Customer Reviews

IV

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This gets 4 stars only because George is not here. Criston IS Kick Axe and I never really realized how much until I heard this album. The "Paradise" record sounds more like a Kick Axe record than this. Vic is a very competent singer but he doesn't have the range or the dynamics of George. There is nothing about Vic's voice that jumps out and grabs you. When you hear George, you KNOW it's George whereas Vic's style is just not mature or strong enough to have a flavor and personality all its own. Now, that being said, this is still a great record. The songwriting is more mature than the first 3 records... not as strong in a heavy sense, but more mature. The hooks and the melodies are there along with all the harmonies that one expects from this band (minus the George touch). It's refreshing to hear musicians that can play and have a great sense of melody and harmony, something that seems to be totally lacking in today's heavier music. I have to agree with the previous reviewer... definitely one of the best of 2004 if not THE best of the year.

My first listening to new Kick Axe album was full of expectations, but I have to say seriously I am not dissappointed. And after another listenings to the album I think that Kick Axe IV is album that is really worth purchasing. Kick Axe 2004 is very melodic hard rock with no weak points, catchy guitar riffs and melodies, the production is great, sound is impressive. My favourite tracks are "Right Now", "Rockin' Daze", "Consolation", "Who Knows Ya", "Do You Know", Slip Inside My Dream", "Rock'n'Roll Dog", "Time" and "City Lights". To compare Kick Axe 2004 with previous three albums I think this album is on the same quality level as 1984 "Vices". In my opinion Kick Axe IV is a great comeback and I give 5 stars out of 5. Kick Axe IV is music not only for Kick Axe fans, it is a music for all those who like good hard rockin' band. In my opinion this album is one of the best hard rock albums of 2004 year.

As a new fan of Kick Axe, I'm loving this album. It's the kind of music you can have play over and over again and have it grow on you. The opening riffs start my head going. It's rather infectious. Very well done. A fresh look at the old Kick Axe sound from the 80s has created an amazing new brand of rock. A return to the past with the return of Gary and yet a deviation into the future with a new twist to their sound. Time marches on. Very glad to see that Kick Axe has progressed with the times. As a fan, my collection of Kick Axe materials (which contains all previously recorded albums) keeps growing, but this latest acquisition is one of my favorites. I love Slip Inside My Dreams and The Only Ones Here. Definitely worth checking out.

I'd only just discovered Kick Axe a year or so ago, and I couldn't wait to hear IV when it came out. I was a bit skeptical since George Christon wasn't leading the band, he's the most unique singer I've heard since Freddie Mercury. He defined what Kick Axe's sound was and I couldn't imagine an album without him. To my surprise though, Gary Langen still rocks. In the first two tracks "Right Now" and "Rockin' Daze" he actually sounds a lot like Christon, and then somehow in "Woe" he sounds quite like Sting. He manages to give each song a unique sound.

As for the songs, in my opinion there's a few duds, mostly "Consolation" and "Who Knows Ya", but they're still better than anything any of today's rock "bands" are putting out. The first two tracks and "Rock and Roll Dog" wouldn't have sounded out of place on Welcome to the Club, and most the rest sound like the hard rock of Vices merged with the creativity and production values of Rock the World. Speaking of creativity, Kick Axe is second only to Queen in their ability to have so many sounds come out sounding as a unified melody. Only a few of the songs might jump out and grab you on the first listening, but leave this cd in your car and you'll soon find yourself hooked on the rest.

I give this album 5 stars, even though I was hoping for something more like Welcome to the Club, because the band accomplished exactly what they intended. It might be a bit of a leap for people who became Kick Axe fans because of the Transformers soundtrack (which is probably everyone outside Canada), but theres something for everyone on this album. I hope the next one's on the way.

For anyone who has not heard this album they are truly missing probably one of the best albums of the year. This band from Canada rocks. This CD would be a great addition to anyone's rock n roll collection. Twenty years ago this band from Canada released it's debut album called Vices which was a very successful album.

Now the band is back with their original singer Gary Langen, and ready to go back on the road to rock. For most people that have not seen Kick Axe live here is your oppurtunity to hear the bands new material before you see them live. Live they are a great act that I highly recommend to go and see.

I have seen them ever since the bands roots in 1976 and seen every version of the band since and look forward to seeing all of the original members of this great musical act from Canada.

WARNING. This is nothing like Vices. If you liked Vices, you will not like IV. Not sure why all these reviewers have given it five stars. It does not rock. It is boring. It is now a coaster.

Bryan Reesman's Metal Edge Top 10 ranking for 2004, published in the February 2005 issue that hits stands soon.
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The Top 10 of 2004
1. NIGHTWISH Once (Roadrunner)
2. LEAVES' EYES Lovelorn (Napalm)
3. LOSTPROPHETS Start Something (Columbia)
4. ASIA Silent Nation (InsideOut)
5. PAPA ROACH Getting Away With Murder (Geffen)
6. MICHAEL SADLER Clear (Prog Rock Records)
7. KICK AXE IV (Song Haus Music)
8. THE RASMUS Dead Letters (Interscope)
9. PENUMBRA Seclusion (Season of Mists)
10. TONY IOMMI and GLENN HUGHES The 1996 DEP Sessions (Sanctuary)