Band: Dark Age
Title: Acedia
Label: AFM Records
Distribution: Rock Inc.
Release date: 13/11/2009
Review: CD

The German formation Dark Age was formed in 1994 (back then called Dyer’s Eve, by the way) by Eike Freese (v, g) (also the guy behind the Eikey Studio) and drummer André Schumann. Throughout the years, Dark Age released several studio albums (mainly through Remedy Records), which were very well received in, especially, their home country. The development of their musical approach is audible on their newest effort too, Acedia, which lasts for forty four minutes and meaning something like ‘mind lethargy’.

Anyway, Acedia is their most modern album to date, still elaborated from a Death Metal-basics and interspersed with groovy elements. However, the ‘core’ of Death Metal has become inferior now, while the definition ‘modern Metal’ covers the whole in its widest sense. Melodic and catchy riffs, some fiery and catchy solos, a melodic and catchy rhythm section, grunts and lots of, haha, catchy melodic vocals are the basement for each track, breathing some ‘hit-potential’, introducing some experiments yet playing on safe. Meaning: meant for a (younger) somewhat MTV-ish audience.

Sorry, this stuff isn’t bad at all; yet again it certainly can’t convince and surprise everyone. Nothing more to add, listening before buying!

70/100

Ivan Tibos.