Äxe — Autogeddon

UK underground thrashers, Äxe, have completed their second demo to follow up their recent support tour and festival performances. Autogeddon's appearance on cassette helps to reinforce the old-school sound and aesthetic, bringing their rough and ready metal to the masses (well, thanks to the digital version, that is). Their lo-fi approach furthers their somewhat blackened take on thrash and pumps the underground/DIY blood through the young band's veins.

Eight frantic tracks over thirty-four minutes, Autogeddon is a testament to days gone by, thrashing for the fun of it, bringing in black and death flourishes to separate from the pack. The old school pioneers would be pleased with the lo-fi aesthetic of this demo, feeling like a remnant from the tape trading days. However, for Äxe and Autogeddon, that is a specific recording choice and not just due to basement/garage recordings and duplication degradation. With this being a second demo, Äxe is certainly ready for a full-length release, with this touring getting the band primed and firing as a unit. Starting with "Warriors of the Death Raid," Äxe darkly thrash forward with grim, gritty aplomb, using speed and aggression to bolster the crispy, distorted darkness. Overall, the speed of the project sticks to mid-paced to fast, with some slower bits used sparingly, Avoiding the ultra-fast, blistering drumming of the modern era, Äxe can keep their clarity while allowing the DIY roughness to remain. The riffing on display is as expected, with a higher guitar tone that helps cut through the murk and add a creepier vibe instead of just adding darkness onto darkness. Structurally, they're pretty run-of-the-mill, but the project itself seems to be revelling in old school glory rather than pushing the envelope. Vocally, Äxe is a little more challenging. Most of the album has excellently scratchy and mean shouts that perfectly match the vibe. The remaining parts involve the highs, which sound pained and more comical than musical. However, that could be preferential and just on me and my ears, but is noted as it was the largest detractor to this demo.

Äxe's second demo, Autogeddon, is a throwback from start to finish, ripping forth with blackened thrash straight out of the late 80's. The crew certainly gives it their all, and it's an enjoyable listen and a fun thirty-four minutes. Available on a very limited cassette as well, old school fans could pop this in the pocket of their battle vest to blare when they get to the keg party, crush a few, and stomp some posers.