The Third Eye

From The Ages released their second album on June 21st, a six-track record that is simply titled II and whose music will satisfy fans of the psychedelic stoner rock genre.  

About From The Ages II

From The Ages is a mostly Instrumental trio from Portland, Oregon, formed in 2018. The band consists of Paul Dudziak (guitars; vocals/lyrics on “Harbinger”), Sean Fredrich (bass), David Tucker (drums; guitars on “Providence”), as well as featuring Tim Burke, who provided lap steel on “Obsolescence.” II is the band’s debut full-length, following the EP release of I in 2021.

The Songs

It’s a bold move to open your album with your longest track, particularly in this time of short attention spans and the need for instant gratification. Thankfully those of us that are fans of this genre are used to songs of this length, and those that aren’t would be wise not to jump ship early here. 

From The Ages take listeners on a journey during “Harbinger,” one that is filled with heavy guitar riffs, throbbing bass lines, rhythmic tribal drum beats, as well as an overall sense of oneness with their instruments that benefits the song as a whole. The vocals are excellent, have a style that is highly fitting for the genre and are performed exceptionally well.

I absolutely love the drumming during the intro of “Maelstrom.” It’s a tom and cymbal heavy affair that is an example of using a drum kit to its fullest potential while never overpaying. The following section utilizes a riff that could appeal to fans of Leviathan-era Mastodon before settling into a less intense riff similar to the intro. This part is also where the drums take over the focus for me, and I am happy to hear it. The rest of the song is more or less a repetition of what we’ve already heard but with a few changes thrown in to keep things interesting.

I’m a big fan of bass and drum intros, and “Tenebrous” gives us exactly that. The tones are as deep as the wreck of the Titanic, creating an ominous vibe that is doubled when the clean guitars come in. Something about that initial clean tone is compelling, and the eventual addition of distortion multiplies that. 

After some riff riding comes a guitar lead, and this section is badass! I love it when bands feature a bass and drum rhythm underneath the lead instead of recording a rhythm guitar track. There are a couple of these sections, and the guitar leads are the perfect mix of style and controlled chaos. The outro returns to what was done during the intro, ending the track perfectly.

“Epoch” is another cool track, particularly the psychedelic influenced intro section. The following riffs are pretty heavy while still fitting in with the psych sections, which seem to alternate between the two styles as the track progresses toward its end. 

I wouldn’t classify “this”Obsolescence” as doom in any way, but more in a psychedelic western desert rock realm. The bass line is terrific, adding just the right amount of panache while still supporting the song, and the guitar parts are stellar. The best thing about “Obsolescence” is that it is unlike any of the other songs on II, is arranged brilliantly, and everyone involved plays top-tier musicianship.

A blues meets Middle Eastern guitar part is an exciting way to go and is the focus for the entirety of “Providence,” the final track. The guitar has an almost Sitar-esque sound, easily lending itself to a psych rock vibe, and is probably the most fitting way to let listeners go. Not with heavy riffs and power, but with style and slightly mellow vibes.

Final Thoughts

My final thoughts are on the positive side of the spectrum, as From The Ages has created a very entertaining album. If I were to nitpick, I wasn’t totally into the alternating-section format that a few of these songs have. I credit the band for changing bits and pieces during them, as it helps keep things from being repetitive.

From The Ages’ II is a killer album overall, and I recommend that you all listen to it and go back to listen to their first album, I. You can find both on Bandcamp, YouTube and wherever you listen to your music. Enjoy!

Check out II by From The Ages on Bandcamp here.

Support From The Ages by finding them on Bandcamp or social media (Facebook).

This review was written by Tom Hanno, who has been writing reviews for the last 7 years but has been sharing his love of music for the majority of his life. Originally starting out at the now-defunct Chimera Magazine, he is currently contributing to Doomed and Stoned, The Sleeping Shaman, The Doom Charts, Tom’s Reviews, and The Third Eye. Read more of Tom’s reviews by checking out his Linktree.

Parting words: “All deities and demons, all heavens and hells are internal.” – Timothy Leary

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