| Musical Style: Metal / Hard Rock | Produced By: Ken Tamplin |
| Record Label: Intense / Girder | Country Of Origin: USA |
| Year Released: 1990 / 2020 | Artist Website: |
| Tracks: 18 | Rating: 85% |
| Running Time: 67:37 |
Every hard music enthusiast knows the Ken Tamplin legacy is large and legendary. That legacy traces to 1986 and acclaimed Joshua album Surrender in which he contributed rhythm guitar and lead vocals (to part of one track) but continued into the remainder of the decade with his signature band Shout. Consisting of former Joshua members bassist Loren Robinson and (later) drummer Joseph Galletta, Shout released two highly regarded melodic metal and hard rock albums on Frontline Records in It Won’t Be Long (80% Angelic Warlord review) and In Your Face (85% review) in 1988 and 1989, respectively. Whereas Shout potentially featured some of Tamplin’s finest songwriting, in my opinion he hit his artistic stride with Magdallan, recording excellent 1992 debut Big Bang with guitarist Lanny Cordola, and as a solo artist.
Tamplin’s solo career began in the early nineties and spans well past the turn of the century in encompassing musical styles diverse as the shear volume of albums he has released: melodic metal, AOR/melodic rock, Christmas music, ballads, covers compilations, etc. I find his initial solo work the best. Debut solo album An Axe To Grind, on Intense Records in 1990 under the Tamplin & Friends moniker from the numerous guest musicians to appear, can conservatively be described as a musical continuation of Shout. That, however, might be an oversimplification in that while the album has its share of commercial metal Shout-like moments, it derives every bit much from laid back and gritty blues driven hard rock. When further factoring aspects of acoustic rock and even instrumental jazz, An Axe To Grind separates as a true solo project to mirror the artist’s distinct imprint as opposed to a band type release.
As with many albums from the period, An Axe To Grind went out of print and turned into a hard to find collectors item. Enter Girder Music, who in the summer of 2020 re-mastered (by Rob Colwell of Bombworks Sound) and re-issued the album on Gold Disc Edition CD and splatter vinyl. Expanded packaging includes revised cover art in addition to a professionally done mini booklet home to vintage photos of the musicians performing on the album in addition to lyrics and liner notes in an easy to read font. Bonus material comes in the form of the two songs to appear on the 1992 Shout compilation At The Top Of Their Lungs and a demo version of “Take Em Back” (from John Jacobs & the Power Team Soundtrack).
Production sounds fine for the era but re-mastering provides an added dose of polish allowing for the bigger guitar presence and more pronounced drum sound. Fine details such as crisper guitar leads, cleaner bass and transparent keyboards better stand out in the process.
Shout style arena rocker “Livin’ For My Lord” gets things off to a strong start. The song successfully plays to Tamplin’s strengths: inviting upbeat tempo, richly done vocal melodies, crunch heavy guitars over gritty low-end fortitude and signature hooks to spare. Mark St. John and Scott Van Zen combine for an animated lead guitar trade off. Any album to feature Ken Tamplin includes not just good music and musicianship but quality lyrics as well:
I'm taking life as it comes
Oh Lord you keep me holding on
Don't really care what people say
I know where I'm goin' I found my way
And I have the satisfaction
Of that straight and narrow road
It's no emotional reaction
I'm gonna reap what I've sown
'cause I'm Livin' for my Lord…
“Goin’ All The Way” leaves impression as a gutsy blues laden hard rocker. With periodic shouted ‘Hey!’ backing vocals, the song gradually advances its distance in affable fashion - mid-tempo but robust is the feel conveyed - but without breaking from the guitar entrenched complexion. The grainy character involved speaks less of Shout style accessibility and more of an instinctive Tamplin piece instead.
Those familiar with artist’s Shout days know his ability to compose a quality ballad, and such is the case with “Never Give Up”. It revels in eighties commercial glory but not to a fault with its AOR tinged harmonies, lightly done but permeating rhythm guitars and accenting keyboards to taste. Of course, Tamplin shines in exhibiting the breadth to his warmly tinctured mid-ranged voice.
Driving hard rocker “Not Alone” kicks in at once, forthright with its straightforward and no frills attitude (once more brimming of grainy propensities) but also over the top when elevating for its pompous refrain (commercial vocal melodies again play a prominent role). Nearly a minute of its length devotes to Van Zen’s feisty guitar solo. “Not Alone” is aptly entitled:
I can hear when I'm listening
Oh Lord You're everywhere
Telling me beware
All alone I can feel it in the night
This time well I gotta make it right
Its got me believin’ I know see you now
I'm feelin' that my heart is on the line
First two and a half minutes to “Goin’ Home” is instrumental as Tamplin and Van Zen put on a clinic of jaw dropping lead guitar to run the gamut from the instigated to delicately easy going. Remainder of the song settles down to a worshipful blues-rock vibe as David Sikes’ breathing bass infuses the backend and vocals take a soulful tone. Again, this one speaks of the worshipful:
Precious Lord Jesus
Oh You've been so good to me
And I thank You Lord, oh how I thank you Lord
For Your lovin' never fails
And I can't wait for that moment
When I'll be going home
Oh Lord only You know
Lord I've served You heart and soul
And I know this life ain't the end
“Straight Between The Eyes” is home to the same relaxed and blues drenched instincts to make the albums better material so special. Acoustic guitar plays a prominent role, instilling the composed mid-tempo verse sections, as does gritty slide guitar, building upon the gallant refrain of a more elevated form. Only a select few have potential to duplicate Van Zen’s shredding lead guitar.
“I Hear Cryin’” returns to sweeping ballad territory. It is of equal capacity as “Never Give Up”, also central to keyboards and acoustic sentiments reinforced with subtle rhythm guitar all the while ample backing vocals play a prevalent role. Yes, a bit predictable and we have heard countless times before but quality all the same.
Two part piece “Holdin’ On/The Chase” opens to a flamboyant open-air guitar solo courtesy of Tamplin prior to moving on to its up-tempo commercial hard rock first part home to catchy hooks and animated guitars in equal amounts. Roger Mielke’s classical keyboard solo carries the instrumental second. A message of encouragement is conveyed:
Shatter the dark with the might of His word
There’s power and mercy
Oh havent’ you heard
Don’t be a fool
They’re playin’ for keeps
Lies and confusion are out to deceive
O here’s no disguise
I’m keepin’ my eye on the prize
I’m gettin’ ready
And lookin’ up to the sky
This reviewer’s choice track ensues in “Take ‘Em Back”, three and a half minutes of explosive melodic metal with a strong anthem-like slant in which besetting riffs and Joey Taffolla’s magnetic soloing tear up a storm. Drummer Ken Mary and bassist Chuck Wright, later to reunite for Impellitteri's 1994 magnum opus Answer To The Master, provide the unbending low-end backbone. “Take ‘Em Back” is a song of victory:
An unseen presence the prince of air
With all of his power strikes like lightning
Of whom he may devour
His deeds sweet as honey with a price for all his friends
It seems kind of funny until it's end
Hey master deceiver, we're the children of the light
Comin' at you crashin’ through the night
No one said it was easy to stand for what is right
But if we hold on together, we'll make it through the fight
One thing to remember what conquers all is love
And it only comes from the Lord above
Album variety manifest in “Believin’ Is The Hardest Part”, a tasteful acoustic rock piece in which an opulent melody and airy backing vocals build upon the enriched scene. Not unlike many cuts here, it mirrors the manner in which the artist separates himself from Shout and branches out to more distinctive musical territory. All guitars attribute to Lanny Cordola.
Seven-minute instrumental jazz piece “All The Things You Are” closes things. Despite Tamplin not receiving a songwriting credit or even performing on it, the song stays true to the albums guest musician theme. It brings a fitting jam fusion-ish feel, distinguished with its classical guitars and Jeff Berlin’s buoyant bass but also lively when factoring periodic explosions of heavier rocking guitars, crediting the work of Cordola and Joe Diorio.
Considering the album already features 15 songs, any bonus material is potentially excessive. The two Shout songs, for instance, might have worked better as bonus tracks to the Girder re-issue (from last year) of In Your Face instead. Still, “When Secrets Cry Out” is good as a driving hard rock cut with hooks to spare, as is “Little Liar (Luci)” in similar musical vein but also borrowing the riff from Tamplin (artist’s 1993 solo album) piece “Testify”. Demo version to “Take Em Back” does not stray far from the studio rendering but rawer in lacking the same polish.
An Axe To Grind might not be my favorite Ken Tamplin solo album - that honor belongs to the as noted Tamplin (also a Girder Music re-issue from 2019) but is still a solid work more than justifying its 85% score. Whereas I appreciate how the artist joins equal parts bluesy hard rock with Shout style commercial metal, he proves equal adept at branching out into musical styles somewhat outside the box in comparison. Of equal import and lending to the ‘AND FRIENDS’ aspect are the many referenced (and quite talented) guest musicians to appear. Lone constructive comment revolves around the numerous 30 to 60 second ‘sound byte’ interlude pieces, which while well done but also potentially clutter the track listing. Regardless, if back in the day you missed An Axe To Grind or are interested in the album in a highly upgraded version, then make the Girder re-issue a priority purchase.
Track Listing: “Livin' For My Lord” (4:55), “The Continuing Saga Of Screwtape & Wormwood” (:30), “Goin’ All The Way” (4:08), “Never Give Up” (5:16), “Music Box” (:58), “Not Alone” (3:52), “Goin’ Home” (5:27), “Bouree In E Minor” (:45), “Straight Between The Eyes” (4:18), “I Hear Cryin’” (4:50), “Armageddon” (1:03), “Holdin’ On/The Chase” (3:43), “Take ‘Em Back” (3:22), “Believin’ Is The Hardest Part” (4:21), “All The Things You Are” (7:20
Track Listing (bonus material): “When Secrets Cry Out Loud” (5:01), “Little Liar (Luci)” (4:18), “Take Em Back (Demo) (4:17)
Musicianship
Ken Tamplin - Lead Vocals & Guitars
Scott Van Zen - Guitars
Lanny Cordola - Guitars
Mark St. John - Guitars
Gary Buchanan - Guitars
Joey Tafolla - Guitars
Keyboards - Roger Mielke - Keyboards
David Sikes - Bass
Chuck Wright - Bass
Jeff Berlin - Bass
Joseph Galletta - Drums
Ken Mary - Drums
