Interview: Iron Axxis Talk Influences, New EP '2286', and Their Love of Guitar
Hailing from Brooklyn, NY and bonding over their love of guitar legends like Eddie Van Halen, the members of Iron Axxis have been working to carve out a niche for themselves with a unique styling of guitar-driven instrumental music. The duo, comprised of Anupam Shobhakar and Phil Duke, have been getting ready to release their forthcoming EP, 2286, with lead single “Way of the Warrior” offering fans a taste of the progressive instrumentation and arrangements to accompany it in February.
The duo of Shobhakar and Duke sat down for a brief interview with Shameless SF to discuss the EP, their favorite guitarists, and the moment they knew their collaboration was going to work.
How did the two of you meet? When did you first know that the collaboration between the two of you were going to work?
We (Anupam & Phil ) met at a local show and immediately connected through common shared interests- 80s guitar music, classic metal, the guitar scene.
When we started playing, recording the music and hanging out, we knew our shared interests would blossom.
About how long from that initial meeting did it take to get into the studio and begin writing?
We met ten years ago, were in a previous project and did other studio work before Iron Axxis. Iron Axxis came about from the love of guitar music and we started recording a year ago.
You’re currently in the studio working on your new EP, 2286. Fans got a taste of material with the release of your music video for “Way of the Warrior”. There’s obviously a great deal of progressive guitar-work at the front and center of the recording. Would you say the EP is a continuation of the “Way of the Warrior” sound, or did you find yourselves exploring many influences?
“Way of the Warrior” is a snapshot into our sound, the way we think about guitar music is essentially metal but with a lot of colors and influences. There’s varied peaks and valleys, though at the core it’s metal guitar music. You’ll have to take a listen!
Who would you say are some of your biggest influences as far as your guitar work goes?
Both of us have common influences but varied in a way. Common influences are Eddie Van Halen, Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, Allan Holdsworth, John McLaughlin, Marty Friedman, Shawn Lane, Dimebag Darrell and all of Pantera, George Lynch, Yngwie Malmsteen, Al DiMeola, Paco Delucia, Eric Johnson. Pretty eclectic for both of us. From rock/metal to jazz/fusion to beyond.
When is the EP slated to be released, and what can fans expect in the meantime leading up to the release?
The EP will be released Feb 2, 2024. It will be called ‘2286’. Fans can expect a live show Nov 28th this month in NYC, a new single/video the Friday after Dec 2nd. More content and EP release shows [to be announced] come January.
Stay up to date with Iron Axxis by visiting their website here.
