From up around the Salt Lake City area comes forth this pillaging crew of marauding misfits known as CastleAxe (formerly Speitre and pronounced ‘Spider’) whose brand of traditional power metal with some old school thrash will compliment the two genres nicely. I will tell you that vocalist Manchester takes some definite adjusting-to, but by the second track you’re too into the music to notice his vocals are, shall we say, a bit different with a lingering falsetto straight from the murky banks of a castle’s moat.

I hasten to use the words ‘throwback’ simply because it implies too much and offers too little in the basest definition. What I will say is that CastleAxe offers you a very traditional sound that meshes the borders between some Mercyful Fate traditional sounds with elemental power ala early Manowar, Running Wild or the more modern slant in Portrait. The music bangs out some brilliant riffs and arrangements that are exactly what Manowar should still be doing today but haven’t, in my ever humble opinion. The slow, methodical punch to some of the ‘power scale’ riffs grabs your attention quickly, only to be sidelined momentarily by the crisp and edgy galloping that’s happily not overused or relied on too heavily throughout. While everyone today is seemingly captivated by the slow antiquity of Ghost’s sound, not to be overlooked are bands like this that hold high the traditional banner for the minions dwelling underfoot to ingest like bad mead from a tarnished chalice.

“The Philosopher’s Stone” is one of those tracks that takes me back a couple of decades with its ferocious bite and memorable riff that is still pounding in my head even as the live “Knightmare Woman” track is kicking into my ear drums. While the four studio tracks are a tremendous representation of the band’s polished sound via studio magic, the live tracks more or less seal the deal. The band destroys the entire notion they might not bring it live; the tight scope they have in the performance setting is vast and sharp and shows they’re high above a bar band status at this point. They can certainly be a crowd-pleaser from any era of metal, be it power, thrash or NWOBHM, which is also a worthy comparison for this EP.

What we have here is an essential listen if you’re into some true traditional power with some ancient themes devoid of typical and boring devices used in haste to flavor otherwise flat music. Definitely check out their EP as a free download, then get out to see them if you’re in the area and buy one. It’s very nicely done overall.    

TRACK LISTING

*By clicking "Submit" you agree to the following Terms of Use. You agree not to post any material that is obscene, slanderous, or threatening, or that may violate any law of your country of origin or the United States or of international law. Should you wish to restrict viewing of your email address by third parties, you must select "Hide My Email." You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Metal Psalter from any claims, actions, suits, damages, or other costs arising out of any breach of these Terms of Use.

*Comments:

1.  Damned (if I Do)
2.  Ice Troll
3.  Eternal Konkwest
4.  The Philosopher’s Stone
5.  Knightmare Woman [live]
6.  Rise (of the Stairsmythe) [live]
7.  Altered Beast [live]

Total playing time:  33:34

Release Date: 2011
Label: Band Self Released

CastleAxe - Castlemaster EP

Reviewer: Chris

October 9, 2011