Cake, prosecco and political rage: HAWXX’s The World Splits Open – album review and launch party photo gallery

Fearlessly progressive HAWXX have returned with their defiant second album, The World Splits Open, sinking their talons deep into anyone who upholds the political injustice, bigotry, and genocidal beliefs that continue to plague our societies, their furious sound tearing at the flesh of those complicit and contemptible. Where they made their mark with their first album, HAWXX, now brand their white-hot sound onto the punk and post-hardcore scene with a righteous fury driving their lyrics and rhythms that progressively become heavier as The World Splits Open plays on.

In the lead up to their explosive release at midnight, HAWXX hosted an album listening party where they delved further into the inspirations behind the tracks, their scorching tracks played out in a church, and gave new meaning to “baptism by fire”. Complete with cake and prosecco and the lyrics printed on hymn sheets, the irony of providing such decadence in a place of serenity that soon played host to rageful melodies and hardcore beats calling for resistance was not lost on those in attendance.

A missive begins the album, highlighting the Filton 24 case, blending into the racing beats and chilling primal screams of ‘Resistance Is Justified’, the calls of “free, free Palestine” echoing out throughout the first track and making HAWXX’s stance with this album unmistakably clear from the first 10 seconds.

‘Macho Bullshit’ is unsurprisingly a popular hit with fans and artists who are tired of seeing a hardcore/punk scene that welcomes and caters to men, while denying the same opportunities to women and non-binary artists in the scene, wrapped up in a melody that moves from menacingly slow with dropped vocals and drives into rampant punk and a call to arms to:

“bring your daughter to the altar, teach her how to devour”

‘Feral Mother’ has lead vocalist Annouli leading us in with a softer approach over an insistent riff that rises into a thrumming rhythm and despairing vocals, touching on the grief of not even feeling comfort in your usual safe space as you try to push through to something clearer.

‘We Are Nature’ feels like a continuation of ‘Feral Mother’ in how it celebrates femininity, focusing on the dangerous aspects that are underestimated daily, whilst also reminding us that when we’re nothing but dust, nature will heal and move past us, over drummer Jess‘ steadily pulverising beats, guitarist Hannah flanking the beat with guitar hooks that dare you to underrate their impact. ‘Arm The Animals’ is primarily a scornful spotlight on the industrialised farming industry, but feels like it could speak to the primal creature inside of us all with a forceful, angry punk rhythm as Annouli viscerally screams “let the hunted become the hunter”. Almost graceful in how it rises in pitch and emotion on the choruses, ‘Bind’ features Jess’ rapid-fire drums under mesmerising riffs and tempestuous screams that give way to wearied cries, aiming squarely at the Catholic church and telling them we will never forget the darkness of their institute.

‘Sacred Water’ begins stripped back to Annouli giving a haunting chant before the song descends into a melody that flows and crests like a turbulent sea, the lyrics calling out the real sewage pollution Thames Water is guilty of and its devastating effect on entire strips of land and waters, as well as thousands of humans and wildlife. ‘Shriek’ starts as its namesake, a yell (that was actually a recording of Jess slapping Annouli), giving way to an annihilating dual riff from Hannah and Annouli as the track takes on a more post-metalcore feel and channels a spirit akin to vengeful Valkyries. ‘Me Her And The Birds’ has a slower start to its counterparts, Annouli inflecting more acidic rage into her voice as the rhythm builds to a punk crescendo of instruments that tears apart the bigotry of queer love. There’s no reprieve or closure to the exhausting rage induced as final track ‘Be That Whore’ brings a final ferocity to the album, a battle cry of “be that whore / break, annihilate” forcing a disconcerting silence before the track pierces through with hardcore energy and heavy punk vocals, the core message clear that if you’re going to be accused of being a whore just for existing, then give them a fucking reason to talk about you.

HAWXX haven’t just lit a match on political and societal bullshit with The World Splits Open; they’re razing it to the ground.

Follow HAWXX at hawxx | bandcamp | youtube | facebook | instagram

Catch HAWXX on LOUD WOMEN Sunday at Rebellion Festival this summer