Inspired by their idols Kiss, two childhood friends Stefaan Lambrecht (guitar / vocals) and Ben Smeesters (guitar / leadvocals) form the Belgian band Axel. A bunch of songs were written by Stefaan and Ben before drummer Filip Zahirovic and bassplayer Frank Jacobs joined the band. The first gig in 1982 didn't pass unnoticed, on a local festival they were proclaimed to be the loudest band. The first recordings happened with two new musicians. Lead guitarist Benny Bulte and bassplayer Wim Neirinck joined Axel and the first demo "Attack I" was a fact. March 1984 founding member Ben Smeesters left the band because of personal reasons. A new singer, Jerry Vanschelvergem, came in to record the second demo "Effort II". In 1985 the song "Money" appeared on the compilation album "Speed Metal Hell" by the American record label New Renaissance and was followed by the new demo "We Won't Give Up". In the same year yet another song, "Sweet Burning Angel", appeared on the compilation EP "Metal Power V" on the Dutch Iceman label. The band got very well known in Belgium and Holland through a lot of shows in clubs and local festivals. Unfortunately the singer got some difficulties with his vocal chords by the intensity of gigs, so he had to leave in the summer of 1986. He got replaced by the new lead singer Denis Nagels, this man had a very powerful voice and this led to a more Heavy Metal style of music. In November 1986 they went into a professional studio in Brussels to record 5 new songs (the renowned "24-track" demo). A new musical highlight for Axel that gave them the opportunity for a record deal but the band did split up and no album has ever been released. Presented in a 12-page booklet with some lyrics, rare pictures and memorabilia, this double CDs compiles all the demos of the first era of the band from the rawer Hard Rock from the first demo to the much refined Heavy Metal in the vein of Ostrogoth of their 86 Demo. A true testimony of the golden era of Belgian Steel!
