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Release Date: November 13th 2026. Record Label: Self Released. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl
Axis - Tracklist
1.Black Masquerade 04:50
2.Burning Legacy
3.Giantess
4.Fading From View 05:10
5.Roamer
6.Harbinger of Rain
7.Faces of Evil
8.Beneath the Waves
9.Remember My Name
10.Golden Arms
Members
Jan Woudenberg - Lead / Rhythm Guitar
Tom Mourik - Bass Guitar
Dennis de Bruin - Lead / Rhythm Guitar
Rogier Henkelman - Drums
Tom van der Linden: Main vocals
Thomas Robinson - Keys / synths
Review
Axis is the debut album from Stoner Rockers Cervus who have steadily been building up their own great sound over the last five years through a couple of well received EP’s. Cervus are fully committed to the Stoner Rock cause here by blending elements of Psych, Desert Rock and Grunge into their core sound. Though, there’s a heavier and aggressive Doom Rock vibe that gives Cervus that modern day flavour.
The album is boosted by a great style of Hard Rock delivery that’s inspired by the likes of Soundgarden, KYUSS, Monster Magnet, QOTSA and Lowrider. The lyrics are quite gritty and never feel overstated with the band employing a great vocal delivery into the mix courtesy of Tom van der Linden who provides lead vocals and backing vocals throughout.
There’s some cool Post-Rock touches being added within the quieter moments as Cervus add some haunting Post-Doom and Post-Stoner sensibility into their music that may owe some debt of gratitude to the likes of King Buffalo and Elephant Tree along the way. Cervus play their way through some intense fast-paced melodies and subtle Grunge soundscapes within the opening tracks of Black Masquerade, Burning Legacy and Giantess. These songs allow Cervus to build a commanding rhythm of huge sounding Stoner Rock/Metal grooves that always move into different heavy musical pastures.
The excellent Keys / Synths that are delivered by Thomas Robinson add a seductive Seventies Rock attitude into the mix whilst keeping the classic Doom/Stoner Rock momentum fully intact. Cervus seem fully committed going through a musical transformation for the majority of the tracks as they play a wide range of different styles which gives Axis a vibrant, grounded and highly adventurous sound that’s quite different to their previous releases.
By the fourth track Pulling From View appears then Cervus are masters of their own creative domain where they’re in complete control playing an emotionally charged style of Post-Doom, Post-Rock and Stoner Rock sounds that sometimes tug at the heartstrings. Some elements start to become quite cinematic and dare I say quite orchestral in places which isn’t surprising with the array of different instruments that appear on this record. It’s one of the best things about Cervus as they keep trying different soundscapes and musical performances for each track that keeps the listener fully engaged throughout.
Other great tracks on the album are Roamer, Harbinger Of Rain, Beneath The Waves, Remember My Name and Golden Arms. Some sections of the album do see a reckless HEAVY METAL attitude forming that feels like it's being performed by two completely different bands before CERVUS return to their original musical ways.
Cervus perhaps fully finds their real strength within the heavier sounds on the album which does bring a more dynamic musical performance and presence from everyone involved here. However, the quieter and most reflective moments are the most engaging which offers a stark contrast to heavy Doomed Out passages that Axis contains from start to finish. This proves that Cervus are in full complete control of what’s being played around them with masterful storytelling being one of the standout themes of the whole record.
Axis is an epic album in every sense of the word with Cervus delivering a record that’s fastly becoming one of my favourite records of the year which still surprises me with a different experience every time I listen to it.
Awesome. End Of.
Words by Steve Howe
Axis is available to buy now on CD/DD/Vinyl.
Links
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