HAWXX have never been a band to hold back. Fusing progressive metal, punk energy and uncompromising political commentary, the London-based four-piece have carved out a space where rage, resistance and community collide, creating music that is as thought-provoking as it is ferocious.

Their second album, The World Splits Open, arrives at a time when the band feel the world is “splitting open and collapsing on both a societal and ecological level”. Written during a period of immense personal and political upheaval, the record became a space for HAWXX to process their anger, find healing and explore what it means to resist, reconnect and reimagine the world around us. Across its ten tracks, themes of feminism, queer identity, community and hope sit alongside crushing riffs, ritualistic energy and moments of profound vulnerability.

Known for their electrifying live performances, HAWXX have also built a reputation for creating spaces where audiences can feel empowered, connected and free to be their most authentic selves. Ahead of the release of The World Splits Open, I caught up with the band to talk about catharsis, activism, the importance of emotional connection and why, even when the world feels like it’s falling apart, there is still hope to be found.

Hi guys! For anyone discovering HAWXX for the first time, how would you describe the band and what you’re all about?

“Feral, political punk metal. Rituals of rage and resistance.”

You’ve just released your second album, The World Splits Open. What does this record represent to you personally and creatively?

“Writing and recording this album has been an anchor in this last year, a place to embody our rage, to find our healing. The title comes from a lyric on the closing track of the album, ‘Be That Whore’. We made this music in a time of emergency where it felt like the world is splitting open and collapsing on both a societal and ecological level.

“How do we unlearn the systems that divide us? How can we tap into that pulse of belonging that exists in the natural world, calling us to new ways of being? To hear that song the earth is always singing, the song that splits the world open in revolution. These are the questions we are asking in this album.”

A lot of the album explores themes like resistance, feminism, queer identity and community. How important is it for HAWXX to use music as a platform to speak openly about those topics?

“At this point in time, HAWXX is a necessary vehicle for us to express our rage and tap into hope while it feels like the world is splitting open. It seems to be something that happens organically because these are the things that are burning inside us. We are so lucky to have this vessel to express ourselves through.”

HAWXX have built a reputation for being an incredibly powerful live band. What do you want people to feel when they come to one of your shows?

“HAWXX has given us permission to be our most unlocked and feral selves. It’s given us a space to be brave and expressive, to speak our minds and not hold back. We want to give the same to people that come to our shows. It’s so important to us to transform what a metal show means. We all grew up going to metal shows and know in our bones how important it is to carve out a brave space for women and queer people at the front.”

Your live performances seem to carry the same intensity and passion as the themes in your music. How important is that emotional connection with the audience when you’re on stage?

“The emotional connection on stage is everything, it’s what makes being in a band these days worth it. We are being bombarded with AI slop and bots. The never ending cost of living crisis makes touring financially unsustainable for artists as well as affecting disposable cash available for tickets. There’s a real danger of reduction to the live music experience for venues, artists and audiences.  To be able to get on stage and connect so deeply with people at our live shows reminds us why we do it and is hopefully is the antidote to AI slop for our audience. In our shows, our bond with the audience creates this small beautiful universe where things feel possible and alive.”

‘Resistance Is Justified’ is such a powerful and politically-charged track. Was it emotionally difficult writing something inspired by such a personal and real situation?

“It was definitely an intense process writing this song. There was a powerful driving force behind it, this song had to be born. It was ultimately really healing to write and I got to play it on the phone to my friend Jordan (who it’s about) while he was in his prison cell ,the night before his trial. I then performed the song outside the courthouse during the trial back in January. The song took on a path of its own once we wrote it and found it’s rightful place beyond the world of music and out on the streets.”

Finally, what are you most excited for people to experience now The World Splits Open is finally out in the world?

“We are excited for people to experience catharsis the same way we have writing these songs. We also want people to feel hope, to be driven to find how they can split their own world open and to reconnect with the power of nature. And we’re on tour in the UK in September and October – come experience it with us live!”

You heard the girls – go and get yourself a ticket now!