EPK – AxMinister – vir fortis (EP) (2023)
Publicist – Jon Asher – jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
For fans of Megadeth, Manowar, Rush, Iron Maiden, Slayer
“A journey through history, we examine the rise of Napoleon Bonaparte and the story (along with the myth) of Vlad the Impaler. The songs are historically accurate, and the lyrics for the 17 minute Napoleon song, are academic; this EP is a history lesson.” – AxMinister
Axminister.ca | Facebook.com/AxMinister | Twitter.com/axministertrio | Instagram.com/axminister_band | Youtube.com/@AxMinisterTV
Axminister.bandcamp.com | Apple Music | Spotify
“From the drop of the first note, AxMinister pull their ax from stone, brandishing it mightily and powerfully as they dish out shredding sharpened riff after sharpened riff. Thrown in to the mix are face melting solos as well as ever present charging drumming as well as very solid very infectious vocals. Each of the five tracks present within this release are woven together well to provide you with a cohesive and well rounded sound that you will have a hard time getting out of your head. With The Crucible Of Sin, AxMinister gift you with five highly addictive and highly entertaining tracks that you keep coming back to.” – Cadaver Garden
“this EP (The Crucible of Sin) is just some good ol’ fashioned beer and pretzels Heavy Metal in the vein of bands like Manowar” – Metalcrypt
“The Crucible of Sin is a great thrash/traditional metal album, showing strong influences from Iron Maiden, Megadeth, Slayer and Metallica to full effect.” – Hellbound
“an exciting piece of Thrash Metal. It has a unique touch to it that allows the EP to be memorable, whilst the guitars make it very enjoyable.” – Noizze UK
“The stair-step cultural guitar to snare combinations for “The Trials of Hercules” brings out the Manowar fan in us all – while the speedy double kick locomotive aspects to closer “Sanctus Equitus Mortis” surely keep the ears pinned for a closer…It’s clear that you have a solid set of musicians and keen songwriting abilities – so if you want something a bit more dramatic and adventurous in your thrash airings, AxMinister could be that difference maker for you.” – Dead Rhetoric
“”The Crucible of Sin” is a lyrically-strong (hard & heavy) power metal recording with strong lead vocals, great guitar solos, a slick rhythm section, and inspired songs that will make you want to wave the banner of true heavy metal for all to see!! This is honest to goodness heavy metal that has been made possible thanks to hard work & dedication of true heavy metal maniacs.” – Heavy Metal Time Machine
“AxMinister are having fun with these five high octane songs, and if you enjoy NWOBHM then so will you.” – Firebrand’s Rock And Metal Express
“You can tell that AxMinister is a band that is all about fun, especially since one of their songs is titled “Arnold Schwarzenegger” – Metal Master Kingdom
“I don’t know how I’ve never come across these guys before; they played some great traditional Heavy Metal about history and had a killer stage show to boot, with frontman Nicholas Klaus looking like an executioner and their drummer constantly changing hats/helmets/masks throughout the set.” – Five Magics Music
“[AxMinister’s] gritty pounding thrash originals should also make lots of fans on the Fourth of July, so keep them in mind!” – Sault Metal Scene
[Download EP Cover | Download EP Lyrics]
EP Title: vir fortis
Release Date: May 11th, 2023
Label: Self-Release
Distribution: Digital – CD Baby
Track Listing:
1. The Age of Napoleon… The Rise – 17:06
2. Vlad The Impaler… Son Of The Dragon – 7:02
3. Vlad The Impaler… Forests of Impalement – 4:45
EP Length: 28:53
EP Credits:
All songs written and performed by AxMinister
Produced/Mixed/Mastered at Monolithic Productions by Tyler Williams
Member of SOCAN – yes
MAPL – Canadian Content
All album artwork by Bas Majzoub
EP and Live Band lineup:
Nicholas Klaus – Vocals/Bass
Steve MacLeod – Guitar
Bas Von Bismark – Drums
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EP as a whole:
A journey through history, we examine the rise of Napoleon Bonaparte, and the story (along with the myth) of Vlad the Impaler.
Track By Track:
The Age of Napoleon…The Rise, is act one of a 3 part saga, inspired by the rise and fall of the French Emperor, Napoleon Bonaparte. It is just over 17 minutes long, starts at his birth in Corsica, and ends with the French revolution, and young Napoleon as Captain.
The following two songs are about Vlad the Impaler (aka Dracula); two historic looks, through a supernatural lens.
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Func Facts – Story Angles:
1. The artwork for the album are oil paintings by our drummer Bas. Bas is sort of obsessed with Napoleon Bonaparte, and there at least 2 more songs about the French Emperor to be released in the coming years. The Napoleon song has been in the works for over 5 years.
2. Nicholas Klaus had to learn the accordion for ‘The Age of Napoleon…the Rise’; fortunately, being of Eastern European heritage, it came naturally to him! The melody that appears at the end of the Napoleon song, on the accordion, as well as the guitar outro, are one of the melodies for part 2 of AxMinister’s Napoleon saga, to be released in the coming years.
3. The two Vlad songs were always meant as two parts, and the band still refers to them as Vlad 1&2. The original Vlad 1 got scrapped, with only the main melody carrying over to Vlad the Impaler…Son of the Dragon.
L – R – Bas – Drums, Nick – Vocals/Bass, Steve – Guitar
Photo Credit – Maribeth Chabot – Shootingstarr Rock & Roll Photography
Hailing from the frozen tundra of Ontario, AxMinister are the heroes of metal the world needs!
Initially formed back in the forgotten mists of metallic history (1999); the power-trio AxMinister looked upon how po-faced metal had become; and yay, and verily, did they pull their mighty Ax from its anvil where it had rested, Excalibur-like, until it was needed; and set out to put the metal world to rights…that is as it should be! They are here to minister the metal, and they have their mighty Ax; their symbol of salvation to guide them.
In magic and metal myth, names have power, and none more so than AxMinister, as splendidly-named drummer Bas Von Bismark explains. “We play warriors of metal on a holy quest. Our preferred weapon is the Ax. It’s also a street name where we partook in libations as teenagers.”
Inspired by Megadeth, Metallica, Slayer, Iron Maiden, and Manowar, Bas describes AxMinister’s sound as “sped up Type O Negative.”
Bas is stoked for fans to hear AxMinister’s new music, their fifth studio release, the 2023 EP “vir fortis” follows 2018’s “The Crucible of Sin”.
“This new EP is a journey through history, we examine the rise of Napoleon Bonaparte and the story (along with the myth) of Vlad the Impaler. The songs are historically accurate, and the lyrics for the 17-minute Napoleon song, are academic; this EP is a history lesson.”
Live, AxMinister really wields their weapons of choice to great effect. “We put on a show, as we play medieval characters on stage. Sometimes we make a human sacrifice as our guitarist solos, other times we chant and pour blood on ourselves. We try to be theatrical and our stage show is constantly evolving.”
“vir fortis” is due out May 11, 2023 and available for pre-order on Bandcamp here.
Discography:
2023 – Vis Fortis (EP)
2018 – The Crucible of Sin (EP)
2017 – Visceral Speed (Single)
2015 – AXistential Christmas (single)
2015 – Unborn Warriors: The Cries of Tomorrow (single)
2015 – Betray Everything (LP)
2013 – Ora Pro Nobis (EP)
2010 – Stripped of False Pride (EP)
Shared Stage with:
King Parrot, The Agonist, Varga, Psychostick, Cauldron, Crimson Shadows, Vesperia, Wrechedpain, Profaner, Lutharo, Protokult, PHEAR, Decatur
Tours and Festivals:
2016 – Dime Fest – Windsor, ON
2014 – Niagara Metal Fest – Niagara Falls, ON
2016 – Hope For Paws fest – Toronto, ON
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