ArtistDirect News
HAWXX Drops Second Album The World Splits Open and Releases Arm The Animals Video
On 26 June 2026, London‑based progressive trio HAWXX launched their second full‑length album, The World Splits Open, through a self‑released distribution that made the record instantly available on all major streaming services and in physical formats. To accompany the launch, the band unveiled a striking music video for the track “Arm The Animals,” a visceral call to animal rights that mirrors the group’s long‑standing activist ethos.
HAWXX—vocalist‑guitarist Annouli Papadimitriou, guitarist Hannah Staphnill, and drummer Jessica Dann—has carved a niche in the heavy‑music scene with high‑energy, politically charged shows. Their debut, Earth, Spit, Blood And Bones, produced singles such as “Death Makes Sisters Of Us All” and “The Worst Thing” and drew praise from Metal Hammer, Kerrang!, and Distorted Sound. The trio’s music is rooted in feminist principles and activism around Palestine, climate catastrophe, and trans and queer liberation.
The new album was recorded in a single, three‑week stint at Middlefarm Studios in Devon under the guidance of producer Pete Miles. In a deliberate departure from studio polish, the band recorded all ten tracks live in one room, rejecting click tracks, quantizing, and vocal automation to preserve the raw, expressive quality of their stage sound. The result is a hybrid of alternative metal, punk, and traditional Greek music—drawing on Annouli’s heritage—that feels as immediate on vinyl as it does on digital.
The track list is: 1. Macho Bullshit 2. Feral Mother 3. We Are Nature 4. Arm The Animals 5. Bind 6. Sacred Water 7. Shriek 8. Me Her And The Birds 9. Be That Whore
Annouli explained that the album’s title derives from a lyric on the closing track, “Be That Whore.” She described the record as a response to a world she felt was “splitting open” amid societal and ecological collapse.
“Arm The Animals” serves as a direct call to animal rights, depicting a world where animals retaliate against those who hunt for sport. The band stated the song “pictures a world where animals take revenge for the cruelty they have endured” and functions as a war cry for cows, pigs, birds, and foxes. The accompanying video reinforces this message and aligns with HAWXX’s broader activist agenda.
In addition to the album release, HAWXX announced an expanded autumn tour. The trio will perform in September and October 2026 at venues across the UK, with tickets available through their website.
The album’s raw production and politically charged content have positioned HAWXX as a distinctive voice in the heavy‑music scene. Their previous work has been highlighted at major festivals such as Download, Bloodstock, Brighton Pride, Boomtown, and GrrrFest, and they have opened for acts including Tremonti and The Raven Age. The band’s commitment to activism is evident in performances such as the release of “Resistance Is Justified” outside a courthouse in support of the Filton 24.
The World Splits Open is now streaming on Apple Music and other platforms. The vinyl edition, pre‑ordered through the band’s site, includes a booklet with lyrics, behind‑the‑scenes photographs, and design by Milk & Bone.
The release marks a continuation of HAWXX’s mission to give a voice to the voiceless, blending fierce musicianship with a clear political stance. The album’s availability and upcoming tour provide fans and new listeners with a direct entry point into the band’s evolving catalog.
HAWXX—vocalist‑guitarist Annouli Papadimitriou, guitarist Hannah Staphnill, and drummer Jessica Dann—has carved a niche in the heavy‑music scene with high‑energy, politically charged shows. Their debut, Earth, Spit, Blood And Bones, produced singles such as “Death Makes Sisters Of Us All” and “The Worst Thing” and drew praise from Metal Hammer, Kerrang!, and Distorted Sound. The trio’s music is rooted in feminist principles and activism around Palestine, climate catastrophe, and trans and queer liberation.
The new album was recorded in a single, three‑week stint at Middlefarm Studios in Devon under the guidance of producer Pete Miles. In a deliberate departure from studio polish, the band recorded all ten tracks live in one room, rejecting click tracks, quantizing, and vocal automation to preserve the raw, expressive quality of their stage sound. The result is a hybrid of alternative metal, punk, and traditional Greek music—drawing on Annouli’s heritage—that feels as immediate on vinyl as it does on digital.
The track list is: 1. Macho Bullshit 2. Feral Mother 3. We Are Nature 4. Arm The Animals 5. Bind 6. Sacred Water 7. Shriek 8. Me Her And The Birds 9. Be That Whore
Annouli explained that the album’s title derives from a lyric on the closing track, “Be That Whore.” She described the record as a response to a world she felt was “splitting open” amid societal and ecological collapse.
“Arm The Animals” serves as a direct call to animal rights, depicting a world where animals retaliate against those who hunt for sport. The band stated the song “pictures a world where animals take revenge for the cruelty they have endured” and functions as a war cry for cows, pigs, birds, and foxes. The accompanying video reinforces this message and aligns with HAWXX’s broader activist agenda.
In addition to the album release, HAWXX announced an expanded autumn tour. The trio will perform in September and October 2026 at venues across the UK, with tickets available through their website.
The album’s raw production and politically charged content have positioned HAWXX as a distinctive voice in the heavy‑music scene. Their previous work has been highlighted at major festivals such as Download, Bloodstock, Brighton Pride, Boomtown, and GrrrFest, and they have opened for acts including Tremonti and The Raven Age. The band’s commitment to activism is evident in performances such as the release of “Resistance Is Justified” outside a courthouse in support of the Filton 24.
The World Splits Open is now streaming on Apple Music and other platforms. The vinyl edition, pre‑ordered through the band’s site, includes a booklet with lyrics, behind‑the‑scenes photographs, and design by Milk & Bone.
The release marks a continuation of HAWXX’s mission to give a voice to the voiceless, blending fierce musicianship with a clear political stance. The album’s availability and upcoming tour provide fans and new listeners with a direct entry point into the band’s evolving catalog.