With such an awesome album title, artwork, and a name like Mage, you expect a psychedelic experience of the universal energies vibrating through your void soul and possessing you.... or something similar...
Well Mage doesn't do that, in fact they miss the mark with a listenable album which felt like they weren't trying to do anything different from the 'stoner doom' formula or push the envelope, not necessarily a bad album by any means though don't misunderstand.
Before the lynch mob come for me I think this is no fault of 'Mage' as they are good musicians and the album is well produced and there's some good moments during the album, it's that people(me included) are becoming jaded by "stoner doom" bands and their eerily all-too-similar sound. So unless the band is doing something interesting or experimental or conceptual it fades into the sea of 'stoner doom' albums that are good to have on in the background when doing stuff around the house or a party etc.
There are positives of course: great sound/tones, vocals, groovy/riffy, the title track was easily my favorite it felt like it had more theatre to it than the other tracks, in regards to concept and storytelling, etc. ending on a chuggy riff which had me nodding along. I do believe they are more a live band to truly appreciate what 'Mage' is and that opinion is from experience from seeing them a few times.
7/10 RIFFS
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