Metalcatto
You people seem to love when we cover small acts that are either only starting their journey in this cruel world or not getting the love they deserve. So, what about Age of Ruin? It’s a good name, but is Nothingman an underground darling, or am I about to be swallowed by derivative riffs? Don’t worry, you know I like rooting for the underdog, and you can count on this cat to give bands a fair chance without the need for a juicy bribe (though honestly, that’d help in this economy!).
Fun MeloDeath and classic Heavy Metal are the clearest influences in Nothingman. In fact, I’d dare say we’ve finally got an album you can party with that’s not some drunkard Folk Metal record with bagpipes and pirates (I’m looking at you, Elyan and Vicky, who love giving 4/5 to anything remotely cosplay). So, if you’re craving something with a little more self-respect—and especially more self-awareness—then Age of Ruin has cool songs for you. The album is diverse, and if you dislike one track, don’t worry, you won’t be trapped forever: most of them stick to the three-minute mark.
A good way to describe this band is as if you took the playful side of The Black Dahlia Murder and mixed it with everything fun about Black Sites. You get catchy guitar riffs and epic retro choruses that would make any boomer nostalgic for the golden days of deindustrialization, segregation, and mass unemployment. Sorry, got carried away and thought I was at my real job again. Anyway, there are a few things worth keeping in mind—as always, no review goes unscathed!
I’m convinced that Nothingman, despite all the sweat and blood it took to create, has no pretentious ambition. It’s an album made by a band clearly having a blast within the miseries of the music world but staying in a safe zone that many of you will recognize right away. As you probably know, me and “fun” have a complicated relationship, but overall, if you want an album to jam to in your car or headphones without a huge emotional investment, this is for you. But if you prefer being pummeled into a lake of tears and dread, well, this isn’t your stop.
Age of Ruin seems to go against many tropes of our modern scene—especially in MeloDeath—which comes with both pros and cons, of course. Still, I had a good time and didn’t get bored during the short runtime of the album. That’s something a lot of you will appreciate. Just keep your expectations realistic, enjoy the ride, and then go do something useful with your life.
Label: Independent
Release date: 17 October 2025
Website: https://ageofruin.bandcamp.com/album/nothingman
Country: USA
Score: 3.3/5.0
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