Axecatcher
We were recently put onto Irish based Axecatcher, a band described as a ‘chaotic blend of hardcore and rock, grating screams and visceral lyrics’. Formed in late 2011, the band set out with a mutual love of heavy music, immediately hitting the gigging scene in Northern Ireland and generating a following from the word go. Now primed to get some serious recognition with their spanking new album, Sparks & Spears, we figured it was about time we sat up and took note of these guys, just to see what we thought of things.
Kicking into being with Circle Pit Roller Derby we’re immediately launched into a world of hammering guitar work, screaming vocal lines and bass heavy rhythms. This is a mix which is going to get you moving from the word go, the sort of sound that’s going to ignite a live venue and send the crowd into a frenzy. Despite the heavy edge, there’s still a serious dose of melody thrown into the mix here, the sort of thing which allows the listener to connect with the music whilst at the same time, taking on board the full force of the power on display. Seismic Toss continues this approach further, this time adding in a sense of punk orientated guitar work into the opening moments of the track before building to an almighty crescendo of distortion, power and aggression. Raw vocals continue to be the driving force behind the track, allowing the guitar work to elevate the track to a new level and keeping the mix firmly in your face and moving. Another track which sounds like it’s been perfectly crafted for the live scene, it’s not surprise that this is a band who have generated a following on the live scene.
Methuselah offers up a slight change in things, this time moving firmly towards the hardcore side of the spectrum and offering up heavy assed guitars accompanied by spat vocals. There’s a real sense of Hatebreed style metal going on here, the sort of sound which you know is going to get some serious pits moving from start to finish. Despite being a shorter track, there’s not a single moment of this one which gives you a break, opening as it means to go on and launching a full on assault in your direction. It’s only then left to YouFinder to close the record, finishing with another raw and upbeat track, built around complex guitar and bass lines to ensure that the sound is interesting from the off. Personally, this was my favourite track off of the record, simply because of the refusal to accept simplicity throughout it. From varied bass lines through to hammering guitar and drum work, this track starts as it means to go on, finishing the record but showing that Axecatcher are here, are ready, and are a band you need to hear.
It’s striking that Axecatcher have managed to put together four tracks here which seem to showcase their style, ability, and approach to music. From start to finish we’re shown hardcore, rock and moments which are almost progressive in their style, something very few bands ever manage to achieve fully. Definitely a band who have got the ability to step up and take their music forwards, I’ll be keeping a close eye on what they’re up to from here onwards.
To find out more about Axecatcher, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Words: Dave Nicholls
Kicking into being with Circle Pit Roller Derby we’re immediately launched into a world of hammering guitar work, screaming vocal lines and bass heavy rhythms. This is a mix which is going to get you moving from the word go, the sort of sound that’s going to ignite a live venue and send the crowd into a frenzy. Despite the heavy edge, there’s still a serious dose of melody thrown into the mix here, the sort of thing which allows the listener to connect with the music whilst at the same time, taking on board the full force of the power on display. Seismic Toss continues this approach further, this time adding in a sense of punk orientated guitar work into the opening moments of the track before building to an almighty crescendo of distortion, power and aggression. Raw vocals continue to be the driving force behind the track, allowing the guitar work to elevate the track to a new level and keeping the mix firmly in your face and moving. Another track which sounds like it’s been perfectly crafted for the live scene, it’s not surprise that this is a band who have generated a following on the live scene.
Methuselah offers up a slight change in things, this time moving firmly towards the hardcore side of the spectrum and offering up heavy assed guitars accompanied by spat vocals. There’s a real sense of Hatebreed style metal going on here, the sort of sound which you know is going to get some serious pits moving from start to finish. Despite being a shorter track, there’s not a single moment of this one which gives you a break, opening as it means to go on and launching a full on assault in your direction. It’s only then left to YouFinder to close the record, finishing with another raw and upbeat track, built around complex guitar and bass lines to ensure that the sound is interesting from the off. Personally, this was my favourite track off of the record, simply because of the refusal to accept simplicity throughout it. From varied bass lines through to hammering guitar and drum work, this track starts as it means to go on, finishing the record but showing that Axecatcher are here, are ready, and are a band you need to hear.
It’s striking that Axecatcher have managed to put together four tracks here which seem to showcase their style, ability, and approach to music. From start to finish we’re shown hardcore, rock and moments which are almost progressive in their style, something very few bands ever manage to achieve fully. Definitely a band who have got the ability to step up and take their music forwards, I’ll be keeping a close eye on what they’re up to from here onwards.
To find out more about Axecatcher, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Words: Dave Nicholls