Final Axe is a Heavy Metal/Thrash band from Las Vegas, Nevada that saw its conception back in 1989 by Keith Miles & Bill Menchen(Redeemer, Rev Seven, Menchen, The Seventh Power). Before Final Axe came into existence, Keith Miles cut his teeth with a garage Metal band called 'Holy Right' back in the mid 1980's. Holy Right produced one album in 1986 titled 'Stand As One' on Erika Records. Unfortunately, the recording was poorly produced and was deemed by many to be one of the worst Christian Metal albums in the history of White Metal. The line-up for 'Stand As One' was comprised of vocalist-Keith Miles, lead guitarist-Sean Silas, rhythm guitarist-Steve Bell, bassist-Randi Davidson, and drummer-Chris Garett.
The thing about hitting rock bottom is that, afterwards, there's only one way to go and that's up! Armed with the experience of his previous band, Keith Miles decided to look for new opportunities in the music industry. It wasn't long before he teamed up with guitarist-Bill Menchen and the two began collaborating and sharing ideas for new material. In 1989 Bill and Miles' partnership resulted in the formation of a Heavy Metal band called 'Final Axe'. With new wind under their wings, both Bill and Miles began looking for a drummer & bass player. It wasn't long before they discovered bassist-Rod Reasner, and drummer-Chris Lattimer who both came on board to complete the band's roster. That same year, Final Axe stepped into the studio and began working on material for their first full-length album.
The thing about hitting rock bottom is that, afterwards, there's only one way to go and that's up! Armed with the experience of his previous band, Keith Miles decided to look for new opportunities in the music industry. It wasn't long before he teamed up with guitarist-Bill Menchen and the two began collaborating and sharing ideas for new material. In 1989 Bill and Miles' partnership resulted in the formation of a Heavy Metal band called 'Final Axe'. With new wind under their wings, both Bill and Miles began looking for a drummer & bass player. It wasn't long before they discovered bassist-Rod Reasner, and drummer-Chris Lattimer who both came on board to complete the band's roster. That same year, Final Axe stepped into the studio and began working on material for their first full-length album.
In 1989 Final Axe released their independent full-length debut album titled 'Beyond Hell's Gate'. The recording was originally released on cassette format and finds the band playing Heavy Metal in the veins of 'Exciter'. With the release of 'BHG', Final Axe had produced a solid project that received rave reviews garnering the band a much needed fan base in the Metal community. The group's line-up for 'Beyond Hell's Gate' was comprised of vocalist-Keith Miles, guitarist-Bill Menchen, bassist-Rod Reasner, and drummer-Chris Lattimer.
The track-list for 'Beyond Hell's Gate' includes: Side A - Act 1 1.Beyond Hell's Gate 2.Baptized in Blood 3.Are You Ready? 4.No Time to Die 5.Soldier of Compromise Side B - Act 2 6.Close to Deliverance 7.:45 Scream 8.Thrown in the Fire 9.War Cry 10.Don't Run Away.
The track-list for 'Beyond Hell's Gate' includes: Side A - Act 1 1.Beyond Hell's Gate 2.Baptized in Blood 3.Are You Ready? 4.No Time to Die 5.Soldier of Compromise Side B - Act 2 6.Close to Deliverance 7.:45 Scream 8.Thrown in the Fire 9.War Cry 10.Don't Run Away.
In 2005 Final Axe's 'Beyond Hell's Gate' debut cassette album was re-mastered & re-issued by Retroactive Records on CD format. This reissue was a special edition that was limited to 1000 CD copies. The original recordings were re-mixed & re-mastered at Twin Blade Studios and distributed by Brutal Planet Distribution.
The band's line-up for 'Beyond Hell's Gate' was comprised of vocalist-Keith Miles, guitarist-Bill Menchen,
bassist-Rod Reasner, and drummer-Chris Lattimer. The track-list for 'Beyond Hell's Gate' includes 1.Baptized In Blood 2.Are You Ready? 3.No Time To Die 4.Soldier Of Compromise 5.Blind Faith 6.Close To Deliverance 7.Thrown In The Fire 8.Don't Run Away 9.War Cry 10.Rated X.
The band's line-up for 'Beyond Hell's Gate' was comprised of vocalist-Keith Miles, guitarist-Bill Menchen,
bassist-Rod Reasner, and drummer-Chris Lattimer. The track-list for 'Beyond Hell's Gate' includes 1.Baptized In Blood 2.Are You Ready? 3.No Time To Die 4.Soldier Of Compromise 5.Blind Faith 6.Close To Deliverance 7.Thrown In The Fire 8.Don't Run Away 9.War Cry 10.Rated X.
After the release of their 1989 debut, Final Axe returned to the studios to record a follow-up album titled 'The Axe of the Apostles'. Tracks for the album were originally recorded in 1990 but the recording processes went unfinished and the album was never published. However, in 2006 Retroactive Records came to the rescue and was able to work with the band to bring this hidden treasure up from the catacombs. Original members Keith Miles & Bill Menchen returned to the studio along with drummer-Robert Sweet(Stryper) to record the additional parts needed to finish the original recordings. The recordings were then re-mixed and re-mastered by Rob Colwell of Bombworks Sound in order to bring this album to life.
This sophomore release finds the band laying down their original Heavy Metal tomahawks and picking up a more war-hardened axe from the Thrash Metal realm. Yes, with their 1990 follow-up recording, the band has sailed deep into Thrash Metal territory. This is a solid project that is sure to please fans of Grave Digger, Detritus, Eternal Decision, Thresher, and Grave Forsaken.
The track-list for 'The Axe Of The Apostles' includes 1.Heads Will Roll 2.Burn In Hell 3.Ball And Chain 4.Hangin' By A Thread 5.Dealing With Death 6.Vengeance Is Mine 7.Slaves 8.Metal Missionaries 9.We're Not Heroes 10. Worlds Away.
This sophomore release finds the band laying down their original Heavy Metal tomahawks and picking up a more war-hardened axe from the Thrash Metal realm. Yes, with their 1990 follow-up recording, the band has sailed deep into Thrash Metal territory. This is a solid project that is sure to please fans of Grave Digger, Detritus, Eternal Decision, Thresher, and Grave Forsaken.
The track-list for 'The Axe Of The Apostles' includes 1.Heads Will Roll 2.Burn In Hell 3.Ball And Chain 4.Hangin' By A Thread 5.Dealing With Death 6.Vengeance Is Mine 7.Slaves 8.Metal Missionaries 9.We're Not Heroes 10. Worlds Away.
Lyrics are thought provoking as one can see in the following excerpts:
"Heads will Roll"
The smell of death in the air cause the children to grieve
Cry a river of tears but you still won't believe
Close your eyes to the world pretend it's all just a game
As it darkens your mind do you know who's to blame?
When will you learn?
Heads will roll heads will roll
As the cities melt away and flames fill the sky
You'll give up your life but are you ready to die?
Another head put in place as the blade cuts the bone
Do you realize it now how close you were to home?
"Burn in Hell"
Decayed and mangled flesh we'll tear it from the bone
You'll burn with the rest so far from home
No tears to cry for you too late for you
'Cause you're the one who knew our gods chosen lamb
Before the throne each one stands alone
There's no more time for you
He showed the world the love he had
What more could he do?
So burn in hell burn in hell
I hope the screams of pain echo in your ears
When your bound and chained for a thousand years
Released upon the land who will you deceive?
His mark on your hand it's too late to believe
"Ball and Chain"
These prison walls keep closing in
This chain grows longer as I continue in sin
Link by link yard by yard can't ya see the scars?
Tonight I'll change oh please believe
The ball and chain oh yeah!
This ball and chain
"Vengeance is Mine"
Do they laugh when you cry?
And do they make you feel alone?
Can you have peace inside?
Well, only if you've known
Messiah Savior Jesus creator
Spirit healer righteous redeemer
Vengeance is mine holy and divine (4x)
Messiah Savior my Jesus creator
Spirit healer righteous redeemer
"Metal Missionaries"
Shut the lid and pound another nail
There'll come a time when men's hearts fail
Put in ground and say your prayers
Men go to hell but you don't care
Just set the lights and say your lines
And pray to God, you'll have time
To face the crowds who scream your name
I hope to God, you'll end this game
Oh how I wanna believe in Metal missionaries,
But when you deceive you're not true Metal missionaries (3x)
Metal missionaries
The smell of death in the air cause the children to grieve
Cry a river of tears but you still won't believe
Close your eyes to the world pretend it's all just a game
As it darkens your mind do you know who's to blame?
When will you learn?
Heads will roll heads will roll
As the cities melt away and flames fill the sky
You'll give up your life but are you ready to die?
Another head put in place as the blade cuts the bone
Do you realize it now how close you were to home?
"Burn in Hell"
Decayed and mangled flesh we'll tear it from the bone
You'll burn with the rest so far from home
No tears to cry for you too late for you
'Cause you're the one who knew our gods chosen lamb
Before the throne each one stands alone
There's no more time for you
He showed the world the love he had
What more could he do?
So burn in hell burn in hell
I hope the screams of pain echo in your ears
When your bound and chained for a thousand years
Released upon the land who will you deceive?
His mark on your hand it's too late to believe
"Ball and Chain"
These prison walls keep closing in
This chain grows longer as I continue in sin
Link by link yard by yard can't ya see the scars?
Tonight I'll change oh please believe
The ball and chain oh yeah!
This ball and chain
"Vengeance is Mine"
Do they laugh when you cry?
And do they make you feel alone?
Can you have peace inside?
Well, only if you've known
Messiah Savior Jesus creator
Spirit healer righteous redeemer
Vengeance is mine holy and divine (4x)
Messiah Savior my Jesus creator
Spirit healer righteous redeemer
"Metal Missionaries"
Shut the lid and pound another nail
There'll come a time when men's hearts fail
Put in ground and say your prayers
Men go to hell but you don't care
Just set the lights and say your lines
And pray to God, you'll have time
To face the crowds who scream your name
I hope to God, you'll end this game
Oh how I wanna believe in Metal missionaries,
But when you deceive you're not true Metal missionaries (3x)
Metal missionaries
In 2010 the band released a collection album titled 'Beyond Hell's Gate' on Retroactive Records. This 2010 Collector's Edition features stunning new artwork, while the music has been remixed, remastered, and partially re-recorded. The band's line-up for 'Beyond Hell's Gate' was comprised of vocalist-Keith Miles, guitarist-Bill Menchen, bassist-Rod Reasner, and drummer-Robert Sweet(Stryper).
The track-list for this 2010 collection includes tracks from the band's 2005 reissue along with several additional instrumentals. The track-list includes 1.Beyond the Gate (Instrumental) 2.Baptized in Blood 3.Are You Ready? 4.No Time to Die 5.Soldier of Compromise 6.Blind Faith 7.Area 51 (Instrumental) 8.Close to Deliverance
9.Thrown in the Fire 10.Don’t Run Away 11.War Cry 12.Rated X 13.Eternity (Instrumental).
The track-list for this 2010 collection includes tracks from the band's 2005 reissue along with several additional instrumentals. The track-list includes 1.Beyond the Gate (Instrumental) 2.Baptized in Blood 3.Are You Ready? 4.No Time to Die 5.Soldier of Compromise 6.Blind Faith 7.Area 51 (Instrumental) 8.Close to Deliverance
9.Thrown in the Fire 10.Don’t Run Away 11.War Cry 12.Rated X 13.Eternity (Instrumental).
If you are looking for some solid Heavy Metal/Thrash in the veins of Exciter, Grave Digger, Detritus, Eternal Decision, Thresher, and Grave Forsaken then you are going to love what Final Axe brings to the table. Pick up some of Final Axe's offerings today and help support Christian Metal music!
Purchases can be made at any of the following links:
Musicians:
Keith Miles - Lead Vocals
Bill Menchen - Guitars
Rod Reasner - Bass
Chris Lattimer - Drums
Keith Miles - Lead Vocals
Bill Menchen - Guitars
Rod Reasner - Bass
Chris Lattimer - Drums