Another Victim

Mausoleum Records has been at the receiving end of criticism from many old schoolers for the acts they've supported being a bit behind the curve in terms of stylistic evolution. In all fairness, they did tend to favor second tier acts like Dark Wizard and Steeltower, alongside Exciter meets Accept styled speed metal outfits like Crossfire during a time when America and Germany were being hit with the early waves of the rising thrash metal tide. But it should be noted that while many of the acts signed during this Belgian label's original mid-80s run didn't rise to the levels of prominence that the heavy-hitters of the 80s tended to enjoy, there were a fair share of solid entries that ended up going under the proverbial radar during the heyday of heavy metal, among them a fairly competent, and often overlooked quintet from Wuppertal, Germany with a truly kick-ass name in Axe Victims.

In many ways this outfit's stand-alone debut LP Another Victim is a study in how a generic 80s heavy metal album can reach a respectable degree of potency. The influences from their fatherland's principle metal export of the day Accept are all over things, from their crunchy guitar riffs after the spirit of Herman Frank's recent tenure with said fold, to the generally AC/DC-like simplicity by which they approach their songwriting. In fact, the guitar showcase put on by Roland Hag and Tom Bohn (R.I.P.) is a bit understated, leaning closer to a metal answer to the bare bones approach of Malcolm and Angus Young than Accept's various guitarists up until 1984 had done, ditto the generally safe character of the rhythm section. Overall, the sleazy vocal display of Frank "Fanfare" DiSanto is the only consistent source of flash and intrigue amid an almost contrived metallic display.

Much of what occurs here rests comfortably in a mid-paced, rocking groove that places a primary emphasis on infectious hooks and a rock solid metallic air. Even the lone speed metal exception to this rule and opener "Shoot From The Stars" plays it pretty safe in terms of sectional development, following a strict verse to chorus structure that is almost too easy to follow, and features a lead guitar display that comes off as almost too safe, with a repeated fill during the chorus section that almost sounds like it was copied and pasted. The slow-paced crunch of "Heartbreaker" sports a primary riff that's dangerously close to Ted Nugent's "Cat Scratch Fever", though it otherwise sticks pretty close to an early 80s Judas Priest vibe, ditto the slightly more upbeat "Can't Stand It". One can't help but notice the less than subtle nod to Iron Maiden's "22 Acacia Avenue" going on at a slightly slower pace on "For The Ladies".

But for what this album may lack in originality, it largely compensates for with a combination of enthusiasm and a reasonably polished sound by 1984 standards. Some of the latter half of the album sees things getting a bit less contrived, with the album's highlight moments being found in the gallop-happy and dueling guitar harmony presentation out of the UFO playbook "Young And Wise" and the shuffling stomp with a slightly heavier character "I've Got The Power". But even the sappiest moments like the happy-go-lucky Twisted Sister-inspired "Soldier Of Life" have a certain charm to them that can't be denied. It's a band that doesn't quite have the powerful edge of Stormwitch, nor the irresistable hooks of Gravestone, let alone the towering total package that came with heavy-hitters like Krokus and Accept, but they had all of the same basic elements and, though they tragically never released a follow up (though one was supposedly recorded), put together something that fans of any and all of said iconic 80s bands could enjoy.

Axe Victims have a rad name and only released this quality LP before fleeing into oblivion. This is straightforward German heavy metal in the vein of Gravestone - though not having the more refined, smoother and more powery sound of that act. These guys have a sound similar to bands like Stormwitch, Trance, Krokus and Faithful Breath at times. Another Victim thing is pretty decent and worth a listen or two, but won’t blow you away perhaps to quite the of Gravestone or Brainfever. Mostly this one is a mixed bag of decent and “meh” tracks with some anthemic qualities.

Your opening track ‘Shoot from the Stars’ kicks things off fairly decently, in much the same vein as Gravestone, though I can’t help but think the track is missing something? Vocal layers, squealing solos, samples – something. ‘Heartbreaker’ tackles all too common lyrical themes, and is also a bit on the repetitive side – either way, this isn’t horrible like Sad Iron or something, and is similar in sound to Gravestone’s slower numbers or Krokus. ‘For the Ladies’ doesn’t exactly feature great riffs for the most part, but has a certain catchy sorta quality to it. Chorus chants are put to good use, while the tone of guitars is quite cool. This one has a neat melodic poppy metal feel to it that makes it stand out a bit. Elsewhere ‘Man of the Dark’ sounds like a slow pounding Accept number, and with it’s title, reminds of the hilarious ‘Nightman’ written by Charlie (It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia). ‘Young & Wise’ is pretty cool anthem, on the other hand.

Overall this one is a bit of a mixed bag; the whole thing is listenable for sure, but it isn’t really an standout effort – just decent, passable quality heavy metal – not really anything more. While there’s some strong moments, and everything is pretty much above board, a few of the tracks like ‘Can’t Stand It’ and ‘Man of the Dark’ just feel a little too run-of-the-mill at times; decent – but fairly pedestrian. If you’re into the Germanic metal like Gravestone, Stormwitch, Stainless Steel, Trance, Faithful Breath, then sure – this is fine, but if you’re after a heavy metal album with any real flare and originality, then this is isn’t priorité première, but it does rock.


-DeathRiderDoom