Review WUCAN “Axioms”

Wucan is the brainchild of Francis Tobolsky. Back in 2011, she was looking for musicians with whom to create music, and after finding Tim, Pätz and Patrik, everything was in place to work on a debut album. Francis and Tim are the only remaining founding members, and they are the driving force behind a band that is releasing its fourth album, “Axioms”.

“Axioms” features eight songs, and the Dresden-based band pick it up where they left off with “Heretic Tongues”. Drawing inspiration from ’70s hard rock, Wucan stick to their musical roots, enriching them with influences from many other genres. Their music is not easy-going; it is layered and demands time to be explored. This is one of the exciting factors of “Axioms”, and while they work on more complex songs, a constant level of melodic elements drives the songs forward.

The opener, “Spectres of Fear” provides an exciting first taste of the album. Equipped with a flute, the song is reminiscent of Jethro Tull, though it does not sound like Ian Anderson. It is always enough Wucan involved. Their own identity is present from start to finish, reflected in a variety of musical interpretations of traditional hard rock.

“Irons in the Fire” showcases the band’s straightforward approach. This is certainly a tune that blossoms immediately, and the bass-driven middle section is what makes “Irons in the Fire” such a stunning rocker.

The start of the funky “Wicked, Sick and Twisted” is characterised by the band’s willingness to experiment with electronica. This song’s groove is infectious and showcases the German rock outfit’s versatility. Next up is “KTNSAX”. This is a hypnotic moment on the album with an addictive flow that peaks in a chorus which sticks in the mind immediately.

The most complex song follows: “Holz auf Holz” has German lyrics and is one of the most versatile songs on the album. This throbbing prog rock song requires time to reveal its nuances and musical excellence.

The electronics-driven start of “Pipe Dreams” is a counterpart to “Holz auf Holz”. “Pipe Dreams” quickly turns into another powerful rock song that gets straight to the point. The title track showcases a band that is passionate about calmer tones, too.

“Axioms” is a soulful moment on the album, with Wucan showcasing their ability to create great soundscapes. The flute sound is again an important element of a powerful song that doesn’t need to be roaringly loud. It is a more gentle rock song that leads to the almost fragile beginning of “Fountain of Youth” After a while, the tempo and intensity of the song increase, and it becomes more vibrant and spiritually powerful. In a sense, “Fountain of Youth” brings together all the elements of Wucan’s music, forming a well-crafted final chapter of “Axioms”.

With their fourth album, the band establishes their place in the German progressive rock scene and puts them into the spotlight. “Axioms” is an impressive rock album that will provide classic rock fans with lasting delight.