Axon: S/T 7″

Description

NFTW introduces the debut Self-Titled 7″ from AXON. Four tracks of Japanese influenced US hardcore brought to you from members of bands such as Mutant Strain, Lethal Means, Reckoning Force, Homemade Speed, and Thought Control. PLAY IT LOUD!!!

Our take: Not for the Weak Records brings us the 4-song debut release from Axon, a new band featuring personnel from NFTW groups like Reckoning Force, Lethal Means, Thought Control, and Homemade Speed with Alex from Mutant Strain and Meat House on drums. While Axon has a lot in common with the bruising hardcore of their NFTW label mates, theres a palpable Japanese hardcore influence to Axons riffing that gives it a unique flavor among the labels roster. That influence is apparent on the two b-side tracks, Separate and Manmade Hell, both of whose main riffs are built around epic, Death Side-esque scales, but Axons delivery is way faster and more jagged than what I associate with the Burning Spirits style. Rather than settling into Motorhead-esque grooves, Axons rhythmic foundation is more like Mutant Strains, with hyper-speed tempos and rarely a bar going by without some kind of punch, fill, or other rhythmic accent. The way everything comes at you all at once reminds me of Nightmares Give Notice of Nightmare album, which has a similar all-in intensity. Despite the speed and rhythmic intricacy, Axon still makes room for brief but blistering guitar leads, while the raspy and demonic vocals drag menacingly across the beat. As with Give Notice of Nightmare, it may take a listen or two to hear your way through the utter relentlessness, but once you unlock Axons charms, theres a world of hooks and cool details to appreciate.