Battleaxe (band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1980 in Sunderland, England |
| Founder | Dave King, Brian Smith, Steve Hardy, Ian Thompson |
| Headquarters | Sunderland , England |
| Products | Heavy metal music, albums, singles, EPs |
| Website | battleaxe |
Battleaxe is a heavy metal group originating from Sunderland, England. Emerging during the new wave of British heavy metal era, they initially performed under the name Warrior before rebranding as Battleaxe in early 1981. The founding members were Dave King on vocals, Brian Smith handling bass, Steve Hardy on guitar, and Ian Thompson on drums. After building a local following, they produced a demo called "Burn This Town," which caught the attention of Roadrunner Records and led to their first album, also titled Burn This Town.
Cover art controversy
Following their contract with Roadrunner Records, the band enlisted local artist Arthur Ball to design the cover for Burn This Town. Ball created a preliminary draft intended for approval and subsequent refinement. However, Roadrunner pressed 2,000 copies using this initial draft without consulting the band. Despite the artwork's amateur appearance raising concerns about the band's image, the album achieved commercial success and helped solidify Battleaxe’s standing within the heavy metal community.
Changing of "Ians"
Soon after finishing Burn This Town at Guardian Studios, drummer Ian Thompson sustained a serious skull injury due to an assault, necessitating a lengthy recovery period. Despite this challenge, the band gained traction by signing with Roadrunner Records and committing to a follow-up album within the same year. Ian McCormack, formerly of Satan, stepped in temporarily on drums. The subsequent release, Power from the Universe, issued through Roadrunner and Music for Nations, brought unexpected acclaim for its polished sound. The album’s opening track "Chopper Attack" earned recognition as one of the era’s standout heavy metal openers. Maintaining this lineup, Battleaxe recorded a session for BBC Radio One’s Tommy Vance Friday Rock show, embarked on a national tour supporting Saxon, and appeared at Leeds Queens Hall Festival alongside prominent bands such as Twisted Sister and Girlschool.
Personnel changes
Prior to a significant performance at Hammersmith Odeon supporting Saxon’s Crusader tour, Steve Hardy’s sudden departure led to Atlantic Records’ A&R losing interest, causing the band to miss out on a major recording contract. This setback resulted in nearly two years of inactivity until a refreshed lineup featuring Mick Percy and John Stormont on guitars revitalized their live and studio dynamics. They recorded tracks including "Radio Thunder," "Girl Crazee," and "Killer Woman" for the 1987 EP Nightmare Zone, with Stormont delivering a lead guitar solo on "Killer Woman." After Stormont left, several musicians passed through before Jason Holt (guitar) and Stew Curtan (drums) joined in 1987 following McCormack’s retirement. Drummer Paul AT Kinson occasionally filled in before becoming a permanent member.
This formation boosted Battleaxe’s intensity and adaptability but was short-lived due to touring difficulties. Metallica had planned joint UK and European tours but withdrew citing political reasons; nonetheless, Battleaxe featured alongside Metallica and Manowar on a compilation release. Between 1995 and 1998, the band briefly expanded with an additional guitarist and performed a one-time show at Klenal Hall Biker's Festival. Efforts to produce a third album titled Metal Edge were halted by lack of label support and financial limitations restricting touring opportunities. In 2007, original members Brian Smith (bass) and Dave King (vocals), together with Mick Percy (guitar) and Paul AT Kinson (drums), released a video for "Chopper Attack," marking an attempt to re-engage with the new wave of British heavy metal resurgence.
Subsequent Progressions
In 2008, a group of Swedish enthusiasts created a website focused on Battleaxe, sparking renewed enthusiasm for the band. Two years later, in 2010, Battleaxe made their comeback to the metal circuit with their inaugural European live performance at Headbangers Open Air.
During 2011 and 2012, the band appeared at notable events such as the UK's Hard Rock Hell and Hammerfest festivals, as well as Italy’s Heavy Metal Night.
Although Dave King and Brian Smith turned down a recording contract offered by Limb Music (Germany), they inked a four-album deal with SPV Steamhammer in 2013. It is important to note that drummer Paul AT Kinson and guitarist Mick Percy were not included in this agreement.
To celebrate three decades since their formation, Battleaxe reissued their debut two albums, Burn This Town and Power From The Universe, accompanied by a third release of Heavy Metal Sanctuary. Subsequently, SPV Steamhammer re-released Power From The Universe once more in 2020.
The initial trio of albums received varied critiques worldwide; among these, esteemed rock critic Geoff Barton reviewed the reissue of Power From The Universe.
Following the Keep It True Festival in 2014, long-serving drummer Paul AT Kinson exited the band. Kinson had been involved since the early 1990s contributing to demos and small gigs, co-reviving the band alongside Dave King from 2007 to 2014, producing two official music videos, and co-writing and producing the 2014 album Heavy Metal Sanctuary.
In May 2014, Ricky Squires (formerly of Heavy Metal Kids) took over drumming duties ahead of their debut at Bloodstock Open Air; however, challenges related to geographic distance affected his ongoing involvement.
Steve Rix, a session drummer recognized for collaborations with the late producer Chris Tsangarides—who was intended to produce their album planned for 2017/2018—has frequently served as a substitute. Additionally, Gary Young from Avenger has stepped in on drums during performances such as the UK's BroFest.
As of 2022, Battleaxe is engaged in recording new material at White Wolf Recording Studios located in County Durham, with intentions to recommence live touring.
Personnel for Burn This Town
- Dave King — lead vocals
- Brian Smith — bass guitar
- Steve Hardy — guitar
- Ian Thompson — drums
Personnel for Power from the Universe
- Dave King — lead vocals
- Brian Smith — bass guitar
- Steve Hardy — guitar
- Ian McCormack — drums
Post-Universe Lineup One
- Dave King — lead vocals
- Brian Smith — bass guitar
- Ian McCormick — drums
- John Stormont — guitar
- Mick Percy — guitar
Post-Universe Lineup Two
- Dave King — lead vocals
- Brian Smith — bass guitar
- Mick Percy — guitar
- Jason Holt — guitar
- Stewart Curtan — drums
Nightmare Zone Lineup
- Dave King — lead vocals
- Brian Smith — bass guitar
- Mick Percy — guitar
- John Stormont — guitar
- Ian McCormack — drums
Heavy Metal Sanctuary Lineup
- Dave King – lead vocals
- Mick Percy – guitar
- Brian Smith – bass guitar
- Paul Kinson – drums
Band Members
2007 – 2014
- Dave King — lead vocals
- Brian Smith — bass guitar
- Mick Percy — guitar
- Paul AT Kinson – drums
2014 – Present
- Dave King — lead vocals
- Brian Smith — bass guitar
- Mick Percy — guitar
- Ricky Squires / Steve Rix – drums
Releases
- "Burn This Town" - Single — Burn This Town/Battleaxe (1981)
- Burn This Town - Album (Original Cover) (1983)
- Burn This Town - Album (Revised Cover) (1984)
- Power from the Universe - Album (1984)
- Burn This Town - CD Reissue (2005)
- Power from the Universe - CD Reissue (2005)
- Nightmare Zone - EP CD (Recorded 1987) (2005)
- Heavy Metal Sanctuary - Album (2014)
Compilation appearances
- Roxcalibur - Featuring Burn This Town & Battleaxe (1982)
- Hell on Earth - Includes Ready to Deliver (1983)
- Metal Battle - Showcasing Ready to Deliver (1983)
- Metal Hammer Sampler - Contains Running Out of Time (1984)
- Welcome to the Metal Zone - Featuring Chopper Attack (1985)