Speed Metal Reforged: Axetasy’s Masterful Withering Tides
After years of anticipation, Axetasy finally takes center stage on my blog—because Withering Tides is just too damn good to ignore. Released on January 17th, 2025, via Dying Victims Productions, this album cements the Stuttgart-based speed metal force as a name to be reckoned with. If you’re into the razor-sharp riffs of Helloween, the intensity of Butcher, or the anthemic energy of Blind Guardian, you’re in for a treat. So buckle up, crank the volume, and let’s dive into this high-octane slab of 33 1/3 RPM SPEED METAL MADNESS!
METAL-REVIEWSSPEED METALFRONT PAGE
Mörtel
1/18/20253 min read
Finally! After waiting for what feels like an eternity, Axetasy has earned their spot on my blog. I’ve been holding out for a major release to dive into, and it’s here: Withering Tides, unleashed on January 17th, 2025, via Dying Victims Productions—a label that’s consistently delivering the best in underground German metal.
I first stumbled upon Axetasy back in 2022, shortly after they dropped their third song, Deadly Witch. Its melodic-yet-brutal speed metal energy hooked me immediately, and I quickly dove into their earlier two-track demo, Slicing Dreams (released in 2021). That’s when my love for this band solidified. These tracks, alongside Deadly Witch, made it onto the album—and rightly so. I’ve been lucky enough to catch them live three times: first at Metal Force Attack VI in 2023, and twice in 2024 at Ragers Elite Festival X and Metal & Hell Festival (where they stepped in for Running Maidens and delivered their most intense performance to date)
Who is Axetasy?
Axetasy was formed in 2019 in Stuttgart by Johnny “Amon” Kröner (also rhythm guitarist for Stormwitch), his brother Christian “Krys” Kröner on drums, and Nik “Izzy Fetch” on guitar. Ben “Jaxxy Starr” joined as bassist in 2021, shortly before their demo release, completing the lineup.
Their sound? A fiery mix of Helloween and Blind Guardian with a modern twist that brings to mind Butcher or Vulture. It’s melodic, speedy, and unapologetically heavy metal—perfect for anyone craving that classic ’80s meets now vibe. Think soaring riffs, gritty vocals, and blazing energy.
Axetasy - Withering Tides
If this description already has you intrigued, wait until you hear Withering Tides. Clocking in at 40 minutes, it’s an explosive showcase of 33 1/3 RPM SPEED METAL MADNESS. Axetasy balances their inspirations—be it bands or entire subgenres—without ever sounding derivative. They’ve breathed fresh life into older tracks like Deadly Witch, giving them more edge and finesse while preserving their raw essence.
The riff interplay between Amon and Izzy is pure addiction. Jaxxy and Krys form a thunderous backbone solidifying their sound even further, while Amon’s vocals, switching seamlessly between rough and melodic, are occasionally complemented by Krys’ backing harmonies. The result? A dynamic, exciting album that never feels repetitive.
Rather than dissect each song’s sound, I’ll let you experience the magic yourself—trust me, it’s worth every second.
A quick look into lyrical themes
Instead of overanalyzing the music, let’s explore the lyrics—a rare but fitting choice for an album like this.
The title track “Withering Tides of Space” paints a more or less apocalyptic vision of the cosmsos collapsing under the weight of ancient forces, chaos and existential despair. The lyrics evoke a sense of cosmic insignificance, with humanity consumed by internal madness and external obliteration.
"Matter is falling apart
Arbitrariness
Of the ancient ones
Devouring all spectrals of light
Enchanting the end
Withering tides of space"
"Fatal Maze" seems to explore psychological torment and the inescapable loops of fear and insaniity. The song depicts a surreal and horrifying mental labyrinth where the protagonist confronts their deepest fears and twisted desires. It draws on the imagery of entrapment (being welcomed to the fatal maze multiple times in the song), mirrors reflecting guilt and dark forces pulling the protagonist further into chaos.
"Into black darkness I’m riding the sin
Leading me into the flames
On twisted track of sanity
Can’t stop their evil game..."
"Beyond All Order" seems to shift the tone a bit more towards rebellion and defiance. It describes a collective uprising where individuals reject societal norms and embrace chaos as a form of liberation (which seems a similar to Midnight Preys Black Cat, the core message is still a different one, but I see the parallels now that I analyzed both lyrics) The rebellion is also tinged with violence and destruction, suggesting that this "defiance" might be as self-destructive as it is freeing.
"Feel the power, strength and unity
Within one hour your life will change
Disturb the silence rumours from our side
Killing violence bit by bit"
These tracks touch on themes of cosmic obliteration, societal chaos, and psychological horror, making Withering Tides a compelling listen both sonically and lyrically.
Final Thoughts
Axetasy has outdone themselves with Withering Tides, delivering an album that’s already a strong contender for my top releases of 2025. Here’s hoping we get even more from this band in the near future—preferably with a live tour!
As always, support the artists by snagging their merch or attending their shows.
Go on—crank it up and let Axetasy’s blistering sound take over! 🔥.
