Cruel Force – Dawn Of The Axe
Cruel Force – Dawn Of The Axe
Shadow Kingdom Records
Release Date: 22/09/2023
Running Time: 38:06
Review by Richard Oliver
8/10
Returning for a third album of speed thrashing madness are German metal merchants Cruel Force who bring their old school metal worship A-game with “Dawn Of The Axe”. Cruel Force are one of many bands falling under the bracket of what people are terming “blackened speed metal” or “blackened thrash metal” and it is a glorious throwback to the early to mid-1980’s with a sound that mixes proto-black metal, speed metal and early thrash metal.
“Dawn Of The Axe” sounds like it could have been written and recorded in 1984 with its unapologetically old school sound and raw production and put simply, it is a stunning album. If you are looking for originality and the next new sound or trend in the world of metal then this album could not be further from that being a fantastic homage to a classic metal sound albeit with bags of speed and ferocity. The previous two albums from Cruel Force saw the band pursuing a pure speed and thrash sound on debut “The Rise Of Satanic Might” while second album “Under The Sign Of The Moon” had far more influences from traditional heavy metal. “Dawn Of The Axe” has elements from both of these but this time round there is a definite leaning to a heavier thrash sound with songs such as ‘At The Dawn Of The Axe’, ‘Death Rides The Sky’ and ‘Across The Styx’ hurtling along with speed and aggression as well as tight riffing, relentless drumming and hardened snarling vocals but still retaining a degree of catchiness and structure from traditional heavy metal as well as some of the riffing style of old school speed metal.
There are countless bands playing this old school style at the moment and while it is at risk of over saturation, the bands involved are all fantastic at what they do and their songwriting and playing abilities ensures that these bands and albums are all vastly enjoyable, with “Dawn Of The Axe” being no exception. I thoroughly enjoyed the previous Cruel Force albums but they have definitely stepped things up a notch with “Dawn Of The Axe”. In an age where some metal albums can end up sounding over-produced, clinical and devoid of passion, Cruel Force bring a breath of old air with an album that harks back to those glory days in the early to mid 80’s when heavy metal was in a transitional phase with new and exciting subgenres and sounds springing out of the underground. Whether you like traditional heavy metal, thrash or speed metal you will find plenty to love on “Dawn Of The Axe”.
“Across the Styx” Official Video
TRACKLISTING:
01. Azrael’s Dawn
02. At The Dawn Of The Axe
03. Night Of Thunder
04. Death Rides The Sky
05. Devil’s Dungeon
06. Watchtower Of Abra
07. Across The Styx
08. Power Surge
09. Realm Of Sands
LINE-UP:
Carnivore – Vocals
Slaughter – Guitars
GG Alex – Drums
Spider – Bass
LINKS:
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