Old school metal from newcomers. How many times have you got disappointed when picking up an album from a fresh band, who play old school stuff? Now, be honest, please. I've failed to find many truly cool ones, no matter of what style of metal music. The biggest failure about old school bands have been their frankness, and lack of true love for music they play. In fact, many of these bands are totally soulless.

Axecuter hail from the green city of Curitiba, Brazil, where they formed in 2010. Releasing a demo and an EP prior to their signing to, who else than those lovely messengers of METAL music, Infernö Records. 'Metal Is Invincible' is this trio's message for, well, "metal is invincible". It's clear straight away from the first strokes, that Axecuter do not go without a soul. No matter how familiar their music is, they amorously nail it down. It reads on the booklet: "This album is dedicated to all true 70s and 80s die hard heavy metal maniacs, all those who bravely stand narrow-minded against all fashion, trends and disgusting modernity. If you are not one of us, just keep away: Don't by this CD, don't borrow it, don't listen to it, don't review it... Just forget us!!!" So, I'm guilty for liking some of modern stuff too, so thank you and good bye then!

Fuck, I'll still do this, so let's begin. The title track is a speed metal attack, showing the more aggressive side of Axecuter. They aren't singing about the value of gold here... They have good riffs, energy and feeling going on. Just do not expect to hear anything ground-breaking. But heck, it has some keyboards on it! But thankfully it's suitable choir style stuff. The song is screwed tight, with no indulgence. They loosen the tightness a bit on 'Too Heavy to Load', which sounds like Venom and Motörhead colliding heads on. Yes, it's still a bulldozing fucker. Slower 'Feed the Beast' maintains the Venom influence, but brings in Black Sabbath-esque vibes in riffing, but more extensively on clanking bass. 'No God, No Devil (Worship Metal)' begins like Iron Maiden, but turns into a German denim jacket sniffing heavy metal. The song's okay, but too long, even though it contains an extensive instrumental part with some very Maiden-esque guitar soloing.

Then it's time for some recycling. By that I mean, that the band also recycles their own stuff. Well, I should mention 'Destructive Blitzkrieg', because I waited for vocals, but they never happened. A good instrumental piece with one of the best parts of music on this album, starting from the half way the song. And shit, it took long to get to some galloping beats, that are heard on 'Keep on Sinning'! The most compelling song on the album is also the most contrasting one, titled 'The Fires of Krakatoa'. Beginning with rather proggy build-up with exotic guitar work, the song enters into epic fields of Manilla Road and Iron Maiden style, hmmmm, epic songwriting with frightful choir chanting "Krakatoa". Well, there's some Manilla Road waiting, as the cover of 'Heavy Metal to the World' appears as a bonus track on CD edition. Mark Shelton guests on chorus part vocals and a guitar solo. It's a speedy heavy metal song, and is well covered, if quite similar to the original.

The production sounds suitably old. There's some echo on about every instrument and vocals, and it feel roomy, but not too much so. The guitar tone is warm yet chainsaw-ish. The bass is clanking, as mentioned, and the drums pound with force. Everything is played with enthusiasm, and well enough. This sounds well balanced, and nothing overlaps anything in a bad way. Photographed artwork is, in a way, embarrassing, but also rather funny. It's about being metal, as are the most of the lyrics (excluding 'The Fires of Krakatoa'). They have the same feel as the artwork. Oh yes, about the vocals... They sound like Kreator's Mille some decades ago. Fucking brutal, and fit in well.

'Metal Is Invincible' is true party music. It would be best on live setting, but on plastic, it still can cause some injuries from banging out to it. The music and performances sound like it, that they come from the hearts, but I miss true killer songs. The songs do have their characteristics, thankfully. There's no riff, that will be remembered as a legendary riff. But that does not happen very often nowadays, now does that? 'Metal Is Invincible' is easily above average, and maybe the boys will turn the riff screw a step or two tighter next time around.

Rating: 7+ (out of 10) ratings explained

Reviewed by Lane
06/07/2013 16:48