ALBUM REVIEW: Axe To Oak – Faith In Jane
The US state of Maryland has a strong history and pedigree for producing exemplary, long-lasting stoner and psychedelic rock bands. Alongside the likes of CLUTCH, THE OBSESSED, SPIRIT CARAVAN and blues rock jam band THE BAKERTON GROUP, the highly prolific FAITH IN JANE have also left their mark on the global psychedelic/stoner rock scene. Axe To Oak is the band’s eighth album, and sees them continue their love for fusing together psychedelia with oak barrel whiskey-soaked southern rock. The band have a considerably diverse musical background and it is all on display in some of the tightest songs that the band have written to date. Bringing big riffs and captivating melodies, Axe To Oak is an epic journey.
Having rediscovered their love for BLACK SABBATH, taken inspiration from the likes of KING CRIMSON and the GRATEFUL DEAD, and soaked up the jazz mastery of JOHN COLTRANE and MILES DAVIS, the band’s psychedelic journey is nothing short of phenomenal. Influences aside, Axe To Oak is a powerfully immersive and earthy album soaked in the wonderfully woody notes of a fine American whiskey. The valve fuelled amps give off a welcoming warmth as you’re transported to the wildernesses of Maryland, the salty Atlantic sea air filling your nostrils.
Compared to the band’s previous two albums – 2018’s Country Side and 2020’s Mother Earth – there is a significant focus on the lyrical themes of the album. Intertwined between the riffs and melodies is a vocal presence and intricate lyricism. The storytelling elements whisk you away to all sorts of places, with Dan Mize’s distinct vocals, which are eerily reminiscent of a young Eddie Vedder, guiding the way. Alongside this focused approach to lyric writing, the band continue to develop their trademark heavy sound, which in turn is hard to pin down as the musicianship of each member brings so many influences to create a uniquely distinct sound.
There is a real down to earth charm about Axe To Oak. It’s an album that exudes humility and lets the music do the talking. Humble, hearty and soulful, there is a lot to like about the homely character of this album. Whilst FAITH IN JANE have once again refined their sound, and the album is as tight and cohesive as they have ever been, they also know how to make music that feeds the soul. There is something of the wilderness within this album; it runs wild and free, twisting and turning through the brush to present you with some incredible melodies that stir the humble traveller spirit within. It would be fair to say that Axe To Oak is a product of its environment, and the best way to experience it would be on top of the Appalachian Mountains looking down across the vast landscape of Northern America.
Opening up the album with an epic nine-minute ramble through riffs, solos and catchy grooves, Whiskey Mountain Breakdown sets the tone for Axe To Oak in the best way possible. Full of vintage 1970s sounding riffs and licks accentuated by chunky chords and powerful vocals, it doesn’t take long before you’re immersed in this album. She Moved Through The Fair is the most interesting song on the album – a modern interpretation of an Irish folk ballad. This modern interpretation with its ancient love and death theme juxtaposed by Mize’s vocals to the backdrop of a wash of shimmering guitars creates a spine-chilling experience that we can all relate to. It leads perfectly into the eight-minute juggernaut Enter Her Light. The song’s vocal melodies harbour a variety of emotions that are quite compelling and moving, echoed by the luscious guitar leads underpinned by solid bass and drum grooves.
Heavy Drinker is the heart of the whiskey soaked nature of this album. It’s here where we see the industrial Birmingham blues of BLACK SABBATH collide with the southern rock weight of LYNYRD SKYNYRD, whilst carrying some of the Irish ballad qualities seen in She Moved Through The Fair. Jamming interlude How Many Ships Sail In The Forest? shows off the band’s musical versatility perfectly and leads smoothly into the title track, which has some of the more captivating melodies on the album whilst simultaneously bringing the thunder with some of the riffs. Album closer The Seeker is a big, anthemic, southern rock-infused ball-buster. Full of heart and fire, it is an epic way to close an album.
Axe To Oak is a hearty and soulful record that will make you feel alive. Old school to its core yet incredibly rich and diverse, FAITH IN JANE are certainly something exciting, and this album is a testament to their perseverance and passion for delivering something uniquely distinct and powerful.
Rating: 9/10
Axe To Oak is set for release on October 7th via Grimoire Records.
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