AXXIS

Paradise in Flames

The new AXXIS release PARADISE IN FLAMES will be released in 20th January 2006.
With the nice female singer LAKONIA the band recorded a wonderfull album again. The new songs were mixed by Dennis Ward (PC69) and mastered by Jürgen Lusky from the House of Audio studios in Karlsdorf/Germany.

Before the release I was really happy to take a listen to the new material and I've never expected such a great amount of power and amazing melodies.The bonus material is far better than just a bonus. With the song Break your soul in the background, AXXIS produced "the Making of"-Video clip with funny impressions during the production... You can see them in their own Soundworxx-Studio, in the bathroom, playing table soccer etc.

„Okay. We’re doing it slightly different today“, a happy Axxis-singer is telling the people at the live show. “I won’t talk as much as I normally do today.” Nevertheless talking is one of the many skills the frontman has – the frontman of a band that is as good in writing songs as it is in being human and down to earth.

Without any doubt: Bernhard Weiss is a natural born entertainer that never gets exhausted. And Axxis are a natural born live band that has been rocking the block for 15 years.With „Paradise In Flames“, their ninth album in the meanwhile, they can prove that once more. Retiring is very far from where they are. Similar to their last album „Time Machine“ Axxis have again put their focus on heavyness. The band presents itself dynamic and heavy, without forgetting their typical hymnal choruses. Atmospheric, bombastic choirs and tunes that are easy to sing along with rule the songs and know how to convince. And there`s not many words necessary to describe that anymore.

For a couple of years the band has already been having their own Soundwoxx Studio, in which they write, arrange and record all of the songs. Again, keyboarder Harry Oellers and singer Bernhard Weiss have done the whole production on their own to achieve a self confident, charming album that could be forwarded to their old fellow and friend Dennis Ward (House Of Audio-Studios, Karlsdorf, a.o. Pink Cream 69) for mixing and mastering. Again the result of this working process is an excellent rocking album that is equally “paradise” than “in flames”. Just like listening in paradise and though full of energy, freshness and fire. I ought to dig deeper into the Axxis backcatalogue, cause listening to “Paradise in Flames” is a pretty serious experience, and if their previous recordings are just near as good as this one is, I am certainly up for a good listening experience. “Paradise in Flames” is my first contact with the German band that has been together for several years now.

Axxis is powermetal with a capital P. Their sound is way more aggressive than I’ve heard from other bands in the same genre. The riffs are razorsharp and the drums are pounding in a way that would give old Thor wet eyes. And combined with the female vocals from singer Lakonia and the clean vocal choir, there’s a horror-like kind of sound, which is best observed on the 4^th song on the album: “Dance With The Dead” which gives me the chills, when listening to it. It’s a song that is bound to be a classic, and in power-play at all major radio stations.

The high level of quality is maintained throughout the entire album, which is also very well produced, and a must-have for any power-metal fan out there. The cover art is the least likeable part of the album. On the front there’s a winged babe dressed in black, swinging a sword with the right hand, as she is riding a armoured stallion that looks to be tattooed.  In the background a city is submerging in flames, as the volcano is spitting out its deadly content, while giant bats are flying around it Very cliché and something Axxis should spend more energy on next time.

The album is available from app. 20/01 2006.

The music does the talking. Besides the real heavy groove probably. “With Axxis it has always been the songs that were most important”, Bernhard explains. “They have to rock. And 15 years ago there has been a different level for “rock”. Nowadays you have to be a lot heavier to be considered as rocking.“

Seeing the signs of time without losing their own roots is the secret Axxis are keeping. And with it, attractive female singer Lakonia belongs. While she only did some choirs on „Time Machine“, she now is singing a couple of songs together with Bernhard. A fact that surely causes a nice fresh flavour that matches perfectly to the Axxis-typical sound and even lifts it onto a new level.

Sleeping on their own success has never been the motto of the band for sure. For more than 15 years the band has been influencing especially the German Hardrock scene a lot. Until now they are one of the bands having the most dedicated fans ever. Wherever the guys are playing, the venues are full and the mood can`t be any better. Axxis have gained cult status – and not only within the Hardrock world. They have become a constant high quality milestone in an – apart from them - not very constant music business. And they have their very own charm that can’t possibly be compared with anyone else. Allowed is what is human, thereby. Though being around for so many years in the professional music industry the guys have kept their humour.

http://www.axxis.de/

The album is avaliable for sale at:

http://www.targetshop.dk/showProduct.html?ID=18860