Bio | Axemaster

AXEMASTER BIOGRAPHY

Axemaster was formed in 1985 by lead guitarist Joe Sims. The project and music has stood the test of time and remains strong after over 35 years.

With the band's original lineup they recorded their first 4 releases: "Slave to the Blade" (demo EP cassette), "Blessing in the Skies" (full length album), "The Vision" (shaped picture disc single), and "Crusades" (shaped picture disc single), the last 3 being released by Azra International Records. They were also featured on Azra Record's compilation shaped picture record "Metalgon" and in the comedy/horror movie "Killer Nerd".

Several lineup changes followed as the band recorded their next 2 releases: "Death Before Dishonor" (full length cassette, European-only release) and "5 Demons (Imperative is their Demise)" (self-released EP cassette). Joe Sims is the only original member to remain and play on every release. After this the band altered their musical direction and changed the name to The Awakening.

Four years later, Unisound Records {Greece} re-issued selected songs from 4 of the band’s releases (as well as 3 songs by The Awakening) on a CD titled "Axemaster & The Awakening, 1985-1995". In 2002 Unisound re-released "Death Before Dishonor" (as well as some unreleased material) on CD. The success of these discs proved that Axemaster's music remained in demand although the band had been inactive for several years.

The band's original lineup briefly re-united in 2007 and re-released "Blessing in the Skies" on disc through Burning Star Records {Greece}. The reunion was short-lived however, and the remaining members moved on to do a studio project under the name Inner Terror.

Joe Sims brought the Axemaster brand back to active status in 2010; and in 2014, the "new" Axemaster signed a worldwide record and publishing deal with Pure Steel Records. A year later, Pure Steel released the band's first album of new material in over 20 years: "Overture to Madness". After a year of shows in support of "Overture", the band hit the studio in 2016 to record the album "Crawling Chaos" which Pure Steel released in late 2017. These albums illustrate the band's evolution while still and always paying respect to their metal roots.

Shortly in advance of releasing "Crawling Chaos", Pure Steel also released a re-mastered collection of the band's material from the 80's and early 90's as a collectible vinyl 2 record set (19 songs) titled "Blessing in the Skies (and other cuts from the Chamber)".

While the the band was busy recording a new album in 2022, Flynn Records (Italy) re-released a mastered version of the band's first demo, "Slave to the Blade", on vinyl.

In 2025, Axemaster signed a deal with Cosmic Fire Records (Greece) to release their new album titled “Of Beasts and Plagues” which came out in June of 2026. The album has received critical acclaim and has gained the band more exposure and has reached more fans than any previous Axemaster albums had within the first 6 months of their being released.

Axemaster's unique blend of styles has proven to be a combination that appeals to not only metal fans from 3 different generations, but has shown excellent cross-genre fan appeal as well. This, coupled with the large amount of worldwide exposure they have received over the years and the band's resolve to keep moving forward, gives cause to expect that Axemaster will continue to achieve greater success in the future!

CONTACT
624 South Chestnut Street
Ravenna, Ohio 44266
USA

axemaster@axemasterofficial.com

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61570312266756
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Axemastergroup/
https://x.com/Axemastermetal
https://www.youtube.com/user/axemasterofficial

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BAND MEMBERS
Geoff McGraw - Vocals
Joe Sims - Lead Guitar
Jenson Kozar - Bass
Adam Windisch - Drums
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INFLUENCES
(early) Metallica - Black Sabbath/Heaven & Hell
Iron Maiden - (early) Savatage - Slayer - King Diamond
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FORMER MEMBERS
Christopher Michael (Vocals-Bass) - Brian Henderson (Drums)
Eric Lynch (Vocals) - Jimmy Newcomb (Bass)
Terry Wilson (Vocals) - Matt Smolk (Drums)
Jim Curtis (Bass) - Damin Bennett (Lead Guitar)
Denny Archer (Drums) - Chris Longstreet (bass)
Craig Gribben (Drums) - Scott Eicher (Lead Guitar)