War of ages

War of ages – Void (2019)

I decided to do War of ages latest album only in lack of time at this moment. Sorry for that. Will add a short conclusion of the rest but this will mainly focus on ‘Void’. I would label this as a metalcore/djent album with some melodic death metal parts here and there. Djent or even metalcore has been like the curse word in the metal scene, like it´s not real metal or whatever. This down bashing on djenty guitar riffs, might be that it´s so heavily edited stuff or what not, but when you look at some of the top names, they actually pull that off live in an applaudable manner, so I don´t really see the problem. Personally, I love the djenty stuff but in moderation. But this bashing that it´s not real metal or whatever. Get over it and move on. Yes it´s not traditional metal like the old bands, it´s a new era and a new genre, like when Korn came, and metalheads hated on them. Well, it stayed and grew strong and found its fans. Some likes and some don´t. As some love AC/DC or Iron Maiden and some hates the guts out of it. Why waste energy on something you don´t like? Then continue listening to the bands you like. End of story, isn´t it? 

So Back to the actual review. War of ages. Has travelled from new wave ‘US’ melo-death into a more technical Djenty Metalcore act, which I dig.

This album has been spinning on repeat actually more than the average I tend to listen to any specific new albums I come across. Which means that I liked it a lot. I´ve been diving into the djent and metalcore side of the scene during the last 4 years where Periphery is considered to be the top tier djent band. You have bands like Periphery, Architect, Monuments, Veil of Maya, Northlane to mention a few. I´d put the latest War of ages right up there in that league. This album is full of really good and tasty stuff that tickles my earbuds. I actually think this is better than Periphery´s latest, just as a reference since Periphery is so loved. Where I absolutely enjoy alot of the stuff P does, absolute stellar riffs and awesome stuff in general, I often still get bored for some reason. To clarify, my aim with these reviews is not to review in a closed scene (Christian scene) but instead I compare to everything out there and that is really how you can tell if any act holds up. That´s really how I evaluate any music at least. 

To me this is absolutely the right direction for War of ages when you look at the past releases, this is the most djenty and technical in aspects of rhythm work and that I am enjoying very much. This album is full of tasty details that I´m finding really inspiring as a song writer myself and as a technician. Really awesome attention for detail and yet again a very well mixed album by Jack Daniels who´s also on guitar in this band. 

The album has this very tight and punchy drum sound which fits the overall vibe really well. The overall mix is tight and punchy with a solid low-end still making it feel as a quite full and heavy production. Overall, this is just another great showcase for Jack Daniels being a fantastic mixing engineer. The album is full of small details that can be really tricky to fit into a mix. But he has done a fantastic job with this mix. I´m actually really excited about this album and am finding it difficult to choose what to focus on. What should I highlight? But that is a good problem. Often when you hear something you can easily tell if it´s something you like or what´s wrong with it, often easy to describe. Now I find myself going through all these notions, that oh this is so cool, oh and this and that across the whole department, but these extra small attention for details are really what can make a whole difference at times. 

The performance? Well for starters, really good drumming, like world class stuff in my opinion. Nice and groovy, showing some great technical abilities at times. This is a drummer to my taste, a drummer who has groove but can do metal at the same time, with these blast beats and all is just great. Just a wholesome drummer covering all the needed aspects. The guitar work is really nice, and the lead work is really tasty. The vocalist handles his stuff really well and to my surprise I even enjoyed the small rap-like passages a lot. (I don´t like rap) but when it serves a purpose and fits then why argue against it. Well as I said to my surprise, they did not bother me. Got to give some extra cred to the singer, this genre is filled with screamers and singers, some good and some really bad but there´s not many like Spencer, Sam Carter or Andy Cizek who´s phenomenal. Taking a listen through Wars whole discography his development is really noticeable and definitely to the better. How he uses his voice on ‘Void’ is really top notch. Like these vocals a lot. 

Overall verdict is that this is a really good album front to back. I actually think this album doesn’t have a filler but instead I really like every song, all songs have great moments. Really good and cleaver riffs found across the album. The production is top notch, the performance as well so what´s not to like. Well it just falls down on matter of personal tastes. For someone that is into Djenty riffing and metalcore stuff this is a must, and this release belongs in the top league without a doubt. Once again, I´m actually upset that the listener count on Spotify is way too low. These guys definitely deserve more attention. What makes even better is also the lyrics that carries a really good tone and are really well written.  Really like this passage for instance.

“This is war
War on humanity
Now we know that your fall was your destiny
We hear the voices
The endless voices
Bred from desire
And you're too late
Caught up in all your praise
Until you hit the ground
But now you tremble
At the mention of his name”

As goes for the rest of the discography ‘Alpha’ has some really good moments but hasn´t quite that extra edge or spark I hear in ‘Void’, Alex Rudinger on drums is a huge plus and the album comes really close to ‘Void’. Lyrics are really good on ‘Alpha’. Then going backwards, it degrades and loses me more and more. Didn´t pull me in enough and sounded more mediocre and like any other of the so many US ‘Killswitch’ bands. Not a fan of that category.  Plus, quite noticeably lacking on the performance side as well which drags down the overall vibe. Definitely good moments here and there but not more for me. 

I just want to add. We have come to a point where we´re so over saturated with music, everything is so easy to access and fast passed along, quickly over to the next and new one. Album’s don´t have a very long life span these days. For me personally I miss that spark and edge from my youth when I got really excited about new music and stuff that actually blew my mind. I was so impressed with the drummers or what not. Mostly today I´m way more analytical and often times not so impressed by really anything which is really a shame. Call it a bad side effect being a musician and producer. Not many albums that sticks and stays with me. But ‘Void’ has been something that has been on repeat for what has to be a record for me. For the past month I´ve been finding myself wanting to go back to this very album several times a week whenever I´ve been in a spot where I can listen to something. Happy for this experience. ‘Void’ would´ve been my 2019 pick of the year but finding it this late it is my 2021 pick so far.