[.ca] Twenty Years from Home 1977-1997: Best of Axe, Vol. 1

Blast from the past:
These songs were re-recorded in 1997 with a new lead singer Bob Harris. The original lead singer Bobby Barth is NOT dead, as one reviewer stated. He's now singing back up vocals for the most part and of course playing lead guitar. Two of their original albums are now available on CD, Offering and Nemesis. This CD is very good but the originals with Bobby Barth on vocals are better.

long lost great rock and roll:
I love these songs. I do not like the re-recordings. I think the story of why goes like this: Original singer--Dead. Original master tapes--Lost. So, in order to get the music out, the band had to re do it. Not as good as the original, but it will do. ****This is me standing corrected. It was not Bobby Barth, but Mike Osbourne ( the other guitarist, I BELIEVE) who was killed. Either way, Death derailed a GREAT band.***********

Re-recordings but ok:
Well, when I got the cd I was a lot dissapointed when I opened the case and read "ALL songs recorded march april may 1997". Why can't Ladies and Gentlemen of record labels re-release the original records on CDs? The inserts say that "were unable to work it out" Anyway, despite re-recordings the songs sound ok.

Forgotten Metal Sounds Great:
Always rembered their hit "Rock-n-Roll Party In the Streets" but could never find it on CD. Well the guys in the band have come back and re-recorded thier stuff with a vengence. Don't let the fact that they're re-recording thier old songs scare you off. Most of the tracks are smoking and sound better than when they were orginally recorded. A pleasant surprise that includes some guitar driven songs like "Running the Gauntlet", "Burn the City Down", and "Heat in the Streets". If you liked 80's metal but not the hair or the glam, give this a shot. While not every song will grab your interest, there is enough here make this a worthwile purchase.

Another Look At Old Friends:
In "Twenty Years From Home", Axe has reunited and done a re-recording of some of the best material from their four albums, along with two tracks from their most recent release "Axe Five". On the first pass, I was a little disappointed in the new remix, as it seemed that the songs seemed to be missing the "hard edge" that were so much a part of their music. However, upon further listening, I find that the changes in the songs have, in most cases, added to their impact. For example, the new, two-part vocals in "Heat In The Streets" make the story much more apparent and the lyrics are much clearer than they were originally. I do miss the soaring, high-note guitar riffs that were so much a part of the "Nemesis" album, but "20 Years..." reflect the band's artistic growth. "Twenty years..." is an excellent release from a group that has been missing in action for far too long. If the hard rock of the 80's is what you're looking for, this album is a must!

• Running the Gauntlet
• Burn the City Down
• All Through the Night
• First Time, Last Time
• Rock and Roll Party in the Streets
• Back on the Streets
• Life's Just an Illusion
• Forever
• Fantasy of Love
• Eagle Flies Alone
• Now or Never
• Heat in the Streets
• Livin' on the Edge
• Sting of the Rain (Bonus Track)
• Heroes and Legends (Bonus Track)