Converge – Axe To Fall Review
Words by Ian Dickinson
It is coming to the end of the year and it is common at this time to start reflecting on what’s gone on over the past 12 months. After many hours of deliberating I thought I had my Top Albums list solidified until a certain band unleashed their latest full length on the world. Someone got the chop and Converge crept in at the last moment and for good reason to. Converge have proved again that they are one of the finest and fiercest bands on the scene and they have returned with one of the years most outstanding albums.
In much the same way as when you buy a German car, you expect quality. A Swiss watch precision. An album by Converge, full unadulterated shredding and bleeding ears. Its never an easy experience but its always eye opening and exciting. Since 1990 Converge have influenced countless bands and in the process have built a fine reputation of integrity and excellence. Axe To Fall (ATF) only exemplifies all that is awesome about Converge. I am not normally this gushing about a band. I feel like a cheap slut who has been taken for a meal at Nando’s and then supplied with a never ending supply of cheap Cider, but this album really is that good. The finest part about ATF is that it was completely different from what I had been expecting, which is always a sign of a class act.
When writing or talking about ‘heavy’ bands the term brutal is massively overused. I am as guilty of this as the next man, but Converge completely personify the word. ATF, sees Converge return in full bloody and horrific form. Utterly intimidating and disturbing. At times it is difficult to get through the whole album without needing to pause for a break. The schizophrenic vocals, frantic guitar onslaught and drum barrage is delivered with impeccable style leaving you clutching for air.
The opening 2 tracks, Dark Horse and Reap What You Sow are proof of this. Precise pandemonium is created. There is a sense of lawlessness and hysteria but amazingly everything is kept coherent, creating nothing less than sheer hardcore glory. Reap What You Sow, contains one of the many thrash style guitar parts that accompany the blitzkrieg of drums from Ben Koller, keep the album moving at a super sonic pace.
Worms Will Feed opens with a sleazy downtempo Danzig’esque riff, just in case you weren’t already shit scared. The change in pace enhances the claustrophobic atmosphere. Jacob Bannon’s lyrics become audible and even more threatening. The track is dirty and filthy as the guitars screech and shrill in your ears. The executioners drum roll adds to the horror. Its never going to have a happy ending. The thrash blast that is the 1 minute 40 second wonder Cutter is a straight up balls to the wall brutal assault (see there’s that word again).
After the full frontal attack Converge stealthily sneak up on you for the kill with the final two tracks; Cruel Bloom and Wretched World. I never expected the album to conclude in such a way. After the chaos inducing pit music of the first 12 tracks, why would there be any reason for it to end any other way? Converge strike their most venomous blows to the senses with these tracks. Cruel Bloom opens with a piano and acoustic guitar. The mood is morbid and murderous and the vocals are delivered in a slow, creepy croon, similar to that of Tom Waits. Seven minutes long Wretched World proves Kurt Ballou and Bannon’s ability to create ghostly and atmospheric music. Even though it is 7 minutes long its captivating nature means you forget time and its all over to soon. The tempo is slow and haunting. The bass is gut churning. The drums rumble like distant artillery fire. Strange voices can be heard. Guitars grind over the whole affair and the vocal delivery is tragically melodic and heartfelt. This is a distressing epic and a chilling end to a frantic album.
Converge are no less severe, but there is a certain amount of cohesion that makes ATF more enjoyable. This could also be down to the killer riffs that cover the album like bodies on a battle field. ATF never cease. There are no ‘catchy tunes’ or choruses to sing-a-long to. It is relentless and all consuming. Converge are an all out bombardment on the senses. Whilst reading the album inlay I noticed the inclusion of a glockenspiel and a saxophone. I’ll be damned if I have any idea when they appear in the album. If you do please leave a comment at the bottom. It has been said by some that this is the bands finest album since the ground breaking Jane Doe and is possibly as good.
This post is tagged Axe To Fall, Ben Koller, Converge, Epitaph Records, Jacob Brannon, Kurt Ballou, Nate Newton
