About Tasman Axeman — Progressive Rock Musician & Composer

My early music influences were 70's rock - Hendrix, Wishbone Ash, Deep Purple, Pink Floyd, Supertramp, Cream, Genesis and Yes.  I was lucky enough to live in London at a time when most of these bands were playing in the local pubs!  I later became smitten with the lush textures and style of Vangelis.  In the last few years I have been spellbound by the technical prowess and emotional power of European Symphonic Metal bands such as Delain, Nightwish, and Within Temptation.

Long-form concept albums such as Dark Side Of The Moon, Tubular Bells, and War Of The Worlds have felt so fulfilling that I wanted to explore the idea of creating my own long-form concept album - but as a continuing storyline, told through chapters, as a musical adventure.  I currently plan to release each chapter as an EP.

I have a background in electronics, coding, and audio engineering, and decided that any project I embark on would have to be 100% my creation, from concept, storyline, lyrics, recording, mixing, through to final mastering and publication.  It may or may not be perfect, but I can call it mine.

Which brings me to Goldilocks - a world I am building in sound and story.

This is not a traditional album, but an unfolding myth. It is a living, continuing narrative where music, lyrics, and lore are inextricably linked. Each track acts as a new chapter, and the backstory and lyrics are interwoven into each song.  The text may even be eventually woven into a book - a companion to the sounds you hear.

The project was born from a fascination with irreversible journeys - the moment a decision is made and return is no longer an option. Goldilocks explores this territory, posing the question: is this deep-space ambition an act of ultimate courage, or a descent into madness?

My process is one of discovery rather than construction. The lore provides the foundation, dictating the emotional arc and the lyrical path, while the music serves as the atmosphere of this world. Stylistically, this manifests as a blend of my classic rock guitarist roots with the cinematic influence of Pink Floyd and Vangelis, all underscored by the power of European Symphonic Metal. I lean into strong melodic structures and heavy contrast—marrying female-led vocal lines with guitar-driven intensity and orchestral synthesis to map out the journey.

In this sense, Goldilocks is more than a project. It is a place I am building, one note and one page at a time.