This came out in 2001 – or at least that’s when I got it. Here’s what I said about it back then (with some minor editing):
THE ARTIST: Yes, the band’s name is the title of an old Alice Cooper album. But Alice is nowhere to be found here. Instead, it’s most of his old band, who valiantly — and unsuccessfully — tried to soldier on after the shock-rocker left for a solo career in 1973.
THE ALBUM: This three-disc set contains Battle Axe, the group’s one and only album from 1977, along with one CD of demos and another containing a live recording. THE MUSIC: Battle Axe’s dozen tunes have all the guitar-driven, ’70s glam-rock flair of early Alice. Sadly, the lyrics — which seldom rise above dreck like “love is rather blind” — make you wish the band stuck to instrumentals. THE QUALITY: Surprisingly good, considering the studio tracks were taken from an old LP (the master tapes were lost) and the live fare was found on eBay. Bonus points: They play some old Alice tracks live. THE LAST WORD: Sure it’s rare, but three CDs for a band that did one album and a handful of gigs? Welcome to our nightmare.
