The Black Codex (2015)
Tracklist
1. Overture Pt. I (7:21)
2. Overture Pt. II (7:50)
3. Map of the World - Fairground Of Ark Pt. I (7:40)
4. Fairground Of Ark Pt. II - A World Away (7:15)
5. Wanderlust (7:12)
6. A Dot On The Horizon (7:50)
7. Beneath the Surface (7:07)
8. Flight Of Columbo (6:55)
9. House Behind The Hedge - Trapped In Time (6:40)
10. The City Of Ark (From Above) (7:07)
11. One And The Many (7:54)
12. The Key (7:16)
13. Thoughtcrime and Robbery (6:58)
14. The Scent Of fear (8:14)
15. The Black Cliffs Of Ark (8:44)
16. Stampede (7:00)
17. In The Sewers (6:40)
18. The Mad Realm (7:21)
19. A Wolf Among The Sheep (7:10)
20. The Judgement Of The King (7:21)
21. New Beginnings (8:55)
22. Feast Of Spring (8:10)
23. Demons In Disguise (7:07)
24. Ex Igne Fides (7:22)
25. Safire - After The Fall (8:48)
26. Fairground Of Ark Pt. III / The Conjuration Of Earth (9:29)
27. Is There Anyone Here? (6:36)
28. The Weasel's Theme (6:59)
29. The Weasel And The Child (6:35)
30. The City In The Sky (7:59)
31. Rival minds (6:22)
32. Arriving At The Northern Gate (6:52)
33. Behind The Threshold Of Worlds (8:21)
34. Silhouette In The Window (6:37)
35. Immersion (6:41)
36. The Hauntings Pt. I (12:26)
37. The Hauntings Pt. II (8:07)
38. …And the day will come (13:20)
39. Seance (13:49)
40. In The Dead Of Night (7:28)
41. Rise To Power (6:37)
42. Archetypes (8:33)
43. In The Dungeon (6:51)
44. Prepare For War (6:34)
45. Face To Face (7:42)
46. To The Other Side (7:03)
47. Aftermath (7:31)
48. What Dreams May Come (5:05)
49. And So It Ends (Blue Planet Among The Stars) (6:34)
50. Our Place Under The Sun (7:58)
51. Heading home (13:10)
52. New map of the world (17:41)
About The Black Codex
With a total length of approx. 7 hours, divided over 8 CD’s, The Black Codex is a huge musical project, consisting of 52 episodes. Based on a fantasy story, unfolding throughout these episodes, it features lots of different musical styles and guest musicians. A massive conceptual piece, written in 2014.
The initial idea for The Black Codex was to have an online music series, with weekly episodes. Each week I would write and record a new song and send it to an mailing list of subscribers. Which I did. The project took off on January 1st, 2014 and ended on December 31, 2014. A huge undertaking, and a great challenge for me.
The Black Codex was based on a story I came up with, about a man in a wooden flying device, embarking on a mission to make a map of the world. The world in this case being a renaissance-like fantasy world, with lots of heroes and villains. Having this story as a red thread helped me immensely to come up with new music every week, and would often push me into unknown territory, as a composer.” - Christiaan Bruin
Reviews
“..an in-cre-di-ble great musical talent.” -iopages.nl
“a big work by an interesting musician of our time” -babyblaue-seiten.de”
“The Black Codex is a true masterpiece that only deserves the highest possible rating of five stars.“ - backgroundmagazine.nl
“Christiaan Bruin has delivered a unique achievement.” - progwereld.org
Album credits:
All music and lyrics by Christiaan Bruin.Christiaan Bruin - Vocals, keys, guitars, bass, drums, percussion
Ruben van Kruistum - Cello
Annelies Rijk - Violin
Laura ten Voorde - Violin
Federico Dalprà - Flute
Ken Kunita - Bass clarinet
Simon Dubbeld - Clarinet
Peter Bruin - Trumpet
Rik van Honk - Trumpet, bass trumpet and flugelhorn
Joey van Doesburg - Trombone
Sebas Honing - Electric guitar
Bas Immerzeel - Electric guitar
Tom Luchies - Electric guitar
Album cover art by Gregory Fromenteau. Additional drawings by Christiaan Bruin, Maartje Dekker and Yaroslav Gerzhedovich.
