculated black metal fury to an engaging set of atmospheres that are incredibly immersed in every form, there isn’t a single aspect of the style that Toadeater didn’t nail with surprising deadliness as “Codex” doesn’t disappoint in any capacity. It shows off the ferocity and the diversity that Toadeater gave us glimpses of before, and it’s here with these eight tracks that we’re given plenty of potency and power that feels unique but by-the-books all at the same time as even though Toadeater doesn’t stray far outside the boundaries of the style, they make the display flashy from start to finish.

To see such promise followed up by glory that can still be built upon but is far from weak is a treat like few others, and Toadeater absolutely delivered with this album at just about every feasible turn. “Codex” brings together so much of the style but Toadeater never feels as though they’re another band to hear and then immediately forget, but to instead keep an eye on as there’s clearly more to this band than meets the eye.

“Codex” releases on August 31st!

LISTEN to advanced tracks from “Codex” on Bandcamp here.

LIKE Toadeater on Facebook here.