:: Converge - Axe To Fall

Converge

When you look over Boston based hardcore/metalcore Converge’s lengthy fifteen year recording career, it’s hard not to be impressed with what they’ve managed to achieve. Although credited as one of the founders of the modern metallic hardcore scene, the band haven’t been afraid to push the confines of their sound to new extremes with every new release, in the process earning themselves a reputation as a one of the scene’s true innovators, as well as one of the most interesting. And as expected, with the release of their seventh full-length release ‘Axe To Fall’, Converge have once again unveiled a new direction. With their 2006 release ‘No Heroes’ concluding what was considered a trilogy of albums that focussed primarily on the one sound, it’s not surprising to find ‘Axe To Fall’ a real departure for the band. But what’s really revealing is just what others bring out within the band themselves through ‘Axe To Fall’. The opening track ‘Dark Horse’ is one hell of an intense opener, with the combined efforts from Ballou and his frantic riffs and Koller’s relentless drumming coming across as simply jaw dropping. But unlike anything the band has managed to produce in the past, the song is actually one of their more accessible and melodic efforts, particularly with Bannon utilising more of his clean vocals to counterbalance his trademark bark.
But as intense as the opener was, it’s nothing compared to the follow up tracks ‘Reap What You Sow’ and the title track ‘Axe To Fall’. The former is given a melodic appeal with the addition of a guitar solo from former Hatebreed guitarist Sean Martin, while the latter is complete audio violence in true Converge tradition, with Blacklisted’s George Hirsch helping out on backing vocals.

Although described as another crushing effort, ‘Effigy’ is one of the more interesting inclusions on the album as it’s one of the results of the band’s collaboration with Cave In, while ‘Worms Will Feed/Rats Will Feast’ represents a shift in gear for the album, with the first half relying on a slow doom like direction, before completely opening up to finish off with a slow building increase in tonal distortion and aggression, without losing any of the song’s original mid-tempo smoulder. ‘Wishing Well’ once again up’s the energy levels soon after, while ‘Damages’ (Featuring 108’s Tim ‘Trivikrama Dasa’ Cohen on lead guitar) tapers things down another touch. The trio of ‘Losing Battle’, ‘Dead Beat’ and ‘Cutter’ return things to pure blasting Converge form, while ‘Slave Driver’ is especially noteworthy because of its unconventional rock sound. The best, and most intriguing for that matter, is really saved for the last. ‘Cruel Bloom’, features Neurosis’ Steve Von Till on lead vocals, is somewhat odd sounding in description, but absolutely works in a genuine Neurosis/Converge collaborative way, while the downbeat closer ‘Wretched World’ is quite simply an unforgettable closer, and one of Converge’s most beautiful sounding sombre efforts to date. Despite the change of sound between releases, Converge have remained incredibly consistent throughout their career, and this release is no different in that aspect. But in terms of where this album sits amongst their catalogue is something else. Following the release of ‘Jane Doe’, I was sceptical as to whether the band could ever succeed in equalling such a masterpiece. With ‘Axe To Fall’, Converge haven’t so much as matched, as opposed to toppling it off its pedestal altogether. This is by far Converge’s definitive release to date without question.
The bottom line – it's easily one of this year’s best releases.