Since the release of their magnum opus Jane Doe back in 2001, Converge have crafted a singular metalcore sound that is frightening, ferocious, and intense.  A formula they have experimented with and improved upon on follow-ups, You Fail Me and No Heroes.  Throughout the course of the decade, they have added sludgy, abstract metal and hardcore to the mix, while never succumbing to the watered down prog excess many of their peers have.  Axe to Fall is perhaps their most powerful work since Jane Doe, and a fitting way to cap of an amazing run of four essential albums within the course of eight years.

Although they have always been a technically adept band, Converge have kept their sound down to earth.  Their work still sounds like music made by real human beings.  Ironically, the album begins with one of the most progressive riffs guitar mastermind Kurt Ballou has laid to record on “Dark Horse.”  The band never fails to lose track of the plot though, sounding just as visceral as ever.  Ben Koller’s drumming has always been complex and inventive, yet has never sounded better than it does here such as on tracks like “Effigy”, which is a barrel storm of percussion.  They might be a hardcore punk band at heart that plays “loud and fast”, but Converge have become adept at writing slower, doom laden songs.  This is showcased on “Worms Will Feed/Rats Will Feast”, where Jacob Bannon distinct scream sounds like nails on a chalkboard.  For his worth, Bannon’s vocals may be incomprehensible shrieking (which is a shame since he can pen some beautiful lyrics at time), but only enhance the sonic terror the rest of the band is unleashing.   For the first time in their career, the band has enlisted the help of guest musicians to aid in the album.  Steve Von Till from Neurosis turns “Cruel Bloom” into a Tom Waits murder ballad, creating what is the most oddball track in their discography.  The only place where the album falters is on last track, “Wretched World.”  Converge have the tendency to place one extended epic track on each of their last three albums (with pretty good success) and “Wretched World” is this record’s.  Despite guest vocals from Genghis Tron’s Mookie Singerman, the track goes on boringly for seven minutes, never building to the cathartic finale it seems to promise.  Axe to Fall proves that after being a band for nineteen years, Converge are still at the top of their game, continuing to incorporate new elements and hone a sound that is all theirs.