Release Date: September 05th 2025. Record Label: This Charming Man Records. Formats: DD/Vinyl
Rambler’s Axe - Tracklisting
1.Heria
2.Demigod
3.Bastard Sword
4.Spheres
5.Hathol
6.Rambler's Axe
7.Owl Eyes
8.Serpentfolk Tyel
Review
Sludge/Stoner Metal bruisers PIECE return with their second full length album Rambler’s Axe which follows a similar destructive and aggressive path to the likes of CONAN, Mastodon, High On Fire and Firebreather but with a NOLA based intensity with shades of CROWBAR to keep things extra HEAVY. There’s a dramatic Progressive Metal sound here which also appeared on their acclaimed 2023 debut album Ancient Greed but PIECE add a richer, fuller and more diverse flavour to the mix which has a certain Spaced Out flavour when the time calls for this.
The record starts off in spectacular fashion with the opening track Heria which fuses High On Fire style riffage and creative themes inspired by CONAN though with PIECE still holding their own ground by putting their own great take on the Sludge/Stoner Metal sound. There’s a lot of psychedelic energy being generated but it’s more of a murky, distorted and drone based kind with a sadistic FUZZ movement that allows PIECE to suddenly change into a more action packed style of musical momentum.
Second track Demigod is a more subdued affair compared to the bombastic opening track though it’s still full on destructive CAVEMAN carnage with a welcome essence of Hardcore Metal and Punk Rock vibes that gives off a street level attitude that appears within the grizzled vocals and battle hardened lyrics. The final stages of the track has some intense complex musical melodies with a raw underground aesthetic that sees areas of Post-Doom and Post-Rock attitude suddenly starting to emerge from the shadows.
The instrumental playing on the record by PIECE is sublime with the band putting in a commanding performance throughout which allows the record to have quite a beautiful organic quality to it despite the world destroying and apocalyptic melodies being played around everything. PIECE confidently adds strands of ambient vibes and haunting soundbytes that adds quite a fantastical feel to the record with the listener essentially becoming part of the overall musical adventure which develops even further on tracks such as Bastard Sword, Spheres and Hathol.
The Hardcore and Punk Rock vibes is one of the main strengths of the record which allows the more dominant Doom, Sludge and Stoner grooves to develop into a more interesting style of Prog Metal, Psych and Cosmic surroundings that provides a rich level of storytelling as well. The second half of the record keeps up with the fast-paced narrative of the first half with PIECE never wavering from their overall mission of delivering brutal grooves that have a sense of pure melody and harmony.
Rambler’s Axe could be considered Post-Metal at times with the many instances of Psychedelic and Spaced Out pastures though what you can call this is simply an outstanding album that allows PIECE to avoid the dreaded second album / sophomore record curse with flying colours. This is a record that demands to be listened to by the biggest audience possible and it’s backed up by perfectly pitched production values.
PIECE have come on leaps and bounds since their 2023 debut album with Rambler’s Axe without doubt being the much better album and perhaps allowing the band to move onto bigger and better things.
Words by Steve Howe
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