The phenomenon of re-issues is not a new concept in the music industry, especially seeing as we have witnessed the re-appearance of many classic albums on the shelves of record stores around the world these last couple of years. If that is the case, though, why was I so surprised to see Peaceville records re-issuing an album such as "Rise of the Serpent Men" - the one and only contribution from the UK punk/metal quartet Axegrinder?

Well, without wanting to become offensive, I am quite convinced that there are not many people outside the United Kingdom or Japan, where according to their label Axegrinder are enjoying a legendary status, that are even aware of the band's existence, so there must be a really good reason that made Hammy (label owner) decide to give this album a "second chance". The answer to this question lies, of course, where it ought to be - in the band's music.

It took only one simple spin on my CD player to convince me that my initial assumption of Axegrinder being another classic Punk outfit was totally incorrect. There is a definite relation to that style of music in terms of lyrical context and perhaps even the guitar sound, but the structure and mentality behind the seven compositions that comprise this album is such that will explain why many metalheads will become more than keen in obtaining a copy of "Rise of the Serpent Men" in the near future.

The first signs of the individuality on this release came with the opening intro "Never Ending Winter". Based on a simple but quite catchy 80's Thrashy riff, accompanied by some really nice acoustic guitar tunes, this two and a half minute composition paves the way for the epic-sounding/Bathory-influenced (yes, you heard right) composition "Hellstorm". This is a perfect example of what Axegrinder's songs are all about: a main backbone riff that provides the musical foundations in which the narrative-style vocals convey their political/social messages.

The first song that I really fell for was "Life Chain", and that is because it has the same feeling, structure and mentality that you can find in Nuclear Assault's "Handle With Care" album - one of my favourite albums of all times. Fans of Motorhead and people who enjoy the inventiveness and "weirdness" of Voivod, will definitely appreciate the quite rhythmical "War Machine" or the more atmospheric "The Final War", with it's impressive/prophetic lyrics and it's beautiful piano melodies.

The one song that I can easily mention as the best of the album by far, though, is the five and a half-minute "Evilution". Strange as it may sound, this composition reminds me of Ted Nugent's "Stranglehold". Why? Well, "Evilution" is also based on a single/simple bass-sounding guitar riff, which allows space for the vocals to convey both the emotion and the atmosphere of the composition, and the result is both unique and impressive for a band of this genre.

As an extra treat, Peaceville have added four tracks, which originate from the demos of the band's later re-incarnation Wartech. Even though they had among their ranks three out of the four members of Axegrinder's original line up, Wartech were a totally different band, sounding more like a Voivod clone. Songs like "Malfunction" and "Slow Motion Rewind" may justify the band's attempt to re-create the same atmosphere as Voivod's "Dimension Hatross"(I love this album), but I am afraid that the magic that surrounded the music of Axegrinder was lost along with their name.

I have played this album to quite a few of my friends and I was really glad to see that there was not a single one amongst them that was not pleasantly surprised with what's on offer here! "Rise of the Serpent Men" is a highly contageous album that was not really appreciated back in 1988 - let's do something about it!

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Review by John Stefanis

Band website

Label website