Musical Style: Heavy Metal	Produced By: Bill Menchen
Record Label: Retroactive	Country Of Origin: USA
Year Released: 2006 / 2023	Artist Website:
Tracks: 10	Rating: 70%
Running Time: 38:03

We really want to love Axe Of The Apostles, but its trending of straightforward heavy metal and classic power metal requires a component of notable hooks and musical variances the Final Axe 2006 Retroactive Records sophomore effort doesn’t always deliver.  The musical partnership of vocalist Keith Miles and guitarist Bill Menchen, Final Axe got its start in 1989 with its East West Records debut Beyond Hell’s Gate, an 80% reviewed Angelic Warlord work impressing as ‘a catchy and high energy combining of traditional metal and melodic metal with occasional thrash influence’.  Whereas trending similar musical territory, Axe Of The Apostles fails to carry over the musical consistency to Beyond Hell’s Gate resulting in an effort that while shining in places, borders on the uneven and repetitive a few too many times for my taste.

Initially intended for release in follow up to Beyond Hell’s Gate under the title Burn In Hell, Axe Of The Apostles was written in 1990 but shelved despite its vocal and guitar parts having been recorded.  Fast forward to 2006 and Miles and Menchen reunite to complete the newly entitled Axe Of The Apostles recording process with Robert Sweet (Stryper) on drums.  With the original 2006 Retroactive release long out of print, Axe Of The Apostles was re-mastered (courtesy of Rob Colwell of Bomboworks Sound) and re-issued in November of 2023 with an 8-page mini booklet (noting the work of Scott Waters of No Life Til Metal Graphics).

Opening cut “Heads Will Roll” embodies the assailing Final Axe Sound.  It proves heavy, fast and intense with a Saint meets Judas Priest traditional metal vibe.  Production is top notch as is performance from Miles (raspy but powerful mid-ranged vocals), Menchen (Herculean rhythm guitar and unabashed soloing) and Sweet (well-placed double kick drum).  That said, hooks are understatedly subtle, albeit not to the point of repetition but requiring a certain amount of time to grow into.  Lyric snippet:

The smell of death in the air cause the children to grieve
Cry a river of tears but you still won't believe
Close your eyes to the world pretend it's all just a game
As it darkens your mind do you know who's to blame?
When will you learn?

The same applies with “Burn In Hell”, a raw shredder whose hooks might be more distinct but still take several listens to pull you in.  Song decelerates to a driving acumen, not quite doom like but slogging nonetheless with strong willed riffing commanding the verse sections and added double kick drum the admonishing refrain.  It cannot be understated the profound impact Robert Sweet has on the Axe Of The Apostles sound.  Lyric snippet:

Bring him unto me this fallen angel of light
I want the whole world to see the ruler of the night
The one who tortured souls drag him on his knees
God is in control it’s time to watch him bleed

“Ball And Chain” slows tempo further with an audible bass presence rooted in the trenchant mid-paced.  It otherwise realizes a similar heaviness as remainder of albums material but also an element or repetition from lacking the reach out and grab you hooks distinct to the top cuts off Beyond Hell’s Gate.  Final verdict is not terrible - band performance remains at a high level - just not memorable.  Lyric snippet:

These prison walls keep closing in
This chain grows longer as I continue in sin
Link by link yard by yard can't ya see the scars?

Tonight I'll change, Oh please believe

In similar fashion with “Hangin’ By A Thread”, another thick as it gets stomper in which all the pieces are in place except the type of driving hooks to draw you in with continuous play.  The repetitive nature to the ‘hangin’-by-a’thread’ refrain fails to do anything for me.  I do appreciate, however, how Miles lowers his register in unveiling a smoother if not darker side to his delivery.  Lyric snippet:

You'll feel something you'll feel pain
You'll feel like you've gone insane
Hangin' by a thread, Hangin' by a thread
Hang until you're dead, Hangin' by a thread

“Dealing With Death” completes a trio of first half songs in which I tend to pass.  Some cool time signatures reveal, ranging from bass and guitar in and out of the mix trade off moments and others in which force escalates from keyed up drumming as Miles unleashes some lower register growls.  Despite such variances, and I hate to harp on this, but an underpinning lack of melody once more forces me to his the skip button.  Lyric snippet:

I remember a day when I was only sixteen
I held a knife in my hand if you know what I mean
I couldn’t handle the world and there was no place to turn
God help me please if it’s all gonna burn

Good news is that some of the finer Axe Of The Apostles material reveals on its second half, beginning with powerhouse “Vengeance Is Mine”.  I take to how the song captures some of the thrash aspects to the heavier Beyond Hell’s Gate material - referencing the ‘chugga-chugga’ riffs to start - not to mention the type of all-out intensity required of the classic power metal genre.  Impetus picks up in perfect double bass fashion for the acute spoken word delivered (and wonderfully catchy) refrain.  This is Final Axe at its finest.  Lyric snippet:

Do they lie to your face?
And do they break your heart in two?
Does he bring you disgrace?
How I wish you only knew
Messiah Saviour Jesus Creator
Spirit healer Righteous Redeemer

I am on the fence with “Slaves”.  Yes, it brings straightforward and no-nonsense metal creditability with its blunt exuberance and brash power.  That said a lack of memorable appeal is a potential turn off in that the brusque refrain potentially might not be engaging to some.  Regardless, Menchen is at top of his game when factoring his impenetrable guitar walls and bluesy guitar leads.  Lyric snippet:

We'll stand all alone and fight to the end
We won't be ashamed of Your word
We know Your truth has set us free
We believe in all that we've heard

Slaves we're your slaves

Despite the clichéd title, “Metal Missionaries” holds up with rapid-fire spoken word delivery and accountability based message revolving around how musicians who are true ‘metal missionaries’ are the ones that walk the talk.  Perhaps it is due to the churlish overtures or flinty delivery, but I sense some early Bride like swagger.  The catchy hooks to command do not hurt either.  Lyric snippet:

Shut the lid and pound another nail
There'll come a time when men's hearts fail
Put in ground and say your prayers
Men go to hell but you don't care
Just set the lights and say your lines
And pray to God that you'll have time
To face the crowds who scream your name
I hope to God you'll end this game

Oh how I wanna believe in metal missionaries,
But when you deceive you're not true metal missionaries

“We’re Not Heroes” also rates with albums finest.  It starts calmly for its plodding bass heavy opening seconds only to launch into high gear at moments notice, giving rise to storm like angst as furious momentum takes ownership of the nervy verse sections and every bit high-strung refrain.  Message ties into “Metal Missionaries” by reinforcing how it is important not to put musicians on a pedestal.  Lyric snippet:

As the curtain slowly close
You can hear the thunder roar
You know the end is coming
So you scream out for more
You push thru the madness
And fall down on your knees
You follow them blindly
But we hope someday you'll see

We're not heroes we're not your heroes anymore

Closer “Worlds Away” is a good albeit short one at just over three minutes.  I appreciate the moderate tempo to reflect an unflagging doom like essence not to mention the equally absorbing refrain with a laid-back resolve of a similar somber magnitude.  Distant but darkly woven backing vocals haunt the backend. Lyric snippet:

What I wouldn't give to have another chance
Look into my eyes just take a glance
What you would see is what you get
I hope to God you don't forget

World's away worlds away

Axe Of The Apostles is a work I have always maintained mixed feelings.  On one hand, its finer material is up there with the best from Beyond Hell’s Gate.  On the other, it also lacks the consistency of its predecessor from how I find myself hitting the skip button a few too many times.  What one cannot question is the strong presence of Keith Miles, Bill Menchen and Robert Sweet, whom are worth the price of admission alone.  If a fan of Bill Menchen - not just Final Axe but also his work with Miles in Titanic in addition to his Menchen and The Seventh Power projects - then I can see you taking to Axe Of The Apostles.  Give credit to Retroactive Records for making it and Beyond Hell’s Gate - noting how it was also re-issued in November of 2023 - available again after having been out of print for years.

Review by Andrew Rockwell
  
Musicians
Keith Miles - Lead Vocals
Bill Menchen - Guitars, Bass & Keyboards
Robert Sweet - Drums

Track Listing: “Heads Will Roll” (3:15), “Burn In Hell” (4:02), “Ball And Chain” (4:00), “Hangin’ By A Thread” (3:05), “Dealing With Death” (3:14), “Vengeance Is Mine” (5:00), “Slaves” (4:35), “Metal Missionaries” (2:58), “We’re Not Heroes” (4:24), “Worlds Away” (3:02)