🎶 Axemaster
🌎Kent, U.S.A.
📀 Of Beasts and Plagues
® Cosmic Fire Records
📅 19/06/2026
Nearly 45 years after their formation in Kent, Ohio, AXEMASTER return with the fifth full-length album of their career, “Of Beasts And Plagues”. Since 1982, the band has endured countless lineup changes, lengthy periods of inactivity and numerous challenges, with founder and guitarist Joe Sims remaining the sole constant throughout their journey. Despite their long and often turbulent history, the American metallers prove that they still possess the inspiration, passion and creative fire that first put them on the map.
With their latest release, AXEMASTER boldly demonstrate that they have no interest in following modern trends or delivering a polished, AI-generated production. Instead, “Of Beasts And Plagues” is firmly rooted in the classic formula of 1980s US Power Metal, combining heavy, technically accomplished riffs, commanding vocal performances, thunderous drumming and influences drawn from many of the genres that flourished during that era, particularly Doom and Thrash Metal. The guitar work of Joe Sims and Scott Eicher deserves special recognition, as the duo delivers a truly outstanding performance throughout the album. Their riffs are razor-sharp, the solos are expertly crafted, and their overall contribution stands among the record’s greatest strengths.
From a compositional standpoint, “Of Beasts And Plagues” showcases all the different influences that shaped AXEMASTER’s musical vision. The epic “Dragon Rising” stands out thanks to its majestic atmosphere, while “Murder of Crows”, with its unconventional introduction, reveals the band’s more aggressive side. “Terrortory” follows a similar approach, while the back-to-back “The Dark Side” and “Kissed With A Fist” highlight the band’s thrash influences.
The doom element, an integral part of the era in which AXEMASTER developed musically, makes its presence felt mainly on “Clinging To Life”, adding weight and a darker atmosphere to the album as a whole. At the same time, the band’s melodic side emerges in songs such as “Shadows Cast”, proving that power and melody can coexist harmoniously.
To be honest, the only thing that bothers me at certain points is Geoff McGraw’s vocal performance, as it sometimes feels over-theatrical and slightly disconnected from the musical background. Nevertheless, in general, McGraw manages to deliver the theatricality and aggression required for an album that, as mentioned above, draws from almost every metal genre that flourished during that historic decade.
Finally, the production exudes an underground aesthetic that highlights the authentic character of AXEMASTER.
“Of Beasts And Plagues” is an album that will undoubtedly appeal to traditional, old-school metalheads and reinforces the view that this generation of musicians not only has a place in the modern metal scene, but that their presence is essential as a link connecting the past with the present and the future of the music we all love.
★ 8/10
✍🏻 Kostas Boudoukos
