Release date: Out now!

Review

The Axe is on the Oak is first up on the album and straight away you are welcomed by hard rocking guitar riffs. The low gain guitars give me more of an ACDC vibe then anything else and certainly feel more of a throwback to those glory days. The track mixes it up on paces, driving things forward more on the choruses and letting the swagger do the work. There is certainly a lot of feeling to this song and and I can guarantee that people will be bobbing along. The song really gets to work on the fast instrumental passages and the phasing guitar riffs carry the flow nicely. And I get the impression that this more about chunky riffs where you feel the power more then crazy soaring solos. The follow up section breaks things down and here I would expect some clapping before we return to a big punchy end chorus.

Loathsome Assembly opens with a spicy little lick before the pounding of drums and rhythms trickle a long for a moment. We drop into the bulk of the song where steady 4/4 drums power things along for the verses changing things up on the hi hats for other sections. The guitar work like the first track spits fire like an old engine chugging along. This is certainly one of those foot tapping songs that your dad will love.

Thrall to Woe rips things open with big ol’ chords from before a kick and snare four to the floor beat carries things forward. It feels like your in a big open space as the reverb feels more highlighted here. I can imagine myself in a desert somewhere with the sun blazing down on me. The pace picks up and the vocal work adds some charge before we return to the more mellow feel that we get on at the start. This pattern continues but more and more energy is added with some beautiful and dazzling lead guitar work which spirals and soars. It then drops down to a brief bass section, slowly adding back in more and more instruments before the the thunder returns. The power is certainly more prominent in the last part of the song where the band give it all on the last chorus and outro. Great track.

Next up is the mid tempo Saxon Queen! By now I have realised that the band are more of a rhythm focused band and this once again shines through here. There are plenty of tantalising riffs here that will please the old skool fans and again act as another foot stomper. Interestingly enough, things change up a little when the solo guitar kicks in part way through and I beleive there are some very gentle acoustic notes to accompany it. This is brief but the band inject some more energy in on the chorus before we drop back to the main riff. The outro gives us some acoustic notes that sing gently from the darkness but I am not sure what this adds to the song.

Fight to Thrive kicks things into high gear from the start. A brief acoustic intro sets the stage before the track erupts into its explosive core. True to the band’s signature style, it features roaring rhythm guitars, punchy bass lines, tight drumming, and powerful vocals—all combining to deliver a dense, ferocious wall of sound that commands attention.

Thunderfield does not mess around as we get straight to some meaty riffage and stomping drum lines. This is going to be one of those headbangers that I think people will really get into. There are some repeating guitar phrases but things are mixed up with moments of tasty little licks to add some extra interest. As always the vocal work is on point and I love the backing vocals which ass a bit of texture to the song. The little solo section is smoking and certainly leaves some burning trails behind. Even though this track is short it certainly packs a punch!

In the Teeth of the Gale feels like a steam train flying down the tracks, burning copious amounts of fuel by the second. This has been injected with does of energy and will certainly deliver a sweat. The double time hi hats would hurt my hands and the guitar and bass work doesn’t stop for anything. Personally this feels like it is one of the more energetic and frenzied songs on the album which I think people are going to love and really sink there teeth into!

“Enter the Fold closes the album with a bang—there’s no drop in energy here. The bass rumbles through the mix with bone-shaking power, and just like the previous track, it sounds like the band is running on a potent mix of caffeine and pure riff adrenaline. The tempo charges ahead, with guitar riffs snapping at you like a hungry beast. The vocals are packed with flair and passion—exactly what you want from a frontman—with bags of character and charm, which this record has delivered in spades.

The solo section is a standout moment—easily one of the best on the album—as the guitarists take turns absolutely shredding. Honestly, it’s so good you wish it went on longer. At just over three minutes, “Enter the Fold” may be brief, but Armstrong has crammed it with everything that makes this song great. It’s a fiery, riff-fueled finale that’ll rock your socks off.

Conclusion

At the end of the day, this album feels like a big love letter to classic hard rock and old-school metal. You can really hear those influences—there’s a gritty, throwback vibe running through every track. Sure, there are some tasty solos here and there, but it’s the rhythm work that really steals the show. The riffs are chunky, the grooves are tight, and the energy never lets up. It’s not about flashy showboating—it’s about locking into that feel and riding it hard. If you’re into big riffs, driving beats, and a no-nonsense rock attitude, this album’s gonna hit the spot.

TheNwothm Score: 8/10

Links

Bandcamp: https://armstrong-gun.bandcamp.com/album/the-fearsome-age-2

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArmstrongGun/