Siekiera was a groundbreaking Polish band that evolved from ferocious hardcore punk to icy, atmospheric post-punk and cold wave between 1983 and 1988. Founded in Puławy by guitarist and lyricist Tomasz Adamski and vocalist Tomasz Budzyński, their early sound was raw, aggressive, and politically charged—earning them cult status after a blistering performance at the 1984 Jarocin Festival. Following lineup changes and Budzyński’s departure to form Armia, Siekiera shifted toward synthesizers and minimalist arrangements, culminating in their 1986 album Nowa Aleksandria, a landmark of Polish new wave influenced by Killing Joke and Joy Division. Though short-lived, Siekiera’s dual legacy—punk fury and cold wave precision—cemented their place as one of Eastern Europe’s most influential underground acts.
