Album Review: "The Age of Man" by Nàire

Asmoth Uccen

A few weeks ago, one of my contacts suggested to me to give a listen to The Age of Man, the album by the Austrian band Nàire. And as with every suggestion I get, I went back to Metal Archives to check out the band's page. Nàire is an atmospheric sludge metal/crust band formed in Linz in 2018. The band's first EP, Epoch, was released in 2021. The Austrian band then released their debut album, The Age of Man, in February 2024 in digital and digifile CD formats via the label Running Wild Productions. The band also reissued the album on vinyl in April of the same year.

So, The Age of Man is a seven-track album totaling 46:14. From the very first notes, the listener is plunged into a heavy, slow atmosphere straight from doom metal. In several passagems, the instruments unleash their fury, as on the opening track, Beast, from 1:23 onwards. The album contains several melodic sections with a death metal feel, carefully placed grooves, and obvious blast beats that break the monotony. Black metal influences are also recognizable, particularly on tracks like Thirst. On the track Flesh and Stone, the tone is rawer and more direct, giving the composition a more brutal aspect.

The guitars evolve at slow tempos, then accelerate, changing pace without warning, or at times when the transitions don't necessarily suggest a change of rhythm. However, they also display a certain delicacy, as on the track Anthropocene, with the bass resonating in the background. The bass is also very prominent, especially on tracks like Flesh and Stone, where its impact is clearly felt. The drums demonstrate their potential throughout the album, I think the tracks Anthropocene, Kings, and Flesh and Stone are the best examples of this.

The vocals evolve through various growls, some deeper than others, while still remaining comprehensible. At times, the singing takes on a higher, more black metal-inspired form, as on Anthropocene from 5:46 onwards, with a powerful, strident vocal. As for the production, I find it impeccable and modern, allowing the listener to appreciate the different nuances and structures that the Austrian band offers.

Among the moments I enjoyed most were the melodies that emerge on the track Beast from 5:41 onwards and on Anthropocene starting at 5:19, followed by an excellent vocal performance that I really liked. There's also the track Kings, with its structure and evolution that grab your attention from the very first seconds. The section starting at 4:22 is one of the best on the album: guitar melodies accompany intense blast beats.

The Age of Man is an album that can be categorized as blackened melodic death/doom metal. The album doesn't just offer a style; it also presents a unique identity whose various elements are felt throughout the listening experience.

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