Artist: Axemaster
Label: Cosmic Fire Records
UPC: N/A
Genre: Heavy Metal
Release Date: 6/19/2026

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AXEMASTER is an all original metal band (recording artist) that combines elements oftraditional, doom, and thrash metal to create a distinctive sound. The band has a long and established history that spans 3 decades and includes 11 official releases on 4 different international labels, and has had music included on several compilations as well as in 2 movies.

Between 85 and 87. the band's original lineup recorded their first 4 releases, the last 3 being released by Azra International Records. They were also featured on Azra Record's compilation shaped picture record "Metalgon" and in the comedy/horror movie "Killer Nerd". After subsequent lineup changes. from 88-91 the band had 2 additional releases before altering their musical direction and changing the band name to The Awakening. However, during the band's inactivity from 1995 to 2010, 3 CDs of re-releases from the band's past material were put out by Unisound Records (2) and Burning Star Records (both from Greece). These CDs were invaluable in keeping the Axemaster name alive and relevant during the period that the band was inactive.

Joe Sims brought the Axemaster brand back to active status in 2010; and in 2014, the "new" Axemaster signed a worldwide record and publishing deal with Pure Steel Records. A year later, Pure Steel released the band's first album of new material in over 20 years: "Overture to Madness". After a year of shows in support of "Overture", the band hit the studio in 2016 to record their most current album "Crawling Chaos" which Pure Steel released in late 2017. These albums illustrate the band's evolution while still and always paying respect to their metal roots.

Shortly in advance of releasing "Crawling Chaos", Pure Steel released a re-mastered collection of the band's material from the 80's and early 90's as a collectible vinyl 2 record set (19 songs) titled "Blessing in the Skies (and other cuts from the Chamber)".

During the Covid lockdown in 2020, Joe Sims began in earnest to write and record the guitar for a new album. Then in 2022, while the rest of the band was busy recording the album, Flynn Records (Italy) re-released the band's first demo, "Slave to the Blade", on vinyl. At the current time, the new album ("Of Beasts and Plagues") has been entirely completed and has exceeded everyone's expectations in every way. The band is now shopping it to labels and considering all options for the album's release.

Since the release of "Overture", the band has performed with such acts as Sebastian Bach, Grim Reaper, Riot, Cloven Hoof, 7 Witches, Halloween and Vicious Rumors; and among the festivals they have played include Ragnarokkr Metal Apocalypse (Chicago), Hollowfest (Delaware {twice}, & Cleveland), The Pure Steel Fest (Detroit), and The Pure Steel Metal Fest (Cleveland). Furthermore, the band's material has been played regularly on radio stations internationally since 1986, and during that span of time has been featured in thousands of publications/websites worldwide; among which include "Metal Hammer", "Rock Hard", "True Metal Lives", "Hard Rocker", "Heavy Metal Pages", and "Break Out".

Axemaster's unique blend of styles has proven to be a combination that appeals to 2 different generations of not only metal fans, but has shown excellent cross-genre fan appeal as well. All of which has helped to allow the band to stand the test of time and remain strong after over 30 years.