An aspect of the local alternative scene that stands out is when sludge meets doom metal. Bands like P.A.G.E.S., Ruff Majik, Acid Magus and Mad God have managed to amass large audiences by meshing the DNA of these genres together. The latter returns with a new offering — An Age of Ash, a five-track epic that showcases the best of what Mad God does and, at times, reads as a bleak reflection on the state of the world.
Opening with the piercing “The Godforsaken (The Pact)”, it becomes clear early on that this project leans into heaviness and a deliberately slower pace, carried by reflective lyrical content. Lead single “Left to Rot” is the perfect example. Leaning into a more progressive sound, it tells the tale of a man bearing the consequences of making a pact with the devil. Over eight minutes, the track charts a fall from grace against a backdrop of grimey, suffocating instrumentation that drags you deeper with every passing bar. A highlight on the project is “Chosen”, a biting look at the loss of self and the desperate attempt to find a way back.
The cohesiveness of the record shines bright, matched by the technical skill and continued evolution in the band’s sound. Listening to An Age of Ash feels like being led through a Jan Švankmajer film, where the manipulation of matter and reality blurs the line between the familiar and the uncanny. The dystopian tone of the lyrics pulls the listener in, while the band’s sonic experimentation creates a dense, immersive experience that underlines their status as veterans of the scene.
For fans old and new, Tim, Danny and Patrick have curated an exceptional body of work. The effortless ebb and flow between the familiar and the unfamiliar is presented within a narrative that many can connect with, whether on a metaphysical or a brutally physical level. Perhaps the tale they have woven reflects the hopelessness of the world in its current state, or perhaps it is simply a story drawn from an age-old trope. You can decide for yourself. Either way, An Age of Ash is a powerful return from a band that was sorely missed.
Photos by C. Richardson.
