ALBUM REVIEW: Axe Dragger – Axe Dragger
Proudly flying the flag for the kind of classic heavy metal that never goes out of style, AXE DRAGGER emerge from the flames with their self titled, high octane debut album and it is a fun, unapologetically hard rocking, and riff heavy celebration of the glory and strength of metal.
With a lineup that consists of members who have played in the varied likes of PANTERA, DARK FUNERAL, PENTAGRAM, FU MANCHU and SLOWER, AXE DRAGGER have the metal pedigree for sure but the band (guitarist Bob Balch, drummer Pete Campbell, bassist Fredrik Isaksson and vocalist Terry Glaze) don’t rest on their laurels and past glories and instead, simply rock out on a collection of songs that revel in classic heavy metal stylings.
Combining massive riffs courtesy of Bob Balch with galloping MAIDED/DIO-esque grooves and Terry Glaze’s distinctive and still powerful metal vocals, AXE DRAGGER unashamedly celebrate the gloriously fun side of metal, although not in a joke way at all, they believe in what they do for sure, and it sounds like the band are having the time of their lives in doing so.
The album is very much closer to Glaze era PANTERA and the albums the released with the band, Metal Magic, Projects In The Jungle and I Am The Night, in sound and spirit than any of the other members bands, and AXE DRAGGER salute their love of that classic metal sound and energy from start to finish on this self titled debut album.
There is a celebratory feeling that prevails throughout with the anthemic Shock ‘Em Dead, the full on PRIEST-esque metal assault of El Toro and the berserk Fire In The Madhouse in particular, conveying the spirit of AXE DRAGGER in perfect fashion, and the fact that this album could have been released in 1982 as opposed to 2026, speaks volumes as to where this bands music lies.
Far from sounding like some 80’s throwback record though, the energy of AXE DRAGGER shines through and this results in an almost timeless felling, and it has to be said that every member puts their heart and soul into proceedings and this results in it being such a fun record. There are a few more contemporary moments like Eat Me From The Inside which is obviously reminiscent of Closer by NINE INCH NAILS (and that is if you can call soothing from thirty years ago contemporary) but it is done in full on AXE DRAGGER classic metal style.
With other highlights such as the the mid paced groove of The Damned Will Cry and the galloping frenzy of Death Is Calling my Name, which is a perfect, riff packed way to finish things off, that concludes the album, you have a statement of intent from AXE DRAGGER on this debut release which is a full on celebration of all things good about heavy metal, all delivered with a passion and enthusiasm that cannot be faked.
Hopefully AXE DRAGGER will not be a one off due to the bands members’ other commitments and they can get back together again to unleash their full on metal fury again. But for now, bang your head, throw up the horns and hail to the mighty power of AXE DRAGGER.
Rating: 7/10
Axe Dragger is set for release on March 6th via Ripple Music.
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