AXLS: First Contact - The Game

English synth-pop trio AXLS have unveiled First Contact The Game, as a companion for their debut album, "reviving the almost lost art of recording a concept album. First Contact is a haunting collection of Eighties-inspired Sci-Fi songs".

Are you ready to take on aliens and save the Earth? Help Alias defend humanity against the Boneships, only you have what it takes.

First Contact: The Game' is a free to play game which takes inspiration from the classic retro era of video games. It places the player directly in the action of our story as they take on the alien enemies in their ‘Boneships’, all set to tracks from the album. The enemies slowly get more persistent as the game goes on and you will eventually meet the boss – mother Boneship (as seen featured on our album art)!

Play First Contact The Game here. Note: it only works on desktops, not on phones and tablets.

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HCTF review of First Contact.

AXLS: First Contact

English synth-pop trio AXLS go against the grain with reviving the almost lost art of recording a concept album. First Contact is a haunting collection of Eighties-inspired Sci-Fi songs. Extraterrestrials invite people in for a visit to their spaceship, an obvious scheme that is accepted without asking questions. No spoilers! In order to discover the outcome of the ensuing battle - with rockets and mind control struggling to get the upper hand - set aside 40 minutes or so and brace yourself for a journey through both outer and inner space.

Humming along as you are brandishing an air weapon pf choice is optional, but highly recommended. Singer Vic stars as Alias, a woman who fights back. She is one of the rare people who is immune to the addictive virtual reality trap that is used by the aliens to take over the Planet Earth. With synth player Chris and bass ace Nathan by her side she leads the dance on the volcano. AXLS is a crack team, an electronic power trio that could go far.

AXLS: Integration

English synth-pop trio AXLS have found the middle ground of progressive and popular electro on their third single Integration. Extraterrestrial investors are taking over humankind, using an addictive virtual world scheme. Both scary and danceable it is a throwback to the Sci-Fi inspired music of the Eighties - dancing on a volcano before the whole shithouse goes up in flames.

HCTF premiere - AXLS: Alias

English synth-pop trio AXLS have released another single from their forthcoming album about Earth's conquest by seemingly benign aliens. Alias tells the story of a woman who fights back. She is one of the rare people who is immune to the addictive virtual reality scheme that is used to take over the planet.

The band uses the blueprint of early Eighties synth-pop, with repetitive synths, pulsating beats and quit a bit of echo on the vocals. A haunting yet accessible piece of old school dance music that could have been slipped into the Ready Player One or Guardians of the Galaxy soundtrack.

HCTF premiere - AXLS: ICBM

English synth-pop trio AXLS tap into the classic Sc-Fi fear of first alien contact that could be fatal for Earth. The visitors of from outerspace are unimpressed by the ICBMs (intercontinental ballistic missiles) that are fired at them. This band used an early Eighties inspired rhythm track, while they sing about mind control, trying to reassure themselves - perhaps against better judgement - that they got this.

While the outcome of this intergalactic war is unsure, they have managed to write a dance anthem that will put a spring in the step of those fighting for the third rock from the sun. Recommended if you like Propaganda and New Order.

ICBM is a self-released single. Release date: March 21.