#axxis

Axxis - The Big Thrill. 04/03/1993

Before power metal was understood and accepted as a subgenre, acts like Helloween were frequently referred to as “happy metal”- as in, these bands were playing a style of speedy and melodic metal that wasn’t glam or pop, but had an undeniable good cheer (“Future World” basically summed it all up).  And fellow countrymen Axxis very much followed suit, as “Kings Made of Steel” sounded joyous even as it bashed skulls.  Kingdom of the Night’s closing track straddled the line between hard rock and heavy metal, and Bernhard Weiß’ vocals played like a cross between Michael Kiske and David Lee Roth, which certainly contributed to the general happy feeling.  Beyond the singing, the music marched with metallic intent, though it didn’t have the stun gun force of late ‘80s Helloween and was definitely lacking the kill factor of golden-era thrash.  What “Kings Made of Steel” ultimately was, was a cheerful tune that didn’t sweat the small stuff in its rush to celebrate the glory of heavy metal.

Axxis - Utopia. 28/08/2009

Axxis | Utopia