Album Review: Piece - Rambler’s Axe
Reviewed by Sam Jones
Piece was a surprise discovery of mine last year. Bringing forth a grime-ridden, sludge-infused sound reminiscent of High On Fire, Piece are an act k quickly became fond of and with a new album on the horizon it’s another opportunity for the band to widen their fanbase. Hailing from Berlin, Germany, Piece have been active from at least 2017 upon releasing their self-titled EP. Following that up with a Split and a Single, the band pile at last unleash their first full length, 2023’s Ancient Greed. This was a record I replayed incessantly. Only last year they revealed a Split with like-minded sludge/doom act Arsen which brings us to Piece now, on the edge of releasing their second album: Rambler’s Axe. With a Single teasing the upcoming record penned down for a September 5th release date and distributed through This Charming Man Records, i was keen to see what Piece brought to the table this time round.
You know that ghastly, howling sound one imagines after a thermonuclear device is dropped? Reverse that and you get the opening to this record, as Piece effectively turn back the clock from fallout to impact to eyeing the target above. As a result when the band begin in earnest it makes their sound much more profound as we’re shown the scope of firepower Piece have arrayed before us. In addition Piece’s songwriting isn’t the fastest, but it does have a scraping and gritty texture to it, therefore the riffs pick up strength and presence without needing to drill tempo into your mind. What’s more is how laid out the songwriting is for you; the band’s production may be lined with muck given their sludge identity but Piece still make sure you can follow the riffs and understand what the general backbone of a song sounds and feels like.
It certainly reinforces the magic Piece bring to heavy metal when they can give you a six minute track, considering their songwriting isn’t the fastest, yet you’ll never have a moment where you think it’s going too slow. I ascribe it to their High On Fire influences wherein what keeps you engaged is the tone, the crashing riffs and the pronounced, roaring vocals from afar. The band manage to be atmospheric without inherently adapting techniques that would outright label them as an atmospheric band; it’s simply good old fashioned heavy metal after a night on the town where vision becomes blurred, your words fall off your lips and inhibitions sway to the side. You become enamoured with their songwriting, caught under their spell as you surrender yourself totally to the course of their performance. Sure, you could listen to something a little faster but it wouldn’t have the same kick or adrenaline as Piece have.
Though the guitar work is a vital part of Piece’s songwriting, what truly gives the band their scope are the drums. The guitar work will keep you pinned but it’s the drumming that lends the band their atomic devastation. Cymbals and Tom-toms crash like meteors upon the planet, pouring fire into the empty vistas the guitar and bass cannot reach. Then you have the bass drums; when these are brought into play and the tempo climbs, they reach simply diabolical levels of energy that somehow don’t hit you directly. Instead the drums act as a boosting agent the way nitrous is injected into a car; it’s not the what the band use at every moment but you know damned well when it’s injected, because you’ll be doing your best to keep your seat and the eyes in your skull. The mix definitely aided the band in this for the riffs are positioned towards the forefront whilst the drums occupy a region further back; had the two been brought to a mixing equilibrium it could have reduced and muddled the impact of both so placing them where they are, Piece ensure all their bases are covered and whichever section we listen to we’ll be rewarded plentiful.
I remember accidentally discovering Piece not long after their first album came out and, what struck me was how explosive their sound felt. I’d argue they’ve amplified that effect with Rambler’s Axe as when you experience it, you’ll recognise how free and unrestricted the songwriting is. There isn’t a moment where you feel like something is wrapping, binding the songwriting overly close, ensuring everlasting control. Rather than fight and keep their fists bloodied and clenched, given how that wouldn’t work with this High On Fire-styled sound, the band simply let go, loosening their grip, allowing their sound to explode without limits, without anything to hold back the blast, so when it rolls over you it’s the full might of their arsenal you’re receiving. That’s why Piece feel so weaponised in what they do; when they play you’re getting everything they have in any given moment. They’ve still got control and vision over what they’re doing next, but don’t expect mercy or respite because the band have relinquished all restraint.
In conclusion, as Piece bring their epic nine minute closer to an end it allows us a chance to look back on what a record Rambler’s Axe is. It staggers me I haven’t encountered as many High On Fire-influenced bands as Piece, the soundscape, the grit, the grime, what Piece do here is fantastic and Rambler’s Axe solidifies the breakout success their first record garnered. This album cements the band as one of metal’s most fervent, climbing powers as they’ve tapped into an aesthetic few bands have managed to capture. From the minute you begin, if you’ve had prior experience with them, you’ll know what Piece will provide, but that won’t stop you from having an absolute blast. I think it’s better than their first record and it sure deserves to be the breakout release the band wholly need to surmount the major leagues. As massive as it is, Rambler’s Axe flies by which makes it a thoroughly replayable listen. I utterly adored this album and I believe you shall too.
Great review of a heavy ass record!