Axxis – 'Eyes of Darkness'
Released on Massacre Records in 2001
THE BAND:
Bernhard Weiss – lead vocals, guitar
Harry Dellers – keys, guitar, vocals
Guido Wehmeyer – lead guitar, vocals
Kuno Niemeyer – bass, vocals
Ritchie Michalski – drums, vocals
TRACK FRAGMENTS:
1.) “Eyes of Darkness (chapter 1)” –This track opens with a spoken vocal
section. After the spoken vocal section, the songs musical intro kicks off with
a small singing arrangement. The musical intro kicks off with a pretty decent
drum fill. There really isn’t a musical intro to the song. Once the song kicks
in so does the vocals. After the first chorus there is a huge lead scale, it’s
really to repetitive to be considered an actual solo. The lead scale leads the
song into the break down section of the song. The second half of the solo was
done as a twin guitar solo.
2.) “Wonderland” –This track opens with a real huge Lenny Kravitz guitar riff.
One thing that really caught my ear through the verse was the huge bass line; I
mean this guy is thumping it. The vocal arrangements have a very progressive
influence to them. The track also kind of has an abstract pattern to it. The
pattern was set up in such away it would make a great live song.
3.) “The Four Horseman” –This track opens with a classic progressive intro. The
verses where a little on the draggy side vocally. You can hear that the verse
is supposed to be real dramatic but it kind of misses the mark. Through the
pre-chorus the vocal arrangement has a very distinct ‘Yes’ feel them. After
the second chorus there is a real huge lead scale behind the vocal pattern that
leads into the guitar solo.
4.) “Brand New World” –This track opens with a very subtle ‘ELP’ type intro.
You can really hear the ‘ELP’ influence on the lead vocals and backing
harmonies. The solo pretty mush stays in line with the vocal arrangement and
was done with an effects pedal. The ballad builds with intensity and it goes
along.
5.) “When the Sun goes Down” –This track opens with an awesome bass line. The
main intro section has an orchestrated piece that really fills in the gaps. The
drummer plays a pretty standard double bass pattern for progressive style
music.
6.) “Shadow of the Light” –This track opens with a very progressive vocal
arrangement along with a melodic rock musical direction. If it were not for the
‘Yes’ vocal style the song would not really sounds all that progressive. The
choruses backing vocals give the song a huge hook. The solo before the bridge
is very laid back and short. There is a longer solo after the bridge that is
longer and a little more intense.
7.) “Keep Flying” –This track opens with a acoustic guitar pattern. When the
vocals kick in the song takes on a medium tempo sound to it. The chorus is very
repetitive and does not suit the arrangement to well. The solo if that’s what
you call it was turned way down. There is a keyboard rhythm solo that closes the
song.
8.) “Battlefield of Life” – At times through the verse the vocal arrangement
almost has a Beatles effect to them. The guitar pattern is pretty
straightforward. The arrangement behind the lead scale was something I had
never heard and really is the only high light.
9.) “One Million Faces”-This track opens with an early nineties metal pattern.
The vocal arrangement of the chorus has a Norway eighties metal feel to them.
The track has several lead scales behind the chorus, which really makes the
track.
10.) “At the Crack of Dawn” –This heavy rocker opens wit a huge guitar rhythm
pattern. The songs musical arrangement has a real stinking groove. From the
arrangement you can tell this would be a great live song. All in all, the track
has a British metal feel. I was real impressed with the solo arrangement for
the song.
11.) “Angel”-This track opens with a keyboard arrangement. When the vocals kick
in there is a n acoustic guitar pattern behind it. Which gives the track a
‘Beatles’, ‘ELP’ effect. Musically this is a huge track. Lyrically it was just
a little ‘ELP’ for my taste. But non-the less it is a ballad. The solo
arrangement was set up in a huge eighties metal style. I was real impressed
with the backing harmonies.
12.) “Larger than Life”-This hard rocker has a real kicking beat. The songs
arrangement has an eighties ‘Iron Maiden’ feel to it musically. Musically this
is a well-rounded and writing track.
13) “Lost in Love” (bonus musical edit)-This ballad opens with an
acoustic guitar pattern. The guitar and vocal arrangement give the song a very
subtle feel to it. This track alone shows the vocalist singing ability. At
times the track has a ”Silent Lucidity” feel to it.
This CD has its ups and downs musically. I personally do not listen to
progressive much, mainly because as a musician myself it takes way to much
brainpower to decipher all the dramatics within the arrangement.
But for the progressive music fans out there who are into, ‘Yes’, and
‘ELP’ than this is a must have.