Chris’ Review:

Not many bands can say they’ve kept as high a standard as Converge for four albums over eight years. The kind of hype and worship that followed 2001’s Jane Doe threatened to doom any attempt at a follow up, but 2004’s You Fail Me revealed a band with an incredibly clear vision and ability to harness the power of sound. For all the noteworthiness of Jane Doe, to my ears it’s You Fail Me that will stand as a timeless album.

And so it was 2006’s No Heroes that failed me; but only in that it didn’t continue to raise the bar impossibly high. No Heroes is also a great album; its main problem is that it’s almost too similar to You Fail Me.

Thus we come to 2009 and Converge still hasn’t hung it up, but have they dried up? As far as writing absolutely blistering hardcore, no. Axe To Fall opens with songs on par with some of the band’s best speed tracks. I’m scared to drive while listening to the album because I’m sure to careen off a cliff while air-drumming to the breakdown of the title track. Kurt Ballou’s guitar sound is one of my favorites of all time, almost worth the price of admission alone.

In addition to those excellent qualities we expect from a Converge album, Axe To Fall comes with some guest appearances, and nothing says “low on ideas” like “guest artist.” Despite the heavy collaboration with other artists mentioned in interviews, the album comes out sounding pretty Convergey. The extra artists are integrated tastefully, perhaps the one exception being the piano ditty “Cruel Bloom” with Neurosis’ Steve von Till that reminds me too much of Tom Waits. It’s not awful, it just doesn’t fit very well.

As much as a Converge album could ever be described as ‘fun’, Axe To Fall comes close. Fans of Converge have nothing to fear, and those unfamiliar with the band have some catching up to do.

Chris’ Rating:

King says: “Did I not make it clear I was available for guest appearances? Does anyone read my memos?”

Justin’s Review:

Ah Converge… the fine wine of the hardcore world.

In honor of their 2009 vintage, I present you a vino review (minus the booze-talk) that pretty much sums things up…

The _____ is dark, viscous and complex, slowly revealing its richness.  The opening is intense with _____, _____ followed by _____.  Further _____ reveals pronounced _____ of _____, _____, and slightly _____ nuances.

 

Obviously very _____, the feel of this _____ is nevertheless rich, robust and created for longevity.  The _____ is full with well-structured _____ and balanced _____ leading to a long, firm finish.

 

Few pairings in the world are as utterly seamless as _____ and _____.  When paired with _____ in a _____, the _____ was little short of magical.  This impeccably made _____ should provide enjoyment over the next _____ years.”

Remember folks… don’t _____ and drive.

(…and respect the X)

Justin’s Rating:

King says: “I still prefer their 2004 vintage, but the 2001, 2006 & 2009 will satisfy most any palate.”

Converge – “Axe to Fall”