Artist: Concrete Age
Title: /awaken The Gods
Type: Album
Label: Haarbn Productions
I have a fun short history with Concrete age. I have been a long term supporter of the small UK ‘Warhorns’ gigs and festivals held in Yorkshire – a fantastic bunch of guys, generous and friendly and hugely passionate about what they do (folk, black, power metal, acoustic projects and such) but, lets say, a change in the habits of some ‘fans’ thinking that gigs miraculously appear without them needing to buy tickets upfront, particularly shows who bring bands in from overseas that you wouldn’t usually see in the UK, has caused them severe problems of late. But I was put on to Concrete Age by the late Pete Woods of Ave Noctum who had seen them around London and thought they were up the Warhorns street and I passed the info onto the Warhorns guys without really listening to them that much.
Warhorns booked them. And… well… I kid you not that I heard one phrase from the audience after their incredible set uttered by more than one person: “I have no idea what that was but it was fuckin’ brilliant…” A group of gents dressed almost like Bhuddist monks playing a variety of both electric and traditional instruments sounding something like System Of A Down playing death thrash ethnic folk metal from the Caucasus with the energy and charisma of Tigger on an amphetamine binge and intensity and humour to spare. Yeah it was a riot.
Fast forward a couple of years and here we are, a new album from this multinational London based bunch.
‘Prey For Me’ opens with a beautiful bit of acoustic plucking and a little woodwind as the guitars rise up and… Suddenly all the colours blaze out from them. The rhythm is a mix of Eastern Europe and Middle Eat before an absolute battering ram riff pile on through. Imagine early Melechesh with their dance shoes on because this bastard just bounces. Deep barked vocals, crying out backing, this winds up into a mad dervish dance. We get some superb clean vocals, a mellow hypnotic section, speed, that folk vibe that somehow survives the thrash and death muscle pump. And the emotion it bleeds is just tangible. You can’t imagine an audience standing still if they opened a set with this.
Blistering, wonderful opening.
‘Forbidden Ministry’ is a gallop that sounds like it might trip over itelf but never does. A short, sharp chug. The guitar work here is just sublime; squeals and squeaks bringing actual melody, breaks that scatter notes like seeds from an industrial spreader, and all tied to songwriting dripping with hooks. ‘Awaken The Gods’ again has a deep, rich Middle Eastern feel not just in the instruments but the way the lead vocals rise and call out. ‘Deep inhale, kick the fear out of your bones. Free exhale. Tiem for us to summon the gods from hell…’ It just reeks of authenticity. ‘Cursed Reincarnation’ leads with another fast thrash bordering death riff. ‘Mid-East Boogie’, with a cheeky grin delivers exactly that; an instrumental djinn summoning party with those insanely dextrous fingers dancing over strings of all types like they’re racing each other. I defy you not to grin.
There’s something about Concrete Age’s freewheeling, energetic and passionate approach that reminds me of Tengger Cavalry at their ‘Ancient Call’ finest (RIP the tragic Nature Ganganbaigal) in the perfect blend of the ethnic and the hard hitting metal – no higher praise from me. ‘Warrior’s Anthem’ with its insane refrain could be their cousin from another tribe. ‘Where Storms Gather’ dances in the storm out in the vast wilderness.
Album closer proper ‘Sorrows Of The Flesh’ is that wonderful rumble and darkness the best melodic death metal has, but tied to the veins of their folk music Concrete Age take it by the scruff of the neck and lead it entirely into a world of their own.
We also get two covers. ‘Boro Boro’ (by an Iranian/Swedish singer Arash who represented Azerbaijan in Eurovision!) and Simarik (by Turkish singer Tarkan) and I have to say they are both great fun and metallised up they go pretty hard and add a neat bonus.
What more to say? Concrete Age are a treasure far too many have yet to unearth. There is nothing cold and industrial about this Concrete Age at all. If you’re missing the brilliance of Tengger Cavalry, are into the ethnic stylings of Melechesh gone melodic death with plenty of thrash, have a soft spot for Bloodywood or any kind of folk metal high in the heavy metallic element then you have got to give this a go. Even better if you see their name on a gig listing, go buy a ticket (up front) and go and have the time of your life.
Doesn’t get much better. Really doesn’t. Congratulations gentlemen.
Gizmo
Walking The Liminal Space 