by Douglas Sloan- Metronome Magazine

Axminster is back with a searing, ten song collection of original songs entitled, about face, that was specifically designed to scorch your aural senses. After one listen, it's obvious that original members Steve Sera on vocals and guitar, Benny Fiorentino on guitar, Danny Callan on Bass and Mike Lamm on drums have made a triumphant return along with keyboardist Dave Quintiliani who adds a new dimension to the bands hard driving sound. Hip offerings from about face include the blazing "Faith, Hope, Love, War", the fiery instrumental "Ursa Minor's Major Misdemeanor", the futuristic sci-fi soundtrack inspired "Stained" and the power ballad "Highway to Run".
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Quite some time ago, around the turn of the century, we reviewed a CD of the band AXMINSTER. They hailed from Boston and I think it has now been quiet around them for like 10 years. However out of nowhere a new CD drops by in the mailbox. AXMINSTER returns with the CD ‘About face’, which musically continues the style of their previous album. The music is pure Hardrock, sorta the 80s American way. It’s not really melodic rock or anything like that, because it is more reminding me of bands like TKO, early Y&T, KEEL, 80s GENE SIMMONS’ KISS and the recent new SILENT RAGE album, so real Hardrock based on guitar riffs. 10 songs are included and fans of mentioned bands should check out this release.
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author: Glory Daze

The band returned to the familiar Axminster name, and in 2008 gave us a new album, the aptly named 'About Face', where the band have returned to the sound that they were once better known for.
The album is guitar driven hard rock for the most part, and Axminster rip into it from the start with the blistering 'Faith Hope Love War', an anti-war sentiment of the hard rock variety. 'Upside Down' is a straight-ahead rocker with an abundance of lead guitar fills throughout. The cleverly named 'Ursa Minor's Major Misdemeanor' is a neat instrumental track with a touch of Joe Satriani about it, which moves into the modern rocker 'You Own Me', where Steve Sera sounds uncannily like the late Kevin Dubrow. 'Stained' is a reminder of their 80's glory days, while 'Highway To Run' is a great sounding acoustic ballad which gives a nod to all the cowboy rockers from yesteryear. 'First To Cast A Stone' is another modern sounding rocker with a slower tempo and a degree of intensity in its style. 'Scarecrow' probably has the most unusual arrangement, with 70's influences and a true retro feel, sort of like Beggars And Thieves. 'Machine' returns us to a full-on metal tilt, with its aggressive chugging guitar riffs. Finishing up with 'Six', I actually liked this one a lot, with its superior sounding production, and moody delivery built upon a half paced tempo.
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On the accompanying press sheet it reads: '”NEW” 10-song CD of original rock from one of Boston's most popular radio and live acts of the 80's'.
Well, I was surely alive in the 80's but I don't seem to recall this 'popular' band. That may be because I wasn't in Boston at the time since that's where I think the action was at for Axminster.
The band started out in 1983, made a couple of records, did some notable gigs with Twisted Sister, Foghat & Lita Ford and then faded away in the 90's. Around the turn of the century Axminster got back together to give it another shot and this album, containing 10 slices of bluesy melodic hard rock, is the result.
Bluesy mostly because singer Steve Sera's set of tonsils sound like they have seen a whole lot of cigarettes & whisky. I don't now why but I had to think of KISS's "Carnival Of Souls" album quite a lot while listening to this disc. It expels the same dark mood, high quality, crunchy guitars & has that contemporary sound without straying too far from the path of melodic hardrock.
I'm afraid that once again the success of this band will centre mostly around their hometown Boston but that doesn't change the fact that "About Face" holds some nice enough tunes for people into rough, bluesy vocals & offers some very impressive guitar work as well. (PS)
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