Here's a rockin' tape from Keith Miles and company. You might remember Keith from the band Holy Right...or you may know him as the promoter for the Metal Midnight concerts. Here's a 10-song, full-length tape and cd complete with nice four-color artwork and solid production and fidelity. The title track starts this album off with choruses of screams in an eerie movie soundtrack-type instrumental. Guitars kick in and scream for "Baptized in Blood", which carries a cool riff courtesy of guitarist Bill Menchen. The standout cut would probably be the thrashin' tune "Close to Deliverance". It's not as fast as lots of speed metal, but it flies nevertheless. Keith's vocals work well with this style of music. ":45 Scream" is a guitar solo, which has the guitar tones that are featured throughout the album. I'm reminded of Molly Hatchet's double guitar sound. A rare addition in the lyrics printed here are several scripture references inserted in specific parts of the songs. Here's an example in "No Time to Die": "It's time for war, so take your sword in hand (Eph. 6:17)/ The beast is dead, his blood is running red (Rom. 16:20)/ Your time is short, what have you done? (James 4:14)/ You've played a game, can you tell me who's to blame? (Rev. 21:8)." Overall, this is a tight band, but the vocals sound a little raw for the upfront hooks written into the songs, which keeps the band from being as commercially viable as they could be. I think they've found their niche in the one thrashy tune, "Close to Deliverance". To order, send $7 for the cassette or $12 for the cd (plus $1.50 handling) to: Final Axe, PO Box 520, Mira Loma CA 91752-0520.