Founded in 1982 in Wuppertal, North Rhine-Westphalia, Axe Victims are considered part of the first wave of German metal. A year later, the Belgian label Mausoleum Records released their debut LP, Another Victim, recorded by Frank Fanfare (vocals), Tom Bohn (guitar), Rowland Hag (guitar), Holger George (bass), and Martin Rocco (drums). The band then worked diligently on a follow-up album, which never saw the light of day. Until now. According to drummer Martin Rocco, Hypnotized (produced with the help of sound engineer Glenn Pocorny) picks up seamlessly where Another Victim left off and comes across as a typical mid-80s mix of Saxon, Priest, Accept, and above all Def Leppard, and the music has stood the test of time.