Axenstar - Perpetual Twilight
2002 - Arise Records
By Philip Whitehouse
Available from Plastic Head Music Distribution.
Starting life in 1998 as a covers band under the name Powerage, Axenstar have moved on from appearing on an Iron Maiden tribute album to recording this, their debut album. Luckily, despite what their previous form may suggest, this Swedish quintet are not merely Maiden copyists. They actually deal in a blend of relentless velocity, punishing riffs and melodic leads all supported by swathes of atmospheric keyboards and the kind of totally self-indulgent nostalgia-tripping that comes from genuinely not caring that MTV and Kerrang might call your music 'dated'.
Yes, this is unashamedly styled on the 80's metal scene, and there are strong whiffs of Helloween and Maiden about this album... although they do sit at home with more contemporary acts such as Nevermore as well. But none of that matters when the material on offer is as joyously vibrant and energent as this. 'All I Could Ever Be' bursts forth from the speakers like a cheetah with a firework jammed in its posterior, and the punchy production ensures that, given enough volume, the neighbours will undoubtedly mistake the rampaging double-bass drumming for a team of over-enthusiastic workmen drilling the road outside their house.
Thrashier numbers like 'King Of Tragedy' are coupled with more epic numbers like the seven-minute-plus 'New Revelations' to ensure the pace is varied enough to retain interest, and the riffs are never less than satisfying in their force and dextrousness. Even the cover artwork is elegant and apt, provided courtesy of Travis Smith. Overall, this is a slick, professional release worthy of a place in any heavy metal fan's collection.
8/10
2002 - Arise Records
By Philip Whitehouse
Available from Plastic Head Music Distribution.
Starting life in 1998 as a covers band under the name Powerage, Axenstar have moved on from appearing on an Iron Maiden tribute album to recording this, their debut album. Luckily, despite what their previous form may suggest, this Swedish quintet are not merely Maiden copyists. They actually deal in a blend of relentless velocity, punishing riffs and melodic leads all supported by swathes of atmospheric keyboards and the kind of totally self-indulgent nostalgia-tripping that comes from genuinely not caring that MTV and Kerrang might call your music 'dated'.
Yes, this is unashamedly styled on the 80's metal scene, and there are strong whiffs of Helloween and Maiden about this album... although they do sit at home with more contemporary acts such as Nevermore as well. But none of that matters when the material on offer is as joyously vibrant and energent as this. 'All I Could Ever Be' bursts forth from the speakers like a cheetah with a firework jammed in its posterior, and the punchy production ensures that, given enough volume, the neighbours will undoubtedly mistake the rampaging double-bass drumming for a team of over-enthusiastic workmen drilling the road outside their house.
Thrashier numbers like 'King Of Tragedy' are coupled with more epic numbers like the seven-minute-plus 'New Revelations' to ensure the pace is varied enough to retain interest, and the riffs are never less than satisfying in their force and dextrousness. Even the cover artwork is elegant and apt, provided courtesy of Travis Smith. Overall, this is a slick, professional release worthy of a place in any heavy metal fan's collection.
8/10
