Dark Ages (album)

Dark Ages
Studio album by Soulfly
Released October 4, 2005
Recorded 2005
Length 66:25
Label Roadrunner
Producer Max Cavalera[1]
Soulfly chronology
Prophecy
(2004)		 Dark Ages
(2005)		 Conquer
(2008)
Alternative Cover
Limited Edition Digipak cover

Dark Ages is the fifth studio album by the metal band Soulfly. The album was released on October 4, 2005.

Album information

The album explores aggression and dark themes to mourn the deaths of Max Cavalera's 8-month-old grandson, Moses, and his close friend Dimebag Darrell.[2] Dark Ages was recorded in five countries – Serbia, Turkey, Russia, France, and the United States. Cavalera praised this album by calling it "unorthodox metal."[3]

Songs

The album opens with an intro track "The Dark Ages," which continues into "Babylon," which explores worldwide chaos.[4] "Arise Again" combines Metallica-like riffs and Sepultura-like echoes.[5]

"Corrosion Creeps" is dedicated to Chuck Schuldiner of Death.[6] "Fuel the Hate" begins with the lyric line 'Monday, July 16, 1945, 5:30am',[7] exact time and date when 'Trinity' nuclear test occurred. It was around this time that the lyrical themes began to move away from the earlier spiritual themes and began incorporating more violent and aggressive elements. Richie Cavalera, Max's son, co-sings on "Staystrong" as a tribute to youthful deaths of Moses and Dana.[2]

The outro for "Bleak" was recorded in an ancient temple in Istanbul to capture echoes to include as common sound effect on this album.[3] "Molotov" lyrics are in Russian, Portuguese, and a final verse in English.[8] The performance of Billy Milano, one of two guests for "Molotov," was recorded over the phone by Max.[2] "Riotstarter" contains strong tribal chants, and "Innerspirit" blends clean and melodic vocals by the guest Coyote over the roars by Cavalera.[9]

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic[10]
Blabbermouth.net[9]
Blogcritics[11]

AllMusic had a positive response, because the album has greater complexity of metal than any of the previous album, thus refreshing the band with veterans present.[10] Blogcritics had a very good response, as "Cavalera is screaming louder and harder than ever throughout. He’s raging harder and in a higher range than he’s been in years, and it’s a welcome improvement."[11]

Track listing

All lyrics written by Max Cavalera except where stated; all music composed by Max Cavalera.

Dark Ages
No. TitleLyrics Length
1. "The Dark Ages"    0:48
2. "Babylon"    3:53
3. "I and I"    3:15
4. "Carved Inside"    3:35
5. "Arise Again"    4:10
6. "Molotov" (feat. Paul Fillipenko & Billy Milano)Max Cavalera, Pavel Fillipenko, Billy Milano 1:58
7. "Frontlines" (feat. Kerry King)  4:34
8. "Innerspirit" (feat. Nemanja "Coyote" Kojić)Max Cavalera, Nemanja Kojić, Bojan Stojanovic 5:15
9. "Corrosion Creeps"    4:27
10. "Riotstarter" (feat. David Ellefson)  5:00
11. "Bleak"    4:57
12. "(The) March"    1:19
13. "Fuel the Hate"    4:12
14. "Staystrong" (feat. Richie Cavalera)Max Cavalera, Richie Cavalera 8:14
15. "Soulfly V" (+ untitled hidden track at 7:15)  10:54
Total length:
 1:06:25
Japanese & Limited Edition Digipack
No. TitleLyrics Length
16. "Salmo-91"  (taken from Psalm 91) 4:24
17. "Prophecy" (Live at Metalmania Festival 2004)  3:27
18. "Seek 'n' Strike" (Live at Metalmania Festival 2004)  4:15
Total length:
 1:18:29

Credits

Soulfly
Additional musicians
Production
  • Max Cavalera - production
  • John Gray - recording, engineering, digital editing, mixing on "Molotov" and "(The) March", additional mixing on "Soulfly V"
  • John Bilberry - assistant engineering
  • Matt Marksbary - assistant engineering
  • Justin Salter - assistant engineering
  • Terry Date - mixing
  • June Murakawa - assisting
  • Milan "Bare" Barković - engineering
  • Alexkid - engineering
  • Darya Jubenko - engineering
  • Gloria Cavalera - executive production
  • Ted Jensen - mastering
  • Monte Conner - A&R
Management
  • Gloria Cavalera - management
  • Christina Stojanovic - management
Artwork
  • Michael Whelan - illustrations
  • Mr. Scott Design - art direction
  • Leo Zuletta - Soulfly logo

Chart positions

Album - Billboard (North America)

Year Chart Position
2005 The Billboard 200 155

References

  1. ↑ "SOULFLY: 'Dark Ages' Final Track Listing Revealed". News. BlabberMouth. June 7, 2005.
  2. 1 2 3 "Soulfly - Dark Ages". Reviews. Alternative-Zine.com. 2006-11-07. Retrieved March 6, 2014.
  3. 1 2 "Review: "Soulfly: Dark Ages"". Sea of Tranquility. Retrieved March 6, 2014.
  4. ↑ Lyrics of this song at MetroLyrics
  5. ↑ Tom Day (3 Oct 2005). "Soulfly - Dark Ages". Album Reviews. musicOMH. Retrieved March 6, 2014.
  6. ↑ "SOULFLY: New MAX CAVALERA Audio/Video Interview Posted Online". BlabberMouth.
  7. ↑ Lyrics of this song at MetroLyrics
  8. ↑ Lyrics of this song at MetroLyrics
  9. 1 2 "CD Reviews". Blabbermouth.net.
  10. 1 2 "Dark Ages - Soulfly". Allmusic.
  11. 1 2 richwithhatred (July 26, 2005). "Review – Soulfly – The Dark Ages". Blogcritics.
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