Hailing from the UK capital, Axe are a brand new outfit comprised of 5 devoted maniacs seeking to deliver a potent dose of Black/Speed on their demo ‘Warriors of the Death Raid’. In a crowded space such as Black/Speed, playing something fresh is no easy task. Luckily, the quintet behind this project have studied their progenitors well and tapped the vein into what makes this style so good when executed properly.
Axe’s strength lie in their ability to forge fast tunes that pull from everywhere but sound like no one in particular at the same time. Each song gives the sensation of stepping into a time machine as you suddenly hear riffs not just from acts in the genre like Desaster or Hellhammer but also the foundational influence of Motörhead, Venom or Razor. The riffs are visceral and are a gut to the punch, but also have this sloppy punk feeling that gives them a raw edge and ensures it stays true to its roots. There are even moments when the band stray to play more melodically inclined solos or riffs derived from traditional Heavy Metal (see ‘Witchhammer Queen’).
This is aided by a production job that sufficiently retains the atmosphere of being locked deep in a dungeon with these misfits while at the same time breathing life into each instrument. The demo has this thick, audible bass that anchors the sound and is much of the rhythmic lifeblood, giving it much of its groove and catchiness. Special commendation must be given to the drummer, who effortlessly shifts between d-beat blast and more traditional Black Metal percussion.
For a first effort, it’s clear Äxe have put a lot of care and attention to ensure this demo doesn’t simply fall into the dustbin of an overcrowded genre. For those who are looking for a release that is both faithful and provides a dynamic listening experience, look no further. The band has pulled from every source possible and honour their sonic heroes loud and proud, look no further than the fantastic Kat cover of ‘Metal and Hell’. Looking forward to hearing them in the future.
