AXES – Self-titled EP

Some feathers with eyes and some hardcore German dudes, ya dig?

Are AXES the best hardcore-and-more band you’ve never heard of?

These three everyday dudes from Rosswein, Germany (a tiny town so mind-meltingly boring it merits no more than a single line in Wikipedia and an official website so bereft of content that an article about a senior citizens cafe is a highlight), have crafted a real delight with their debut self-titled EP.

Trap My Eyes opens with a squall of feedback to announce a chunk of rumbling stoner metal that slowly builds tension. So far, so good, so what until a vertiginous drop that feels like every molecule of oxygen air being sucked out of the song before a hardcore-style scream signals a change-up to…

… unexpected NWOBHM influences in the guitar leads and a galloping pace that surprisingly fits perfectly with the hardcore vocals, FX and occasional, very satisfying guitar-chug.

Second Barred Debt wears its punk on its sleeve (and its drumming and pick-sliding). Yet tasty little slowdowns and detours into laidback stoner metal all the while shot through with vein-bulging emotive vocals and melody keep things interesting with plenty of light and shade.

This fun, diverse EP closes out with Vows, a track that showcases AXES’ aptitude for Great Big Fuzzy Riffs laced with hooky, chiming melodies.

It’s available as a free download from the AXES bandcamp. You can spare 10 minutes, download the fucker and enjoy it. You can thank me later.