Tag: kick axe

I’m not sure how many other rock bands came out of Regina, Saskatchewan but I’m pretty sure Kick Axe have to be the best. After the relative success of their debut album Vice, the follow-up Welcome To The Club was a bit of a let down, so Rock The World was a bit of a do or die album. Of course we all know now that they disappeared after this, but would resurface agin in 2004.

The album gets off to a blistering start with the full on beast that is Rock The World. It’s definitely one of their best tunes. Killer tune. Next up is a cover of one of the most iconic tracks in rock and that is The Chain by Fleetwood Mac. They actually do a really good job and I like the slightly faster groove, and the solo is killer. Red Line is a straight up four to the floor rocker that hits the spot. Devachan follows and is my favourite on the album. Think of a more melodic version of Manowar crossed with Dio, and you may be somewhere near. I have to say, Larry Gillstrom on guitar just rips. Great player! Side 1 closes out with Warrior, a heavy boogie with a great groove and the vocals and harmonies are awesome.

We Still Remember kicks off Side 2 with a groove similar to The Strokes, and the middle section is superb. A ripping intro to Great Escape, pounding double kicks and wailing guitars. Just what we like! A change of pace with Medusa, a quirky tune that has some amazing vocal harmonies and great guitar. Back to the pound with The Dark Crusade a no nonsense rocker, and again the harmonies are killer. Then, into the final tune with Magic Man. I guess it’s as close to a ballad as this band get. George Criston’s vocals are amazing on this one.

I’m not to sure why this band weren’t bigger, maybe they were just too different. Who knows? Great album.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

This is the band’s second album, and is a slight change in style compared to their hard riffing debut, Vices. This is a much more slick commercial sounding record, and whether this was the record company giving them advice or not I’m not sure, but the album after this (Rock The World) was back to the metal and riffs.

Anyway, it doesn’t detract away from what is a still a fun record and very typical rock record of the time (when Def Leppard were riding high). Highlights for me are Feels Good Don’t Stop, which has a large dose of the Leppard formula, the stomp grooves of Make Your Move, and the only real metal sounding track on the album, Too Loud Too Old – this is the direction the album should have gone in.

It sucks when bands are maneuvered to do things that aren’t necessarily are in their best interests. By the time they recorded the next album, all the momentum they hard worked hard to build up had gone.

8/10 from The Grooveman.

One of Canada’s hidden gems. I thought this band would be huge as this is a killer album, but I guess a mixture of poor management and terrible record company choices got in their way. It’s amazing how fans can see the potential in a band, but for whatever reason the suits at the record companies are clueless sometimes. They had a great vocalist in George Criston, and a twin guitar attack of Larry Gillsttom and Raymond Harvey. The focus was definitely on catchy sing along melodies and fat huge riffs, so the blueprint was definitely there.

The opening track and the lead off single, Heavy Metal Shuffle, is a killer track and got the band plenty of attention. Vices comes in with it’s great hook and melody. Stay On Top is more of straightforward rocker but done well. Dreamin’ About You is a power ballad with the emphasis on power, with a great vocal from Criston and a killer middle eight with a nice guitar solo. Side 1 closes out with Maneater, with a great stomp beat and a simple huge fat riff – a typical rock night dance floor filler. I think you’ll agree that’s a pretty awesome Side 1.

Over we flip with On The Road To Rock, which I think was a single – it’s a definite crowd pleaser with a big chorus and hook. Cause For Alarm is up next and the speed goes up a notch – its the most metal track on the album. Great tune! Alive & Kickin’ is a trademark hair rock stomp along track, as is All The Right Moves, which reminds me of Y&T. I can’t exactly put my finger on which track, but it’s a ringer for sure. We close out the record with Just Passin’ Through, and we are back to the big hook and melody. Great album by a great band.

9.5/10 from The Grooveman.