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
Don't bring Me down
Axxis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In the endless world wide web
A million spiders crawling - I never saw this yet
Instructions how to kill and to announce your suicide
People who wanna die could read advices like:
''Don't stop, don't be late - kill yourself don't wait
Now is the time to show if you really wanna go!''
I was shocked about this
This community of death
Where members push people to take their last breath
Buy drugs!
Deadly cocktails! This is the point of no return
One step into the fire and you will burn
Let us pray to god
Don't drag me down - leave the spiders on their net
Let them crawl - don't carry out your threat
Don't drag me down - only when you really seek
There's something you will find don't listen now
Shadows are crawling
I'm walking through this modern graveyard
Where people boast about their deeds
Future victims talking
All this makes my flesh creep
Sometimes - isolated
Behind a mask - out of control
A fall into silence, into a deep hole
Don't stare at the screen - susceptible to poison
Don't give up and go - back to real life
And I pray loud
Don't drag me down - leave the spiders on their net
Let them crawl - don't carry out your threat
Don't drag me down - life is better than it seems
Don't listen now when you can hear the shadows crawling
Don't drag me down - leave the spiders on their net
Let them crawl - don't carry out your threat
Don't drag me down - life is better than it seems
Don't listen now when you can hear the shadows crawling
Don't drag, drag me down into this modern graveyard
Don't drag, drag me down don't let me fall
In Axxis's song "Don't Bring Me Down," the lyrics discuss the dangers of the internet and the harm it can bring to those who are susceptible to certain websites or communities. The singer speaks about the dangers of getting lost in the endless world wide web and being subjected to a community of death where members push people to take their last breath. They touch on individuals reading advices on how to kill themselves or how to make deadly cocktails. The singer implores listeners to not become trapped in this community and to seek help if they feel susceptible to this type of influence.
The lyrics also highlight the idea of isolation and being out of control, where people fall into silence and into a deep hole. The singer advises listeners to not stare at the screen susceptible to poison and to not give up and go back to real life. They pray for those who may be struggling and hope that they will not be dragged down into this modern graveyard. The shadows are crawling, and it's crucial not to listen to them when the dangers of the internet and the community of death lurk nearby.
Line by Line Meaning
I get lost in jungle
I feel overwhelmed and disoriented when using the internet
In the endless world wide web
The internet is vast and without clear boundaries
A million spiders crawling - I never saw this yet
There are many harmful and dangerous things lurking on the internet that I have not yet encountered
Instructions how to kill and to announce your suicide
There are online communities that provide explicit instructions on how to end one's own life and how to publicize it
People who wanna die could read advices like:
Those who are contemplating suicide may find advice and guidance on how to carry it out
''Don't stop, don't be late - kill yourself don't wait
There are people who encourage others to end their lives immediately without any hesitation
Now is the time to show if you really wanna go!''
Some individuals may see suicide as a test of one's commitment to dying
I was shocked about this
The discovery of these online communities promoting suicide was extremely disturbing to me
This community of death
These online groups promote and glorify death as a solution to life's problems
Where members push people to take their last breath
There are individuals within these communities who goad and encourage others to end their lives
Buy drugs!
There are online vendors who sell drugs that can be used to end one's own life
Deadly cocktails! This is the point of no return
These drugs can be combined in toxic combinations that are final and irreversible
One step into the fire and you will burn
Once a person begins down the path of suicide, there is no turning back
Let us pray to god
The singer suggests turning towards faith and spirituality as an alternative to suicide
Don't drag me down - leave the spiders on their net
The singer does not want to be pulled into the dangerous and deadly world of online suicide communities
Let them crawl - don't carry out your threat
The artist urges anyone contemplating suicide not to follow through with it
Don't drag me down - only when you really seek
The artist advises seeking help and support from loved ones rather than turning to suicide
There's something you will find don't listen now
There is hope and help available to those struggling with suicidal thoughts, but they must be willing to seek it out
Shadows are crawling
The danger of suicide and the harm caused by online suicide communities is ever-present
I'm walking through this modern graveyard
The internet can be a dangerous and deadly place, with online communities promoting suicide and self-harm
Where people boast about their deeds
There are those who use the internet to publicize and glorify their suicidal actions
Future victims talking
People who are contemplating suicide may be influenced by those who have already taken their own lives, leading to a cycle of self-harm and despair
All this makes my flesh creep
The singer is disturbed and frightened by the prevalence of suicide and self-harm on the internet
Sometimes - isolated
People who are struggling with suicidal thoughts may feel alone and cut off from others
Behind a mask - out of control
Those who are contemplating suicide may feel like they are living a double life, hiding their true feelings and emotions from others
A fall into silence, into a deep hole
Depression and suicidal thoughts can lead to feelings of utter despair and hopelessness
Don't stare at the screen - susceptible to poison
The internet can be a negative and harmful influence, particularly for those who struggle with mental health issues
Don't give up and go - back to real life
The artist suggests disconnecting from the internet and reconnecting with real-life relationships and activities
And I pray loud
The artist seeks solace and hope through prayer and spirituality
Life is better than it seems
The singer suggests that there is hope and happiness to be found in life, even when things seem bleak
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind