Self-titled debut album out on March 6th!
Forged across state lines and fueled by sheer riff worship, AXE DRAGGER is the true supergroup heavy metal has been waiting for. Born from the long-distance communion of Fu Manchu guitarist Bob Balch and ex-Pentagram drummer Pete Campbell, the project achieved legendary status with the additions of original Pantera vocalist Terry Glaze and Dark Funeral bassist Fredrik Isaksson.
Soaked in the soaring 80s metal spirit of titans like Riot, Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Dio and Armored Saint, and adorned with modern weight and production, their self-titled debut album is a timeless, earth-shaking beast, meticulously crafted crash by crash over a relentless year. AXE DRAGGER reloads the golden age of heavy metal in legendary fashion, staging a full-blown takeover of all headbangers’ stereos worldwide. Prepare for the next heavy metal classic!
AXE DRAGGER began as a long-distance collaboration between guitarist Bob Balch (Fu Manchu, Slower) and drummer Pete Campbell (ex-Pentagram). Bob would send over riffs, Pete would lay down drums, and before long, things started to take shape. The project leveled up when legendary vocalist Terry Glaze (ex-Pantera) and bassist Fredrik Isaksson (Dark Funeral) joined the fold. Over the course of a year, songs slowly but relentlessly came together—built riff by riff, crash by crash— until it became clear they had a full-blown band on their hands. The result is a debut album soaked in the spirit of early ’80s heavy metal with modern weight and grit.
About the genesis of the band, guitarist Bob Balch says: “I’d been in touch with drummer Pete Campbell for a while about trading riffs, drum beats, and ideas. I’ve also been teaching a student over FaceTime for a couple of years who wants to learn old Riot, Judas Priest, and DIO—and that really lit a fire under me to start writing an old-school heavy metal project. So Pete and I started sending riffs and beats back and forth, and once we had a few solid tunes, we brought in vocalist Terry Glaze and bassist Fredrik Isaksson. The first song Terry sent back was “Axe Dragger” and Pete and I completely lost our minds. From there, we were all fired up, and over the course of a year, we put together this record. It’s a pure reflection of early ’80s heavy metal—and I hope you dig it. For the guitar geeks out there, this record is loaded with harmonic minor modes à la Powerslave-era Iron Maiden!”
https://www.facebook.com/p/Axe-Dragger-61575543001388/
https://www.instagram.com/axe_dragger/
