AXXIS - review added 12th August 2009
Album Review: Utopia (2009)
For fans of: Metal... and the occasional dabble with native languages
Axxis, around since the late 80's, have a back catalogue, including live and compilation albums, well into double figures.
Founder members Bernhard Weiss (vocals) and Harry Oellers (keys) are still there giving the band it's trademark sound, but these days are joined by Marco Wriedt (guitars), Rob Schomaker (bass) and Alex Landenburg (drums). Dennis Ward (mixing) and Jürgen Lusky (mastering) join them for this release. Derek Gores is responsible for the cover artwork, and you'd have to say he's done a fantastical job.
Utopia follows 2007's Doom Of Destiny. The sound is interesting - in a good way - and not what you'd necessarily expect from a German Metal outfit. There's an air of melodic dance woven into the tracks that transports you to the shores of Ibiza. The songs are never anything other than heavy, but the strong influence of keyboards and synth's gives the record at least five extra dimensions.
The resulting sound comes across like a techno version of Helloween mixed with Dragonforce, Manowar and the Scorpions. If you described Axxis' sound as European battle dance metal you wouldn't be a million miles away.
The production on Utopia is rich, vibrant and superbly balanced. Bernhard's voice is as characterful as ever and the occasional female backing vocals contrast cleverly with his sharp tongue.
The title track kicks things off in a vivacious manner. It's how Iron Maiden would sound if they featured Liberace and Jean-Michel Jarre. It's a style that's vastly different to 99% of other metal and, it's so successful, you wonder why more bands don't play this way. 'Last Man On Earth' is a tad heavier and less dance-orientated, but the rhythmically funky foot kicking feel doesn't completely disappear. Like many of the tracks, 'Last Man On Earth' isn't built around a huge chorus, it's a complete package that teases the senses from start to finish.
'Fass Mich An' is, rather confusingly for a German band, the first German language song on any of their studio albums (save 'Engel Aus Hass', a bonus track on the previous release). The lead keyboard hook is mighty catchy and, even if you don't speak the lingo, it's hard not to be drawn in. The semi-brutal kick drum section towards the end is a particular high point. The delightfully titled 'Sarah Wanna Die' borders on the forgettable, whilst the megaphonic ballad 'Father's Eyes' is much better. The start hints at a soppy love-fest. Fortunately the track quickly beefs up into an emotion-filled but powerful track.
'The Monster's Crawl' is a cool sounding track with mad lyrics. 'Eyes Of A Child' heads down a symphonic heavy-house route. It's one of the better tracks and really shows off Harry Oellers' skills. 'Heavy Rain' is somewhere between a heavy ballad and a mid-tempo moody rocker. It struggles to get anywhere but is still likeable. 'For You I Will Do' is a pleasant sounding track, whilst final entry 'Underworld' is a heavy and speedy closure to the album.
Utopia is a refreshing listen. The sound is an acquired taste and the songs are hit and miss, but the overall vibe is hugely positive and definitely not hewn from the same ingot as normal heavy metal. For people who fancy dabbling in something drawn from the leftfield, this could be one of the best albums of the year. For everyone else, there's still enough catchiness and rhythms to enjoy.
Check out... Harry's key playing. Cooooool.
Track List:
01. Journey To Utopia
02. Utopia
03. Last Man On Earth
04. Fass mich an
05. Sarah Wanna Die
06. Fathers' Eyes
07. The Monsters Crawl
08. Eyes Of A Child
09. Heavy Rain
10. For You I Will Die
11. Underworld
Label: AFM Records
Artist's website(s): Axxis , MySpace
