Axemen - Three Virgins, Three Versions, Three Visions (1986)

Originally released on the inestimable Flying Nun label, Three Virgins came and went in the blink of an eye in the mid-’80s. After dormancy a mere quarter century in duration, this beguiling masterwork sees the light of day once again courtesy of Siltbreeze. Setting up shop in Christchurch’s State Trinity Centre over Easter holidays 1985, Axemen went to work recording every sound and second they could capture during the legendary lost weekend. Fueled by enhanced adrenalin (Tiger Blood) and superhuman zeal (Adonis DNA), they chewed up dozens of reels of tape, assaulting all those who entered the erstwhile ecclesiastical chamber with a barrage of splendiferous blabber ’n’ croak. The resultant 88 minutes sound like a mutant hybrid of Trout Mask Replica, Exile on Main Street and Tago Mago. Add to the pot one of the most eye-popping post-psychedelic full-color gatefold jackets ever designed in the brief history of time and you’ve got a dazzling, exultant combination that could only be described as winning!

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