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Power Theory's An Axe to Grind is a Traditional Metal affair with a modern production highlighting an 80s sound. The songs are generic but not cliché and I found that my foot was tapping more often than not when listening to the album. The choruses aren't as catchy as they could be and that works against Power Theory a bit. On the other hand, the riffs are solid, if unspectacular, while the solos are a cut above. The lead on "Deceiver" is straight out of the Tipton/Downing playbook (to say nothing of the fact that Priest also has a song by the name of "Deceiver.") The vocals are a gritty shout, similar to Jon Oliva or Marc Storace, and are perfect for this style of mid-tempo Heavy Metal.

Power Theory isn't going to change the face of Traditional Heavy Metal. A few standout songs could have altered that statement, but their songwriting isn't there yet. An Axe to Grind is still worth checking out if you're a fan of Unrest, early Krokus, Crossfire and the like.