South African traditional and stoner doom metal trio Mad God have released their third full-length album, An Age Of Ash, a sweeping concept record that marks a major evolution in the band’s sound and storytelling.
Released today via Mongrel Records, the album delivers five expansive tracks rooted in slow, crushing doom and layered with a dark fantasy narrative.
More info about Mad God
Formed in 2014 by vocalist and guitarist Tim Harbour alongside drummer Patrick Stephansen, the band built their name by blending classic doom influences with psychedelic textures.
Their earlier releases, A Tale of A Sightless City (2017) and Grotesque and Inexorable (2018), explored themes ranging from cosmic horror to true crime.
The addition of bassist Danny Helsing in 2021 proved to be a turning point, unlocking a new level of creative chemistry that now finds full expression on An Age Of Ash.
An Age Of Ash is a dark fantasy world brought to life
At its core, An Age Of Ash is a fully realised narrative set in a collapsing world. The album unfolds in a war-torn kingdom where long-forgotten evils begin to resurface, fuelled by corruption, betrayal, and the return of ancient forces.
The story centres on two key figures: a young woman searching for redemption, and a father whose desperate decisions set him on a path toward destruction. Across its five tracks, the album paints a bleak and immersive picture where survival is uncertain and hope is in short supply.
The narrative builds on the events of the band’s earlier single “Left To Rot,” expanding that foundation into a broader saga involving demonic pacts, rising powers, and the unraveling of an entire kingdom.
Musically, the album pushes beyond the band’s established formula. While retaining their signature slow, heavy groove, An Age Of Ash introduces progressive elements such as unconventional song structures, shifting time signatures, and more intricate melodic ideas.
The writing process was deliberately organic, with songs evolving over several years. Many tracks began as simple riffs before being developed through extended jam sessions, allowing the material to grow naturally into its final form.
To preserve that organic feel, Mad God chose to record the album live at Helsing Studios. All core instrumentation was performed together in the same room, without the use of a click track, and many solos were improvised on the spot.
This approach gives the album a raw, cohesive energy that sets it apart from their previous releases. The recording process unfolded across multiple full-band sessions, followed by separate vocal recordings to complete the project.
Mixing and mastering were handled by Danny Helsing, who shaped the album’s dense and atmospheric sound while maintaining the intensity of the live performances.
With An Age Of Ash, Mad God step into their most immersive and fully realised work to date. It’s a record that expands their sonic boundaries while staying grounded in the heavy, hypnotic sound that defines them.
For longtime fans, it deepens a world that has been building for years. For newcomers, it’s a strong introduction to a band that clearly has no interest in playing it safe.
You can stream/download the album HERE.
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