Axe Master have a long history that dates back to before 1985, with guitarist/bassist Joe Sims serving as the band’s founding member and constant driving force. Since then, despite releasing several records, Axe Master have never managed to break free from their cult underground status. Nevertheless, they are now part of the Pure Steel Records roster and have just released a new album, “Of Beasts and Plagues”. Unfortunately, while this new release presents what seems like a first-class opportunity for the band to gain wider recognition, all they ultimately achieve is a major disappointment. They have delivered a completely uninspiring album with very few worthwhile ideas—an effort that falls well below average and is difficult to sit through. Essentially, it is a confusing mix of American heavy metal and power metal with thrash metal and doom metal elements, but the ideas are dull and have nothing fresh or meaningful to offer. The guitars are overly verbose, the arrangements are poor and the vocals fail to stand out. In the end, partly due to its muddled, weak and lifeless production, “Of Beasts and Plagues” fails to provide an enjoyable listening experience. On the contrary, it becomes irritating—a big nothing that disappoints and pushes the listener away. These are harsh words, but they are entirely truthful, and I write them with genuine disappointment. Only a few moments reminiscent of Iced Earth manage to stand out, but they are never enough to change the overall bad impression. Personally, I have no intention of listening to this album again. I am leaving it behind in frustration.
♦ 2/10
Dimitris Zacharopoulos
