Band:	Converge
Album:	Axe To Fall
Style:	Mathcore, Post-hardcore, Metalcore
Release date:	October 19, 2009
Guest review by:	Boxcar Willy

01. Dark Horse
02. Reap What You Sow
03. Axe To Fall
04. Effigy
05. Worms Will Feed
06. Wishing Well
07. Damages
08. Losing Battle
09. Dead Beat
10. Cutter
11. Slave Driver
12. Cruel Bloom
13. Wretched World

Converge has been around for a while, longer than I've been alive, so they know they don't have to beat around the bush. These guys play a mix of hard-core punk and metalcore that is absolutely delightful, with crazy riffs and shrieking vocals.

I actually downloaded this for my sister, believe it or not, as she is a fan of post-hardcore and hardcore punk, when it finished downloading I played the first track, just to see what it was like? Boy was I surprised, I actually enjoyed the music? I liked it a lot.

The bass and drum intro to the first track intrigued me, enough to give the entire album a listen. Upon further listening I found myself right in the middle of a headphone mosh, pushing and shoving imaginary scene kids in my room. This album consists of amazing guitar work, both in the high and the low range, with shredtastic mini-solos and crushing chorus breakdowns. The guitar backed by the drums makes a great combination; both are crazy technical and crazy fun to listen to.

One thing I noticed was that the vocals are like the bass in most other bands. No, they aren't deep and gurgling like some Finnish goregrind band, but they fade into the background; this I feel adds to the "full band" effect and you hear every instrument clearer than you would a normal album. The vocal work in particular isn't spectacular, but it sure as hell makes me want to headbang.

Overall, I was pleasantly surprised by this album, considering the stuff that my sister usually listens to.

Highlights- "Dark Horse" and "Effigy"