This album was a big turning point in the career of this five-piece band. Produced by Joey Balin and recorded in Philadelphia, it was the first international production by AXXIS.
In the following years AXXIS had traveled thousands of miles. One if the most impressive destinations was Japan, where Bernhard Weiss and guitarist Walter Pietsch performed a couple of acoustic live shows due to the release of the Japanese only CD "Profile". The band became known worldwide!
The album "Matters Of Survival" was produced in Los Angeles in 1995, the city of angels which is uncritically praised as a Metal capitol by some, a city where glamor, violence and homelessness live together very closely. An impression, which was responsible for the choice of the album title.
With Keith Olsen (FLEETWOOD MAC, WHITESNAKE, FOREIGNER, SCORPIONS) the band had a producer who had already worked in the biz since 25 years. Olsen had visited the band in Germany first and both together chose the 12 best songs from the original 30 demo tracks and committed the arrangements. Afterwords they flew over to Los Angeles where Olsen is running his Goodnight L.A.-Studio.
AXXIS especially see themselves as a live band. At a perfect gig, as Bernhard Weiss once said, the own hands have to glow. "It is the best possibility to play your music", says Weiss, "already alone because of the chance of getting so close to your fans." So, the performances at "Rock am Ring" in front of 30 000 spectators were for sure important highlights of the years 1994 and 1996!
To keep on moving into new directions was a principle which this Hard Rock band from the "Ruhrgebiet" had always followed. If you have a look on “Kingdom Of The Night” (`89), “Axxis II” (`91), “The Big Thrill “(`93), “Matters Of Survival” (`95) or “Voodoo Vibes” (97), the latest album by the band, they had always avoided to repeat themselves.
AXXIS do, of course, have their basic sound, their roots are lying within the traditional Heavy Rock of the 70's and 80's, they have found their very own style which is orientated on hooks like "Living In A World". This song is still regarded as a hymn at every show and, as Walter says, the best example for a typical AXXIS song. Bernard's unique vocal style is another characteristic trademark, which makes AXXIS' sound unique. But the cover on these basics is very different anytime. The permanent move can be found within the details.
AXXIS' major ambition is, as Walter adds, "to be a pure Rock 'n' Roll band", and to wash away any doubt, “Voodoo Vibes” became the most Rockin' album since the very early days. The heavy guitars remind the listener a lot on the intensive “Punch” of the debut album.
The production this time was done by the band itself for the very first time. After those great lessons in the US by highly skilled producers, AXXIS felt strong enough to handle the complex studio technics alone and to take over the responsibility for it themselves. "The idea for this was invented by our label", says Harry. "We had already produced our demos for a long time before. And as we presented our new demo tapes to our A&R manager, he was not only convinced by the quality of our new material but of the sound of this supposedly rehearsal room recordings as well. He told us to put it on the album as it was. But the songs and especially the vocals weren't completed yet at the time and that was the reason why the idea came up to let us mix it up ourselves. Because of our demos our label gained a lot of confidence in our abilities to produce an album."
Confidence which was confirmed. “Voodoo Vibes”, produced by Bemhard, Walter and Harry with the help of co-producer and engineer Thomas Kemper at Dierks Studios in the outskirts of Cologne, offers a straight and powerful sound from the beginning to the end which couldn't had been done better by an American star producer. The fact that those complete recordings were finished after only 18 days in the studio is a proof for the band's reliability, who according to Walter, "had a little fear to do the job right in the beginning. The band had to deal with new aspects like being responsible for a recording budget and to be judged for anything that might have gone wrong. But finally everything worked perfectly" and it worked so well that AXXIS would like to repeat it again when starting to record the next album. This self-determination will not be missed in the future anymore...
Current Line-Up:
Bernhard Weiß – Vocal
Harry Oellers – Keys
Marco Wriedt – Guitar
Rob Schomaker – Bass
André Hilgers - Drums
Previous members:
Kosta Zafiriou – Drums (on “Time Machine“)
Richard Michalski – Drums (on “Kingdom Of The Night”, “Axxis II”, “Access All Areas”, “The Big Thrill”, “Profile-The Best of Axxis”, “Matters of Survival”, “Voodoo Vibes”, “Sarajevo Exklusiv”, “Back To The Kingdom“, “Collection Of Power” & “Eyes Of Darkness”)
Walter Pietsch – Guitars (on “Kingdom Of The Night”, “Axxis II”, “Access All Areas”, “The Big Thrill”, “Profile-The Best of Axxis”, “Matters of Survival”, “Voodoo Vibes” & “Sarajevo Exklusiv”)
Markus Gfeller – Bass (on “The Big Thrill”, “Profile-The Best of Axxis”, “Matters of Survival”, “Voodoo Vibes” & “Sarajevo Exklusiv”)
Werner Kleinhans – Bass (on “Kingdom Of The Night”, “Axxis II” & “Access All Areas”)
The official site:
http://www.axxis.de
History (english):
http://www.axxis.de/eng_history.html
Angel
Axxis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What is wrong with your world?
Let me hold you my dear
Don't be scared 'cause' I know
All the bad dreams will go
I will drive away your fear
Come close - close to me in this night
All the witches and elfs
I have seen by my self
... A long time ago
Some are good, some are bad
You don't have to feel sad
'cause I'm always with you
You must know - every time - there's somebody at your side
There's someone - taking care - day and night
You've got an angel right beside you
Your helping hand - from heaven send
You've got an angel - always invisible
No more tears - it's hurting me, my dear - my child in fear
Don't be afraid now,
Don't feel sad now
'cause I know all the bad dreams fade away
You've got an angel right beside you
Your helping hand - from heaven sent
There is an angel - always invisible
No more tears - it's hurting me, my dear - my child in fear
The song "Angel" by Axxis is a comforting song that is directed towards a little girl who is scared and perhaps going through a tough time. The song opens with the singer addressing the little girl in a gentle manner, as he asks what is going on in her world that is troubling her. He reassures her that he will hold her close and chase away all her fears. The singer then goes on to talk about his own experiences with witches and elves, which shows that he knows all about worlds that are beyond the normal understanding of a little girl. He then convinces her that she doesn't have to be scared because he is always with her.
The chorus brings in a comforting message of the presence of an angel. The singer tells the little girl that she has an angel by her side that is sent from heaven to provide her with a helping hand in case she needs one. He reassures the little girl that she should not be afraid anymore and that all her bad dreams and fears will go away because she has an angel beside her.
The song is a beautiful and comforting one that not only reassures young children who may be going through tough times but also adults who may need a reminder that there is always a guardian angel watching over them. It is a reminder that we are never truly alone, and that even in our darkest moments, there is always someone watching over us.
Line by Line Meaning
Hello you little girl
Greetings to you, young lady
What is wrong with your world?
What troubles have you encountered in your life?
Let me hold you my dear
Allow me to comfort you, my precious one
Don't be scared 'cause' I know
No need to be frightened because I understand
All the bad dreams will go
All your fears and nightmares will disappear
I will drive away your fear
I will help you overcome your anxieties
Hello you, little girl, I'm always by your side
Greetings to you, young lady, I will never leave you alone
Come close - close to me in this night
Draw near to me for support during this time of darkness
All the witches and elfs
Supernatural beings that exist in stories
I have seen by my self
I have personally witnessed their existence
... A long time ago
Though it was some time in the past
Some are good, some are bad
Some beings are benevolent, while others are malevolent
You don't have to feel sad
You needn't experience sorrow
'cause I'm always with you
Because I will never abandon you
You must know - every time - there's somebody at your side
Be aware that there is always someone alongside you
There's someone - taking care - day and night
Someone is watching after you constantly
You've got an angel right beside you
There is a celestial being next to you
Your helping hand - from heaven send
A beneficial force has been dispatched from above to assist you
You've got an angel - always invisible
Your guardian is not visible but is present nonetheless
No more tears - it's hurting me, my dear - my child in fear
Do not cry, for it pains me to witness you in distress
Don't be afraid now,
Don't be frightened at this moment
Don't feel sad now
You should not be experiencing sorrow currently
'cause I know all the bad dreams fade away
Because I am certain all your negative dreams will dissipate
There is an angel - always invisible
There exists a heavenly being that is unseen
No more tears - it's hurting me, my dear - my child in fear
Stop crying, as it distresses me to witness your trepidation
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MEIR AMAR, TAL WEISS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind