AxeHammer is a heavy metal/power metal band from Los Angeles, California, USA. They formed in 1981 and released a demo in 1983, but nothing really happened with the band. The band recorded a full album in 1986/1987, but it was never released. Another demo appeared in 1988, but soon the band folded. Sentinel Steel released the bands unreleased album in 1998, together with some demo tracks. This fueled fire beneath the band again, and the a reunited AxeHammer released their first proper full-length album, named 'Windrider', in November 2005.
WINDRIDER (2005) SENTINEL STEEL RECORDS
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Line-up: Bill Ramp - Vocals Jerry Watt - Guitars Joe Aghassi - Drums Colin Sauers - Bass |
'Windrider' is AxeHammer's debut album, and second album, in on. Despite forming in 1981, this is the first album released as an active band. The first album AxeHammer recorded was not released until Sentinel Steel dug it up from the archives in 1998, long after the band folded. Luckily this led to a reunited band, thusly giving us 'Windrider'.
Musically AxeHammer are sticking to their guns. Being a "child" of the '80's, and hailing from the USA, it is traditional power metal, or US metal if you will, we get on 'Windrider'. This band is not out to follow any trends, and the only modern aspect of this record are the production values. That is not to say that 'Windrider' has a modern sound, nor does it sound sterile or over-produced. It is still easily recognized as something recorded this side of the second millennium. The knobs were turned by none other than Bill Metoyer, the legendary Metal Blade boss.
AxeHammer is all about galloping rhythms and powerful vocals. Bill Ramp has a strong, yet smooth voice, with a subtle vibrato. The songs vary from semi-ballads ("Sacred Waters") to full on power metal ("Stand Up And Fight", "Stand And Deliver" etc). So there is enough variation to keep it dynamic. Personally I am reminded of some other bands when I listen to this CD. Saint and Cage comes to mind. The mid-range vocals, the traditional riffing, the thorough US metal sound, it's all here!
There is nothing mind-blowing about this release, and having heard the bands first release, 'Lord Of The Realm', 'Windrider' pales in comparison. Yet, there are no real lows here, and all of the songs are good in their own right. So I am enjoying the heck out of this release.
Killer tracks: Stand Up And Fight, Dancing With Demons, Sacred Waters, Windrider
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