There’s no debate that the very foundations of the old school of rock and metal still play an immensely strong role in the scene that we find ourselves in the midst of today, yet there could definitely be a debate for how effective the bands of today are at keeping the actual old school sound alive as pure as it can be. It’s hard to do it at all with the real challenge, obviously, coming in at the simple attempt to actually make it good with hardly any managing to accomplish it in any significant form. Hands down, one of the more compelling names in modern times has to be Stone Axe. The tragedy of that reality, though, lies in the fact that Stone Axe has been inactive with their releases for over a decade, but it’s with this new creation that the skies have finally parted even if it’s only for a short while.

This has got to be one of those bands that once you discover them, you simply cannot help but want them to get back together for a string of albums to really show us what it’s like to celebrate 70s rock in such exquisite form that many others could only ever dream of bringing forth. Yet, anything new from Stone Axe is a reason to go out and celebrate in the streets with the collection of rarities that form “Stay of Execution” a boggling display of prowess and love for the sound that not only cannot be ignored in any form, I would defy any of you to not become all but intoxicated by the gripping talent that’s on full display for all eight of these tracks that coalesce into what surely has to already be named the old school creation of the year! This has to be the album for all occasions, virtually without exception. Whether it be in a dimly lit bar, a glorious drive with the windows down, or relaxing with your friends after a hard day’s work, the very whole of “Stay of Execution” is nothing to be fucked with. From its gorgeous riffs to the simple fact that there are no filler tracks for the whole of these 38 minutes, I cannot get over just how well Stone Axe achieved its humble goal to simply celebrate all that the old school ever was and still is in the ears and hearts of many with every given facet showing us just how much the world could use more Stone Axe at any given time. And, yet, I can’t help but feel like because there’s so little that we treasure it so much and if that’s what it means to love something with virtually no question then I think I’m okay with that.

The fact that the very name of Stone Axe isn’t a more widely spread name is damn near criminal in my mind, and I can only hope that it’s with the release of this album that such a tragedy might change at least a little bit. There is simply nothing that can go wrong once you step even just one toe into what “Stay of Execution” has to offer, and I can all but guarantee that it won’t be leaving your ears any time soon.

LISTEN to “Stay of Execution” on Bandcamp here.

LIKE Stone Axe on Facebook here.