Old Man's Child Albums (7)
'Slaves of the World'
Release Date 1/1/2009
Tracks 9
Label Century Media Records
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
Never quite able to compete with the heaviest hitters of Norwegian black metal (Emperor, Darkthrone, Mayhem, Enslaved), Old Man's Child appeared headed to the also-ran scrap heap when main man Galder decided to join his more successful rivals, Dimmu Borgir, in 2001. But, ironically, it's almost as if accepting second fiddle status was exactly what the multi-instrumentalist needed to ensure that post-Dimmu Old Man's Child records -- of which 2005's Vermin is the second -- would rank among their best works to date. Not earth-shattering or revolutionary, Vermin is nonetheless sturdy, entertaining, and "civilized" Scandinavian black metal featuring semi-symphonic highlights like "Enslaved and Condemned," "The Plague of Sorrow," and "The Flames of Deceit," executed with the clinical precision that OMC fans have come to expect. The very nature of this controlled attack means that some of the genre's more extreme savagery is inevitably forfeited during the delivery, but occasional offerings such as "War of Fidelity" (with its machine-gun riffing) and "Lord of Command (Bringer of Hate)" still manage episodes of near loss of control now and then. Yet it's probably Galder's talents at conjuring endless sinister melodies -- not his competent but less than unique vocal growls, not his admirable but equally sub-Dimmu orchestrating abilities -- that supply Vermin's most frequent distinguishing moments. That and the rotating quasi-folk melody threaded through the rather unusual "Twilight Damnation," which precedes the industrial outro "…As Evil Descends," wrap up a solid, unspectacular, but above-average Old Man's Child album. ~ Eduardo Rivadavia, All Music Guide
'In Defiance of Existence'
Release Date 1/1/2003
Tracks 9
Label Century Media
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What The Critics Say
Despite traveling even farther away from black metal's roots, Old Man's Child is still one of the consummate death metal acts, mainly because In Defiance of Existence remains as uncompromisingly vicious as it is confidently experimental. Ambient keyboard swells rule the landscape, changing tempos and volume as often as necessary, but not too often to usurp the catchiness of the fast riffing and drum fills, making this disc the best of all worlds without sacrificing anything out of supposed contradictions. In a genre that is either black or white, Old Man's Child has released a disc that resides in gray areas previously unexplored and even feared unattainable, making the transformation from pedigreed players living on reputation alone to a force to be reckoned with. ~ Brian O'Neill, All Music Guide
'Revelation 666: Curse of Damnation'
Release Date 1/1/2000
Tracks 8
Label Century Media
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'Ill-Natured Spiritual Invasion'
Release Date 6/23/1998
Tracks 8
Label Century Media
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'The Pagan Prosperity'
Release Date 1/1/1997
Tracks 8
Label Century Media
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What The Critics Say
With their second album, The Pagan Prosperity, Old Man's Child prove themselves one of the more varied bands on Norway's black-metal scene, creating different sonic textures instead of just pounding away. That's not to say there's no lightning-fast death-metal aggression; it's simply mixed in with melodic passages, solid midtempo metal grooves, and tinges of goth-rock. The band doesn't always use its range in a focused manner, but overall, The Pagan Prosperity marks Old Man's Child as a band to watch. ~ Steve Huey, All Music Guide
'Born of the Flickering'
Release Date 1/1/1996
Tracks 10
Label Century Media
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
Old Man's Child's debut, Born of the Flickering, is an average thrash-metal album, where the emphasis is unsurprisingly on guitars. There's a bit too much flash in the riffs and solos, but there's enough here to illustrate that the group has promise. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
