CONVERGE — Axe to Fall (review)

CONVERGE — Axe to Fall album cover Album · 2009 · Metalcore Buy this album from MMA partners
4.5/5 ·
UMUR
"Axe to Fall" is the 7th full-length studio album by US post-hardcore act Converge. The album was released by Epitaph Records in October 2009. It´s the successor to "No Heroes " from 2006.

The music on the album is hardcore at it´s roots, but Converge is not your "regular" hardcore act and that becomes apparent already in the ultra energetic and powerful opener "Dark Horse". Fast technical playing, raw aggressive vocals and power, power, and more power. Just this one track is so packed with little details that I´m not only banging my head like a madman but also feel challenged musically. The first four tracks on the album are in this vein. Short, aggressive, and challenging. That part of the album is almost over before it began and while I really enjoy this powerful opening to the album it´s not until the sludgy mid-paced "Worms Will Feed / Rats Will Feast" kicks in, that it becomes completely clear to the listener that Converge have more tricks up their sleeve than most of their contemporaries. The 7th track "Damages" is also in this vein and along with "Worms Will Feed / Rats Will Feast" bring variation to the album. But the variation doesn´t stop here. After "Damages" there are four more short and aggressive hardcore outbursts but track 12 "Cruel Bloom" suddenly turns things upside down with it´s mellow clean vocals and laid back post-rock/ metal nature. The closing track "Wretched World" continues this laid back and melancholic style and adds keyboards/synths to the mix which adds a progressive edge to the sound.

It´s pure genious how the tracklist is composed IMO. You´re taken on a roller coaster ride in the 42:10 minutes that the album lasts, but "Axe to Fall" never feels inconsistent or like some of the tracks don´t fit. It´s obvious that a lot of thought has been given to the placement of the various tracks and this is one of the cases where it really pays off. This album reeks sophistication and intelligence but never at the expense of raw energetic power. "Axe to Fall" is produced by the band´s guitarist Kurt Ballou and it´s safe to say that he succeeds in bringing out the best in the songs. The sound is raw and distorted yet detailed and powerful. An absolutely wonderful sound production, which suits the material perfectly.

Upon conclusion "Axe to Fall" is quite the brilliant release which more or less has it all. The sound production is incredibly well sounding, the songwriting is intriguing and intelligent, and the musicianship is on a high level. It´s an album with perfectly balances raw power with adventurous songwriting. A rare treat and a 4.5 star (90%) rating is well deserved.
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