Metal Underground.com

Like it or not, Converge are directly responsible for the metalcore explosion. Whether that legacy is a good thing or not is completely subjective, but it's universally agreed upon by fans of the genre that "Jane Doe" is a classic, and that any album released post-2001 will always be in the shadow of that masterpiece. But Converge has never been a band to rest upon their previous works and restrict themselves as artists. For the first time in almost a decade, Converge has threatened the legacy of "Jane Doe" as their magnum opus. By subtly integrating guest stars throughout the album, "Axe to Fall" has its own unique identity, while still being very much a Converge album from beginning to end. Well, maybe not the end, but that's a surprise that I refuse to spoil.

It wouldn't be a Converge album if it weren't heavy as a train full of elephants, and for those who love bands that push the boundaries of extremity, "Axe to Fall" does not upset Converge's usual fan base. Jacob Bannon is still shredding his vocal chords, Kurt Ballou and Nate Newton are still shredding at in-human speeds and Ben Koller reminds the world of exactly why his drumming is so revered. However, it's the influences that members of bands like The Red Chord and Cave In bring to the table that make "Axe to Fall" more than just the next Converge album. It will be interesting to see how some of these tracks are performed live - in particular "Wishing Well" - which has one of the best guitar solos of the year.

Even on my fourth listen, there are already tracks that I love to death, in particular "Dark Horse" and the above mentioned "Wishing Well." For an album as brutal as this, the band knows exactly how to create a good hook to draw the listener in, only to pummel them with a short burst of power, like "Cutter" or the title track. Given how technical Converge's music is, and how many other tech bands fail to create either brutality or hooks, "Axe to Fall" is an incredible feat. Everyone, official band member or not, is at the top of their game. "Axe to Fall" is clearly a contender for album of the year, regardless of any genre.