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.

In 2010, Sims permanently re-launched Axemaster and over the next couple years, started work on a new album with a lineup that included the band's current vocalist Geoff McGraw. Then, in 2014, the band signed a worldwide recording and publishing deal with Pure Steel Records (Germany), and released the full length album "Overture to Madness" in the following year.

After taking a year to play shows in support of "Overture" and writing new material, Axemaster hit the studio in 2016 to record a new album ("Crawling Chaos") which was released by Pure Steel in late 2017.

"Crawling Chaos" includes 10 tracks with major label sound and the signature Axemaster style (a mix of traditional metal, doom metal, and thrash metal), that shows the band's evolution while still paying respect to their metal roots. The album has gotten rave reviews worldwide (both in webzines and on radio), which helps to affirm the general belief that it has all the elements necessary to become the most memorable Axemaster album to date.

Shortly in advance of the new album, Pure Steel re-released a collection of the band's material from the 80's and early 90's as a collectable vinyl 2 record set titled "Blessing in the Skies (and other cuts from the chamber)". The album includes all the material from "Blessing in the Skies" and "5 Demons", as well as several additional songs. All of the material was re-mastered which GREATLY improved the sound of all the tracks.

During the Covid lockdown in 2020, Joe Sims began in earnest to write and record the guitar for a new album. Then in 2022, while the rest of the band was busy recording the album, Flynn Records (Italy) re-released a mastered version of Axemaster's first demo, "Slave to the Blade", on vinyl. At the current time, the new album ("Of Beasts and Plagues") has been entirely completed and has exceeded everyone's expectations in every way. The band is now shopping it to labels and considering all options for the album's release.

Axemaster's unique blend of styles has proven to be a combination that appeals to metal fans from 2 different generations. 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)