Hawxx – The World Splits Open
Release Date: 26th June 2026
Self-described as the “feral coven of queer feminist punk metal”, Hawxx delivers a sophomore album that certainly matches that description. An album dedicated to their core beliefs, The World Splits Open is comprised of orchestrated rage, droning guitars and punk bile. The album isn’t a story, it’s a thematic protest to the status quo, injustice and genocide. Beginning with ‘Resistance Is Justified’, a song highlighting the case of The Filton 24 followed by the yells “Free, Free Palestine!”, sets the tone for a political statement within an album. In Hawxx’s case, ten statements.
It’s clear that the music does not take a back seat to make room for the message, throughout the album the trio’s experience can be heard in their virtuoso performances and the careful arrangements. The punk metal outfit slip seamlessly to and from powerful punk metal riffs with wild screaming to the anthemic and theatrical in the tracks ‘We Are Nature’ and ‘Sacred Water’. Slowing the dynamic only towards the end with “Me and Her and All The Birds”, Hawxx display a vulnerable side to the album as vocalist Annouli sings “Take me into the woods; Where we’re no longer rebels”. Then immediately crashing into the album highlight ‘Be That Whore’, which demonstrates a kind of return to punk metal of the late 2000s.
Confrontational from the start, the emotionally and politically charged album The World Splits Open doesn’t wallow in its own anxieties, encouraging action and taking it on all fronts. War Cries of “Fuck Your Macho Bullshit Forever!” and “Arm the Animals!” epitomize the passionate rage broadcast by Hawxx. The album delivers an interesting concept but by its nature, as 10 separate themes, creates a disjointed listen at times. It’s an album that requires effort. However, it’s not supposed to be an easy listen, challenging and harsh as punk metal tradition dictates. The songs are technically impressive without breaking boundaries or offering something radically new to the genre, delivering a textured and dynamic album ranging from raw punk metal to metal ballads. But Hawxx’s mission extends beyond genre development, driven by a desire for change, fuelled by anger and despair, Hawxx delivers an album that challenges the listener on multiple fronts, but a challenge that is worth the effort.
Words by Luke Wain.