The Cimmerian - An Age Undreamed Of
Step into a desolate wasteland, where warriors clash, treasures gleam, and the echoes of battle ring out across a barbaric landscape. An Age Undreamed Of..., the debut album from Los Angeles-based trio The Cimmerian, is a journey through grit and chaos, filled with tales of high adventure and primal fury. With a mix of sludgy, fuzz-filled riffs, commanding vocals, and relentless drumming, this album feels like a battle cry for fans of Mastodon and heavy, riff-driven metal.
The band, consisting of Nicolas Rocha (bass/vocals), David Morales (drums), and Dave Gein (guitars), wastes no time pulling listeners into their brutal world. Their bio mentions that their sound is shaped by tales of warriors and the will of Crom himself, and that influence is evident in every track. This is music built for battle.
The journey begins with Shadow Kingdom, a short but heavy instrumental that sets the tone for the wasteland odyssey to come. The weight of the track feels like the opening march into uncharted territory, preparing listeners for the challenges ahead.
Track two, Neck Breaker of the Mountain, gallops into view with riffs and drums that conjure the sound of charging horses. The vocals are gritty, and the whispered sections layered over the main growls create a subtle, atmospheric tension. It’s fast-paced, relentless, and an early highlight of the album.
Silver and Gold is where the band leans into their storytelling strength. Opening with a simple yet powerful combination of guitar and bass, it quickly transforms into a triumphant battle cry. The song builds into a war chant, low and rhythmic, evoking images of warriors psyching themselves up before the fray. It’s a track that feels like victory in the making—fight, win, and claim the spoils.
The tribal beats of Darkwolf bring a primal energy to the album. Inspired by the 1983 animated film Fire and Ice, the song captures the essence of its source material. The opening rhythm feels like a sacrificial ritual interrupted by the hero’s dramatic rescue, complete with roaring guitars and galloping drums. It’s a cinematic piece that practically begs to be accompanied by visuals.
Mournblade takes us deeper into mythological themes. With rapid-fire riffs reminiscent of arrows raining down from the heavens, this track pays homage to the legendary Stormbringer sword. The middle interlude features a captivating guitar solo before leading back into rhythmic chaos. Like all great adventures, this song takes you on a journey and leaves you feeling like you’ve traveled through an epic tale.
Other tracks, like Deathstalker, continue this thematic approach, pulling inspiration from films and lore that fit perfectly within The Cimmerian’s barbaric aesthetic. The album remains consistent in tone and energy, creating a cohesive experience from start to finish.
One standout feature is the band’s use of dirty fuzz distortion on the guitars, which adds a raw edge that complements the album’s barbaric themes. The bass lines hold their own throughout, stepping forward in key moments to enrich the tracks rather than simply acting as a backdrop. Morales’ drumming is relentless, driving each track with the force of a war drum pounding in the distance.
For a debut album from a band formed just two years ago, An Age Undreamed Of... is an impressive first offering. The album feels like a cohesive story, with each track standing on its own while contributing to the larger narrative. While there are minor moments where the album feel slightly unpolished, they don’t detract from the overall experience. Instead, they add to the raw, unrefined energy that fits so well with the themes of this release.
This may not be an album that will make it into my daily rotation, but it’s one I’ll return to when I’m in the mood for a journey into chaos and adventure. The Cimmerian shows incredible promise, and I’ll be keeping a close eye on their future releases. If this debut is any indication, they have a long and exciting career ahead of them.