Back in 2023, Pittsburgh standouts Code Orange delivered one of the most dynamic studio releases of the year in heavy music. The Above was a universally-acclaimed effort and one that more than exceeded the expectations that came as a result of the band's lauded 2020 release, Underneath. 

Following the debut of the record however, Code Orange fell silent. Sidelined by unfortunate health complications with guitarist Dominic Landolina, touring became an especially difficult task. That extended inactivity would ultimately hinder the impact of the band's achievement with The Above - unable to share its full effect live. 

With more time passing, members of the project began to become more and more active in other arenas. For frontman Jami Morgan and keyboardist/programmer Eric “Shade” Balderose, the creative tandem dove into their work with NOWHERE2RUN. Foe guitarist Reba Meyers, a budding solo career in addition to her work as the new touring guitarist for Marilyn Manson left fans wondering - what about Code O? 

On a recent episode of the Nik Nocturnal Podcast, Morgan spoke candidly, though still somewhat guarded about the sad reality for Code Orange. Morgan confirmed that the band is on hiatus for the time being. He confided how health and circumstances ultimately forced the band's hand. He also eluded to the idea that there were other aspects he would rather not discuss, but shared that people could likely deduce for themselves. 

In an excerpt transcribed by The PRP, Morgan confided, 

“We don’t [have any plans], you know, Code Orange is on the shelf, and I think it’s there for a good reason, for many reasons. I think you can put two, two and four together, and you’ll probably come to the answer.

And I’m super stoked on the record [‘The Above‘]. It was a series of circumstances. One that I am happy to speak about is my guitar player, Dominic [Landolina] — he’s one of my best friends in the world — was dealing with a really hard genetic condition that really started damaging his hand, and his neck, and his foot, and that was the primary cause for us to have to cancel our first tour on the record.

His fingers were this big, I was really scared for him. He was having a really hard time. He’s got it under control now, for sure, which is amazing. Um, and, you know, so it just felt like ‘The Above‘, if you guys haven’t checked it out yet, it says a lot of what needed to be said about that, and even just spiritually, artistically… It’s such a, for me, beautiful way to have put that pause on it. And it kind of says everything that I wanted to say. It’s almost like it feels a little bit like a death record in some ways, but in like a beautiful way for me.

So I feel really artistically fulfilled in that way, and [Code Orange] is just on the shelf and there’s many circumstances, and we’ll see what happens. But, yeah, I have no plans.”

Morgan would further suggest that the cards didn't seem to fall in the band's favor, though he does believe what Code Orange has accomplished with eventually come back around. 

“If it was right, and if things were right, and things were happening the right way, then we would have did it. But I felt that they weren’t, for many reasons, and so did others. And you know, we said, ‘Fuck that. That’s not how we operate.’ We’re not gonna fight against the current here.

I’m gonna die like a warrior on my shield, not like a fucking bitch, you know, screaming and crying and kicking and moaning. So it wasn’t that glorious. But at the same time, I think that the band will accrue love.

There was so much art and love put into the band, dude, and so much thought. And I think that over time, hopefully that’ll accrue, and maybe, like, maybe the trends and stuff will come around and swing to it.

Because I do think it’s… I still hundred percent believe it’s very forward thinking, and I think it always kind of was, and I’m very proud of that. I’m very proud of it.”

During the 2023 release of The Above, KNOTFEST was embedded with Code Orange for their Code's World release event and hometown performance in Pittsburgh. Revisit the magic below. 

Long Live Code O.