| Written by Alex Stojanovic TRACK LISTING 10,000 Pound Hammer Crawling Chaos Axes Of Evil Flowers Of The Dead Mystify The Dream Hypnotic Aldar Rof Shallow Grave Death Before Dishonor Bravado Knight Of Pain Release Date: November 24, 2017 Label: Pure Steel Records Website: www.axemasterofficial.com www.facebook.com/axemasterofficial |  |
AXEMASTER IS:
Geoff McGraw - Vocals Joe Sims - Guitars Damin Bennett - Guitars Denny Archer - Drums Jim Curtis - Bass
Geoff McGraw - Vocals Joe Sims - Guitars Damin Bennett - Guitars Denny Archer - Drums Jim Curtis - Bass
Since 1985, guitarist Joe Sims has been the driving force behind Ohio metal outfit Axemaster. For years, he has worked hard to keep the band alive, despite the period of inactivity from 1995 to 2008. There were also a couple of periods where the band was active under different names, but in 2010, they returned to the Axemaster name with a new lineup and released Overture To Madness in 2015, and the new album Crawling Chaos. It's also worth noting that 2017 marked the 30th anniversary of the release of the band's first album Blessing In The Skies. However, we're here to talk about Crawling Chaos.
As the album begins with "10,000 Pound Hammer" and "Crawling Chaos", we are greeted with some slow, but groovy riffs that set the bar for what's to come. When it comes to the production, the guitars do lack punch and sound rather thin. I do wish that the guitars had a bit more crunch, but that doesn't take anything away from the songwriting. As we continue down the album, we get some more groovy numbers like "Flowers Of The Dead" and "Axes Of Evil", but then we arrive at the album's instrumental "Mystify The Dream Hypnotic". A short little guitar showcase, it carries a big Middle Eastern flare which adds a bit of a different texture.
As we come to "Aldar Roff", we get a mid-tempo galloping riff in the vein of "Rime Of The Ancient Mariner". That pattern, no matter how many times we've heard it, never gets old. With catchy vocal lines from Geoff McGraw and catchy guitar work from Sims and Damien Bennett, this is undoubtedly my favourite track on the album. I've got to be honest. Crawkubg Chaos didn't grab me right away and it still hasn't quite grabbed me 100%. Maybe after a few more listens, that will change. As I mentioned above, if the guitars had a bit more crunch, I think the album would've grabbed me a bit quicker. I've always been a fan of great production. I'm not saying this is a bad album at all as the songwriting is solid. I wish Axemaster much success for the future.
Highs: Solid songwriting. "Aldar Roff" is the album's best track.
Lows: Production is a little too thin. Could've used a bit more punch.
Final Rating: 7/10
As the album begins with "10,000 Pound Hammer" and "Crawling Chaos", we are greeted with some slow, but groovy riffs that set the bar for what's to come. When it comes to the production, the guitars do lack punch and sound rather thin. I do wish that the guitars had a bit more crunch, but that doesn't take anything away from the songwriting. As we continue down the album, we get some more groovy numbers like "Flowers Of The Dead" and "Axes Of Evil", but then we arrive at the album's instrumental "Mystify The Dream Hypnotic". A short little guitar showcase, it carries a big Middle Eastern flare which adds a bit of a different texture.
As we come to "Aldar Roff", we get a mid-tempo galloping riff in the vein of "Rime Of The Ancient Mariner". That pattern, no matter how many times we've heard it, never gets old. With catchy vocal lines from Geoff McGraw and catchy guitar work from Sims and Damien Bennett, this is undoubtedly my favourite track on the album. I've got to be honest. Crawkubg Chaos didn't grab me right away and it still hasn't quite grabbed me 100%. Maybe after a few more listens, that will change. As I mentioned above, if the guitars had a bit more crunch, I think the album would've grabbed me a bit quicker. I've always been a fan of great production. I'm not saying this is a bad album at all as the songwriting is solid. I wish Axemaster much success for the future.
Highs: Solid songwriting. "Aldar Roff" is the album's best track.
Lows: Production is a little too thin. Could've used a bit more punch.
Final Rating: 7/10
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