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"Executioner's Tax (Swing of the Axe)" is a 2017 song by American thrash metal band Power Trip, released as the second single from their second studio album Nightmare Logic. According to the song's vocalist Riley Gale, its lyrics are inspired by the practice of paying a fee to executioners in medieval Europe for a painless death, which he applied to the political climate at the time. The song was generally praised by critics, particularly for the performance of Gale and guitarists Blake Ibanez and Nick Stewart. A live version of the song was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance in 2021.

Background

"Executioner's Tax (Swing of the Axe)" was released as the second single of the album Nightmare Logic, ahead of the album's release on 24 February 2017. Like the rest of the album, the single was produced by Arthur Rizk and released by Southern Lord Records. In an interview with the Austin Chronicle, Power Trip vocalist Riley Gale stated that the lyrics were inspired by supposed payments to executioners in medieval Europe to ensure a quick, painless beheading. He likened these payments to modern self-destructive habits, such as the consumption of prescription drugs and junk food.

Reception

"Executioner's Tax (Swing of the Axe)" was generally praised by critics. Zoe Camp of Pitchfork called it the "best song" on Nightmare Logic, referencing Gale's satirical lyrics and guitarist Blake Ibanez's heavy tremolo riffs. In a positive review of Nightmare Logic, PopMatters noted Ibanez and Nick Stewart's "smoldering, napalm-soaked six-string maneuvers" and Gale's "fittingly frightening vocal performance" on the track. Branan Rajanathan of Exclaim! also praised the song's vocals and guitarwork. The song was named the best metal song of the year at the 2017 Loudwire Music Awards. A live version of the song was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance in 2021.

In 2017, television host Greg Gutfeld played the song twice on an episode of The Five, leading the band to issue a "cease and desist" through Twitter. Gale and Gutfeld later had a dialogue following the incident, leading to the two developing a friendship. Members of Power Trip and Obituary recorded a cover of the song as a tribute to Gale following his death in 2018. Additionally, the band Outburst released a cover of the song in 2022, donating all streaming proceeds to the Riley Gale Foundation.

References

1. "Power Trip Unveils "Executioner's Tax (Swing Of The Axe)" And Extends North American Tour; Nightmare Logic Preorders Posted". Earsplit. 17 January 2017. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
2. Curtin, Kevin (9 November 2017). "Sound on Sound Fest Q&A: Power Trip". The Austin Chronicle. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
3. Camp, Zoe (1 March 2017). "Nightmare Logic". Pitchfork. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
4. "Power Trip: Nightmare Logic". PopMatters. 23 February 2017. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
5. Rajanathan, Branan (21 February 2017). "Power Trip". Exclaim!. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
6. Childers, Chad (25 October 2017). "Avenged Sevenfold, Stone Sour + Iron Maiden Win Big at the 2017 Loudwire Music Awards". Loudwire. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
7. "Power Trip". Grammy Awards. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
8. Kim, Michelle Hyun (6 December 2017). "Power Trip Are Pissed That Their Music Got Played on Fox News". Pitchfork. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
9. ^ Clarke, Patrick (27 August 2020). "Fox News host Greg Gutfeld pays tribute to Riley Gale of Power Trip". NME. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
10. Breihan, Tom (30 March 2021). "Watch Power Trip & Obituary Members Play "Executioner's Tax (Swing Of The Axe)" In Tribute To Riley Gale". Stereogum. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
11. Kennelty, Greg (5 October 2022). "Outburst Covers Power Trip's "Executioner's Tax (Swing Of The Axe)" To Benefit Riley Gale Foundation". Metal Injection. Retrieved 30 July 2024.

• 2017 singles
• 2017 songs
• Thrash metal songs