GODIA: End of Ages

GODIA
End of Ages
(Rottweiler Records)

GODIA (God in all things) is a brand spankin’ new metalcore/deathcore/djent band from
Chennai, India. End of Ages is their debut album. What we have here are heavy riffs,
djenty breakdowns that don’t overdo the technical aspects, and a mixture of vocal
styles—from death growls, blackened rasps, metalcore gruff, and occasional clean
vocals (but again, they’re not overdone).

“End of Ages I – Genesis” features an instrumental ambient-leaning keyboard track. It
teases you a little because it causes the listener to expect some hip-hop or electronica
before kicking into follow-up track “Prophecy,” a decent opener that ticks the boxes but
doesn’t really grab the listener in the way I’d hope.

“Undefined Character” is a more satisfying listen with its heavy, chunky rhythms and
passionate screams. Lyrically the track sets you up to think it’s about grieving a loss
through death, but rather the death is a metaphorical one, meaning the song is about
some sort of broken or suffering relationship. “Burial of the Wicked” starts with a very
metallic, melodic lead guitar riff often utilized in metalcore. While metalcore breakdowns
are used, they are not the main focus of the song. A clean vocal is used in the chorus,
but this one leaves me a bit wanting. I’m not sure if it’s the melody that falls short or the
vocal style. All in all, this is still a great track that finishes with a really nice breakdown
and a vocal ending that will peel the paint off your barn. Lyrically the song tackles a
similar topic as its predecessor, sounding out feelings of betrayal and friendships gone
sour.

“Escape from Hell” opens with a nice blastbeat, but the mix is slightly off as the drums
come in much louder than the guitar riff making it hard to discern the difference. This is
a real shame because the tempo on this track combined with the most brutal vocal
techniques we’ve heard so far would make this track one of the stronger ones on the
disc. Again, it’s not bad, just wish the mix was clearer. After this section we have a
really cool semi-melodic post-hardcore section that juxtaposes clean guitars with harsh
vocals, and then straight back into the blastbeats. This song is really growing on me
despite some of the problems with the mix.

“Reborn” opens with an effective breakdown with some haunting lead guitar over the top
of it. The chorus features some clean singing again, but this time it’s much more
effective than the previous effort. The melody is a little more complex and less
simplistic, as well as less repetitive. Some really nice guitar rhythms later over the top
of verse 2. One thing I’m really beginning to appreciate about GODIA are the multiple
layers they have going on in any given song, often with several things happening at
once in the same section.

“End of Ages II – Revelations” begins with some atmospheric keyboard and a piano riff,
which are joined by some heavy guitar breakdowns just before the vocals join in the

assault. This is another great example of what GODIA do best—weaving melodic leads
with brutal screams that are part guttural dm vocal/part metalcore growl. The song is
written from the point of view of someone who desires to move forward in life, but is
being held back by others who are given a harsh response:

Go take your opinion with you
‘Cause I don’t want to hear it
Go take your decisions with you
‘Cause I don’t need to hear them
And yet there is the loss of a friendship that once was:
We have forgotten how we feel
And have become slaves to memory
How I wish we could go back

Finally, there is only one thought left for the antagonist:
Never hold me back!

It’s an unpleasant reality that we’ve all had to face at some point—the choice to move
forward when others are stuck in their old ways. The separation is unfortunate, but
often necessary.

“End of Ages III – Reflections” is a straight-forward metalcore romp that sounds great
and sets the way for album closer, “Silence,” a track that is anything but silent. Opening
riff is brutally heavy and metallic. This might be the heaviest track so far. The riff
reminds me ever-so-slightly of a Tourniquet song, but I don’t want to say which one. If
you hear the reference, put a note in the comments to prove to me that I’m not out of my
mind for suggesting!

This is a decent attention to your metalcore/deathcore/djent metal collection, and
definitely a surprise coming from India! While there are certainly hints at the band
members’ Christian faith in the lyrics, there aren’t clear faith statements or sermonic
undertones either. The overall themes revolve around the difficulties of human
relationships and the need to make one’s own choices in life.

My rating: 3 out of 5

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