Fireaxe - "A Dream of Death"

Brian Voth, the only real musician behind Fireaxe (the rest is just a bunch of drum computers and effects), is a bitter and disillusioned man. On his web site he rants on for pages about 'being punished for his ideas and challenging the status quo' and other complaints.

Brian describes Fireaxe as 'power/progressive metal, and has elements of doom metal, (blimey !) hard rock and even jazz. Influences include King Diamond, Judas Priest and Metallica among countless others.' Though I certainly think Brian is right about the first two (bands I never liked, by the way), I find it very hard to find any Metallica in his work.

Brian is not looking for a record deal but wants to deliver his music in a 'pure manner' to the listener. According to Brian, the traditional method of delivering music would require a heavy commitment of time and money without a guarantee of success. Brian goes on describing the current musical industry as 'cutthroat business'. 'Merely producing good quality music is no guarantee that an artist will receive anything more than local attention and admiration. Without a recording contract it is difficult for an artist to pay the bills. (...) Bands which appear profitable will be signed more readily than those which will only appeal to niche markets. Thus, the music industry tends to follow a herd mentality, concentrating on what is currently popular and profitable and milking that style until the next big thing comes along.' Did I hear someone say Spice Girls ?

Brian clearly figured out the way of today's music business (haven't we all ?) and therefore decided to put out a CD on his own. His album was recorded entirely in an apartment room (Brian's neighbours must love him) on a Yamaha 8 track cassette recorder. After mixing and digitization in a studio, CDs and booklets were duplicated using PCs.

As Brian wrote, the purpose of Fireaxe is to express the emotions of its creator, no more no less. (...) It means more to [me] to have a single person enjoy his music to the fullest than have a million of people think that it is merely 'cool'. If only one person likes Fireaxe, but that person is deeply moved, then I consider Fireaxe to be a success. Not really a personal crusade if you ask me and quite a blunt statement if you write elsewhere that Fireaxe is a culmination of fourteen years of hard work; quite a lot to make just one person happy.

So far I could agree with Brian, even though I have a hard time taking a man who calls his guitar 'The Instrument of Doom' and says he's the 'Forgotten Son' serious. When he starts describing his CD as 'I think the sound on "A Dream of Death" rivals that of professionally recorded CDs', I clearly have to disagree. His CD might well be the worst production I have ever heard! Everything sounds flat and one-dimensional and synthetic. As far as the msuic is concerned, it's just one big flow of distorted speed metal guitar, tasteless computer drumming and Brian's awful vocals (which indeed sound a bit like Judas Priest and King Diamond; those guys couldn't sing either, they only screamed).

A Dream of Death is a full length concept album about a person torn apart by the beauty of his dreams and the ugliness of reality. The actual story is clearly the product of a depresssed mind and the lyrics fit the genre prejudice perfectly, if you know what I mean.

I think you get the impression by now that I did not like Brian's music ? Good. Is there nothing good to be found then ? Well, actually there is. I really have to compliment Brian on the great thing he pulled of without the help of a record company. The music might not be something to write home about, but the packaging is quite beatiful, on quality paper, as is the label on the CD.
Though I'm not convinced by Brian's talents as a singer I must admit that he is quite a talented composer. Some of the melodies, vocal lines and song structures are quite impressive. Maybe Brian should team up with another band and compose material for them.

This CD might be nice for the Beavis and Buthead population visiting these pages (we hope that's not many) but most of you probably couldn't care less about Brian's world vision. On the other hand, Brian sells copies of his CD quite cheaply through his Web Site, so if you like to give him the benefit of the doubt ....

Brian asked us to give his CD to someone who would like it, if we didn't like it ourselves, and we will. The first person who reads this review, visits Brian's Web site and e-mails me the name and author of the poem which inspired Brian's musical efforts, will get our promo copy.

Conculsion: 4.5 out of 10, most of which is earned because Brian does show the ability to compose some good stuff and out of respect for the work he did on his own.

Ed Sander