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CRUEL FORCE
Dawn Of The Axe

Shadow Kingdom (2023)
Rating: 8/10

Emerging from swirling mists, German cult Cruel Force releases its third full-length album. If you’ve been fortunate enough to see the music video for the song ‘At The Dawn Of The Axe’ then you’ll no doubt appreciate the Brocas Helm-cum-Venom vibe these archaic rockers give off. Early-to-mid 80s black leather speed metal is the rage here as the crusty combo straddles columns of pink fog which are swiped away by their studded wristbands.

If they weren’t accomplished musicians you might mistake the whole drama for Spın̈al Tap or Bad News, but as it is album number three from Cruel Force this is a fire-breathing belter. The aforementioned ‘At The Dawn Of The Axe’ rattles like a leftover from the brilliant Speed Kills compilations as it coughs up dry fumes of Slayer, Bulldozer, Overkill, Razor and Destruction. ‘Night Of Thunder’ rips with similar enthusiasm due to the breakneck pounding of caveman GG Alex.

The vocals of Carnivore are pure throwback chops which take songs like ‘Devil’s Dungeon’, ‘Across The Styx’ and ‘Power Surge’ into the darkest depths where the rest of the band rages like an unholy mix of Hallows Eve, Exciter and the more obvious Venom.

There’s nothing remotely clever about Cruel Force, they just love to live up to their moniker by delivering smoking hot metal music dripping with catchy riffs and stinking of well worn leather, and let’s not even talk about the sideburns and moustaches!

Neil Arnold

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