Review CRUEL FORCE ‘Dawn of the Axe’

Cruel Force, this moniker might ring a bell with some of you. The band isn’t a newcomer. It is rather the opposite considering a founding date in 2008. The debut album ‘The Rise of Satanic Might’ was unchained two years later and a sophomore album followed in 2011. These two records echoed well in the underground but unfortunately this first phase of the band came to an end in 2012.

Ten years later, the German metal warriors returned with a single ‘Across the Styx’, followed by two addition 7”-releases. All three songs are now part of the awaited third longplayer of the band which will see the light of day as we speak.

‘Dawn of the Axe’ is the title of an album that carries the spirit of 80s thrash metal and reminds of bands like the earlier Kreator, but also bands like Deathrow and Iron Angel.

Cruel Force are playing a blend of thrash- and speed metal which they purposely keep raw and unpolished. The album sounds archaic and ruthless, manifested by songs like the raging ‘At the Dawn of the Axe’. All the trademarks are present, and the only wish is to go wild while listening to the furious riffs. The song follows the galloping intro/instrumental ‘Azraels Dawn’ which isn’t one of the cinematic intros. ‘Azraels Dawn’ is already a wild and savage start, while ‘Watchtower of Abra’, which comes halfway down the road, is more of a typical interlude, that breaks the flow of the album without distracting from the main aspect which is pure metal power.

I mentioned already ‘Across the Styx’ which is a heavy pounding metal hymn that unfolds its full blast with a switch of gears after one minute. Cruel Force aren’t interested in moderate sounds or compromises to please a bigger group of rock- and metal fans. These four guys follows their metallic heartbeat and deliver an album, that stands for the essence of metal. Screaming guitars, a throbbing beat, excellent breaks and untamed force, that is what ‘Dawn of the Axe’ represents. The axemen of Cruel Force have sharp tools at hand to deliver a longplayer that bursts of energy and each of these nine hits is a hit out of the ballpark.

This longplayer is an ode to the power of metal with ‘Realms of Sand’ being the blistering finish line. Great drumming, excellent riffs and an early 80s inspired melodic solo part, that’s what the ‘Realms of Sand’ brings to the plate.

To sum up: ‘Dawn of the Axe’ is the glorious return of a band that will electrify the metal underground. This album should be part of any metal collection.