Barrel Aged – Barrel Aged
Genre: Rock | Styles: Hard Rock, Grunge | Released: 2016 | Country: Spain | Label: No Me'n Records
Alright, let’s get this straight—this album hits like a sledgehammer to the teeth. It’s raw, gritty, and unapologetically loud, just how hard rock should be. Hailing from Spain, Barrel Aged cranks out some serious noise with their self-titled debut. And no, it ain’t perfect—but that’s kinda the point. This is music for people who don’t need polish; they need punch.
The record kicks off with “Borges,” and holy hell, does it set the tone. The riff slams you in the chest right away, all jagged edges and pissed-off attitude. There’s something about how the vocals gnarl over the top—it’s like hearing someone scream into a storm. You can almost smell the sweat-soaked clubs where this track was born. If you’re looking for soft melodies or radio-friendly hooks, keep walking, pal. This one’s for the headbangers.
Then there’s “Eyes Wide Shut.” Damn, if this doesn’t stick in your brain like gum on a hot sidewalk. The groove here is nasty, man. Like, dirty basement nasty. The guitar work twists around these thick basslines while the drums hammer away like they’ve got something to prove. By the time the chorus explodes, you’re either throwing fists in the air or punching a wall—your call. It’s chaotic as hell but so damn satisfying. Feels like they recorded it live, too, which makes sense given the credits say it was done at La Campaneria Torelló. Props to whoever mixed this mess because it sounds huge without losing its edge.
Now, not every song lands perfectly. Tracks like “Inanity” and “Bloody Profit” feel a little repetitive after a few spins, but even then, they still pack enough grit to keep things interesting. The whole thing clocks in at just under an hour, and honestly? That’s plenty. Any longer, and it might start feeling like a chore instead of a riot.
Artwork by Ramon Maiden deserves a shout-out—it’s got that grimy, tattoo-parlor vibe that fits the music perfectly. Mastering and mixing by Cholbi? Solid job. Everything sounds tight without being overly sanitized, which is exactly what this kind of rock needs.
So yeah, Barrel Aged ain’t gonna win any Grammys, and frankly, I doubt they care. What they’ve made here is pure, untamed energy wrapped up in 11 tracks of grunge-infused hard rock fury. Sure, it could use a bit more variety, but when it works, it REALLY works.
Here’s the kicker though—listening to this feels less like entertainment and more like therapy. Like maybe these guys were pissed off about something real bad, and instead of yelling at their neighbors, they channeled it all into this beast of an album. Makes you wonder what they’re running from—or toward. Either way, turn it up loud enough, and you won’t care anymore.
