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There are few bands on this planet that fly the flag for rowdy 70s hard rock with as much passion and verve as Stone Axe.

Should you require proof, this live album, taken from the California band’s performance at Tilburg’s Roadburn shindig last year, encapsulates brilliantly their intuitive mastery of everything from AC/DC-style boogie metal to thunderous stoner rock rumblings.

While many bands indulge in such rampant revisionism, Stone Axe also have the songs to back up their bravado. From the strutting On With The Show to the snarling, bowel-bothering Nightwolf, this is a sustained master class in how best to marry giant hooks to blues-infused grit.

A compelling paean to the noble art of kicking ass, this Axe is razor-sharp.

Dom Lawson has been writing for Metal Hammer and Prog for over 14 years and is extremely fond of heavy metal, progressive rock, coffee and snooker. He also contributes to The Guardian, Classic Rock, Bravewords and Blabbermouth and has previously written for Kerrang! magazine in the mid-2000s.