Review by JD on April 30, 2012.

I have not been so glad to see a follow-up album like the one I just gotten. I always want to hear the follow up to an amazing album, to the point of being impatient as hell but this one nearly killed me to wait for. Will this one be that certain release to be well worth the nail biting wait?

Switzerland’s Requiem Eternam blew me away with their amazing album "Visions Of Eternity" with its expressive yet haunting collaboration of Doom Metal and Gothic Metal melded with stories that were captivating with sinister lyrics and that conveys a hauntingly bleak overtone as well with the accompanying music. Now "Stories Of Another Age" is in my hands. I listened, and was not quite sure of it.

It was pure RE right through and through. Songs turn out to sound every bit like their last release "Visions Of Eternity" did and there was the problem that was happening. It sounded exactly like what was on the previous CD. I like a band thatis known for its sound but I also like when a band stretches it - and expands it to create another level of sound for themselves. This did not have that. It still sounded amazing, not to mention the haunting story the lyrics spun, but sounding like something you have heard before took away any of the bands words.

If you like the last album, you just might like this new one just the way it is. It has the balls of the last album, as it does sound so very close to it (even the melodies in places are very close) it ends up losing something in the process - and that something could not be ever overlooked. Mind you that this is a good album, but it creatively stagnates at that point of time and we are then left feeling sort of empty and wanting a little something more than what was given. Pure dissapointment was what was left.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 9
Atmosphere: 7
Production: 6
Originality: 6
Overall: 7

Rating: 7 out of 10

Review by Adam M on September 19, 2011.

There is a Thrash aura that permeates "Dark And Cold" that makes it highly reminiscent to early Metallica. This is both one of the high points of the disc and also its greatest flaw. The music is so indistinguishable from Metallica or even perhaps a band like Iced Earth that it sounds uninspired and lazy. Yet, at the same time there are some enjoyable riffs that have a nice degree of intensity as well. This can be seen on tracks like 'Father', which brings out a cold and dark atmosphere to complement the typical Thrash riffing.

Still, even the emotion put into that song can’t help stop the fact that the outfit seems to be a lesser imitation of classic Metallica material. Musically the band is competent, but doesn’t showcase the dynamics or complexity of albums like "Master Of Puppets" or "…And Justice For All". Furthermore, the vocals are a little below average on my scale and it detracts slightly from the overall experience. The music here is fairly good, but far from great at any point. As such, one could find a more satisfying experience with an album like "Edge Of Earth" by Sylosis at the present moment. That release is far more interesting, polished and adventurous than this one.

As it stands, Garagedays are a competent Thrash band, but one that will leave your memory very quickly. Thrash lovers might find enough quality within this material for it to be worth their time, however.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 7
Atmosphere: 7
Production: 7
Originality: 6
Overall: 6.5

Rating: 6.7 out of 10