Prepare for a heavy metal revival! AXE DRAGGER, an exciting supergroup formed by notable musicians from iconic bands like FU MANCHU and PANTERA, is set to release its debut album on March 6, 2026, through Ripple Music. This self-titled album promises to deliver a fresh yet nostalgic sound reminiscent of the classic heavy metal era. The first single from the album, which shares its name with the group, comes with a visually engaging lyric video crafted by DJ Summitt, and you can check it out below.
AXE DRAGGER was born out of a collaborative effort across distances, with guitarist Bob Balch (known for his work with FU MANCHU and SLOWER) teaming up with drummer Pete Campbell, who previously played with PENTAGRAM. Their creative synergy began when Bob started sending riffs to Pete, who then added his drumming skills to the mix. This partnership quickly evolved when they brought in Terry Glaze (formerly of PANTERA) as the vocalist and Fredrik Isaksson from DARK FUNERAL to play bass. Over the course of a year, they meticulously built their songs — each riff and drum crash contributing to what would become a fully formed band. The resulting album is infused with the spirit of early 1980s heavy metal, drawing inspiration from legendary bands such as RIOT, SAVATAGE, JUDAS PRIEST, DIO, IRON MAIDEN, and ARMORED SAINT, while also incorporating the modern weight and intensity akin to SOUNDGARDEN, MASTODON, and THE OBSESSED.
Bob Balch shared his thoughts: "The very first song we created was 'Axe Dragger.' When Minnesota Pete Campbell, the ex-drummer of PENTAGRAM, approached me about collaborating on a metal project, I found myself bursting with riffs almost immediately. The song came together effortlessly. I envisioned Terry Glaze's vocals fitting perfectly with it, so we sent it his way. Once we heard his vocals and lyrics, we knew we had captured something extraordinary — he even sings the phrase 'heavy metal' in the opening verse! That track ignited our passion and ultimately led to the creation of the entire album. When Pete suggested bringing in Fredrik Isaksson on bass, everything fell into place beautifully, and Fredrik's contributions were outstanding.
"The riffs for this track reflect the classic heavy metal records that inspired me as a kid — think of JUDAS PRIEST, RIOT, MAIDEN, and DIO. I hope everyone enjoys it!"
Pete Campbell added his perspective: "This track was the initial piece Bob sent me for our collaboration. After my first listen, I had a clear vision of where we were headed. I recorded my drum parts and sent them back to him. When I learned Terry was interested in adding vocals, I was thrilled. Upon hearing Terry's voice with the music, it was evident we had something special on our hands — and just like that, we ended up with a full album of ten songs! Fredrik's bass playing is phenomenal, and he was the perfect fit for our sound. Working with Bob, who is a relentless source of incredible riffs, has been an absolute honor. I'm incredibly excited for listeners to experience our music. Hail metal!"
Reflecting on how AXE DRAGGER came to fruition, Balch explained, "I had been discussing ideas and exchanging riffs with drummer Pete Campbell for some time. Additionally, I’ve been teaching a student over FaceTime who wants to learn classic tracks from RIOT, JUDAS PRIEST, and DIO, which reignited my drive to create an old-school heavy metal project. As we exchanged riffs and beats, we eventually brought Terry Glaze and Fredrik Isaksson into the mix. The very first track that Terry contributed was 'Axe Dragger,' and it left us completely ecstatic. We were all inspired and, within a year, we compiled this record. It serves as a genuine homage to the essence of early '80s heavy metal, and I truly hope everyone enjoys it. For the guitar enthusiasts out there, this album is rich with harmonic minor modes reminiscent of the 'Powerslave' era of IRON MAIDEN!"
The track "Axe Dragger" was expertly mixed by Brian Scheuble, who has worked with renowned bands such as MÖTLEY CRÜE and WHITESNAKE, and was mastered by Dave Collins, known for his work with METALLICA and SOUNDGARDEN. The vinyl and CD mastering was handled by Carl Saff, while the album’s artwork was designed by Seldon Hunt and the press photos were taken by John McGill.
Here's the complete listing of tracks featured on "Axe Dragger":
- Axe Dragger
- Give You The Rope
- Fight Another Day
- Iron Rider
- Eat Me From The Inside
- Shock 'Em Dead
- El Toro
- The Damned Will Cry
- Fire In The Madhouse
- Death Is Calling My Name
Terry Glaze, who led PANTERA during the band’s early years characterized by their "party metal" style, lent his voice to the group's first three albums before moving on to form LORD TRACY after leaving PANTERA.
The lineup for AXE DRAGGER includes:
- Bob Balch (FU MANCHU, SLOWER) - Guitar
- Pete Campbell (ex-PENTAGRAM) - Drums
- Fredrik Isaksson (DARK FUNERAL) - Bass
- Terry Glaze (ex-PANTERA) - Vocals
Are you excited to see how this supergroup blends classic sounds with modern influences? What are your thoughts on the resurgence of heavy metal in today's music scene? Share your opinions below!
