Iron Age is a very interesting band out of Texas who create a titanic wall of old school speed/thrash riffing that often lapses into a hybrid of hardcore, sludge and doom. The band's debut album Constant Struggle was likened to the Cro-Mags, with good reason, but this sophomore effort transcends that, forging familiar elements into a unique experience, devastating and well worth a listen.To begin with, the thrash riffs on the album have a familiar feel to them, they are mild variations on primal 80s thrash bands (in particular, Overkill, Cro-Mags, I also hear a little Cirith Ungol!). The mix is superb, the riffs are vibrant, loud and powerful, and the vocal delivery is both disgusting and pummeling, oozing over the vocals with pure visceral hatred. They are good enough to carry many riffs on the album which might not be so effective otherwise. Though much of the album is delivered in this mid to faster paced thrash style ("Sleeping Eye of the Watcher", "Dispossessed", "Arcana Pt. I" are all great examples), Iron Age is capable of a wider range of exploration. "A Younger Earth" is primal, slower doom/thrash which recalls D.B.C. "Materia Prima" is a fine ambient interlude. "The Way is Narrow" is a seven minute epic ranging from desolate doom to thrash.
What Iron Age lacks in complexity is made up for by the band's atmosphere and the excellent mix of the album. The lyrical blend of earthen and prehistoric themes elevates them beyond the dim entertainment of lesser 'retro thrash' bands playing old riffs and singing about garbage that we just don't care about. Iron Age will have an appeal to fans of thrash, crossover, and doom/sludge metal, and they are one of the cooler bands to ever attempt such an ungodly union. Also, the band has taste (they covered a Flower Travellin' Band track on The Way is Narrow single). Definitely one to check out.
Verdict: Win [8.5/10]
http://www.myspace.com/ironagetexas
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