Vigilance by Axebreaker

Available on Cassette from OBSOLETE UNITS 03/2020
Available with "Live Assault V" (CDR)

"Power electronics' unfiltered trawl through transgression has at its best produced provocative and unbiased looks into aspects of humanity and society most prefer to leave unexplored, and at its worst has stagnated with vapid attempts at shock and distressing affinities for poisonous ideologies (fascism, racism, misogyny). In light of the disturbing normalization of far-right extremism in the Trump era, Terence Hannum of experimental metal/noise powerhouse Locrian and darkwave trio The Holy Circle started Axebreaker as an explicitly anti-fascist power electronics project, one aiming its attack deliberately at the rise of white nationalist violence and rhetoric in the West. On Vigilance, Hannum’s aural arsenal is one of unrelenting low churn, barely-controlled feedback, and throat-lacerating vocals, crated with a keen ear that evokes elements of PE cornerstones like Con-Dom, Ramleh, The Grey Wolves, and Genocide Organ etched with his own distinctive sonority that informs his diverse and prolific catalog. Vigilance comes packaged with a live CDR showcasing a gritty, uncompromising recording of his fifth “live assault” and an Axebreaker pin. A powerfully relevant and passionate statement of resistance that’s been long overdue." - from OBSOLETE UNITS



"Every era has its own Fascism"

"Vigilance" is the follow up to AXEBREAKER's epic "Brutality in Stone" (Phage Tapes) and addresses the worship of state violence, vigilante paranoia, religious justifications for racism, and the nature of tolerance if undefended. A truly violent work of industrial power-electronics helmed by Terence Hannum (Locrian/The Holy Circle) that has evolved its harsh drones using field recordings, synths and original lyrics as well as references to historical anti-fascist writings by Primo Levi and Karl Popper.

2017 - 2025