Search - Axxis :: Kingdom of Night

It is how it all began

05/15/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Axxis is a band from Germany and even in this part of Europe they are not quite well known. But no matter what this album is great. It is somewhat very catchy right from the start. Even if you get a little bit upset in the begining because of the lead singers high voice you will definately get to love this album. It is hard rock to put it plain and simple. Pure, unchanged by any at this time popular streams. No compromises being made and that is good."

Scorpions/Helloween-style melodic hard rock

Justin Gaines | Northern Virginia | 06/26/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Long running German melodic hard rock band Axxis hit the scene in 1990 with their debut album Kingdom of the Night. Considering the era and country from which they emerged, you'd expect them to sound like fellow German rockers Scorpions or Helloween. The truth is; Axxis sounds like...OK, so they sound exactly like a cross between those two bands.



Maybe that's not such a bad thing. What Kingdom of the Night lacks in originality, it more than makes up for by being an enjoyable listening experience. It is a solid album full of Scorpions-style rockers and ballads, with aspects of Helloween (specifically the melodies and fantasy-themed lyrics) thrown in for good measure. The combination makes for a good mix of the melodic hard rock and power metal styles. There are also some very distinctive vocals, courtesy of Bernhard Weiss, whose voice has since become Axxis's most memorable characteristic.



Fans of power metal and melodic rock, specifically bands like Scorpions, Helloween, Gamma Ray and Bonfire, should find Kingdom of the Night to be an enjoyable album as long as they are not expecting something totally unique.



NOTE: The CD version of Kingdom of the Night features a nearly acoustic alternate version of "Kingdom of the Night" as a bonus track."