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
Message In A Bottle
Axxis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
An island lost at sea, oh
Another lonely day
No one here but me, oh
More loneliness
Any man could bear
Rescue me before I fall into despair
I'll send an SOS to the world
I hope that someone gets my
I hope that someone gets my
I hope that someone gets my
Message in a bottle, yeah
Message in a bottle, yeah
A year has passed since I wrote my note
I should have known this right from the start
Only hope can keep me together
Love can mend your life
But love can break your heart
I'll send an SOS to the world
I'll send an SOS to the world
I hope that someone gets my
I hope that someone gets my
I hope that someone gets my
Message in a bottle, yeah
Message in a bottle, yeah
Hoh
Message in a bottle, yeah
Message in a bottle, yeah
Walked out this morning
Don't believe what I saw
A hundred billion bottles
Washed up on a shore
Seems I'm not alone at being alone
A hundred billion castaways
Lookin' for a home
I'll send an SOS to the world
I'll send an SOS to the world
I hope that someone gets my
I hope that someone gets my
I hope that someone gets my
Message in a bottle, yeah
Message in a bottle, yeah
Message in a bottle, hoh
Message in a bottle, yeah
Sendin' out an SOS
Sendin' out an SOS
Sendin' out an SOS
The lyrics of Axxis's "Message in a Bottle" tell the story of a castaway stranded on a deserted island, feeling isolated and alone. He sends a message in a bottle, hoping that someone will rescue him from his loneliness and despair. The song explores the theme of human connection and the power of communication.
The first verse sets the scene of the lonely castaway, emphasizing the depth of his isolation. The chorus emphasizes the urgency of his plea for help, as he sends out an SOS to the world. The second verse reflects on the passage of time and the challenges of staying hopeful in the face of isolation. The bridge introduces a twist, as the castaway discovers that he is not the only one stranded on an island, and that there are countless other lonely souls searching for connection.
Overall, "Message in a Bottle" is a poignant and powerful song that speaks to the human need for connection and hope. It is a reminder that even in our darkest moments, we are never truly alone.
Line by Line Meaning
Just a castaway
I am stranded and adrift in loneliness
An island lost at sea, oh
I am lost, like an island drifting in rough, open seas
Another lonely day
This is another day where I am alone and without hope
No one here but me, oh
For miles around, there is no one in sight
More loneliness
The feeling of isolation is overwhelming and beyond measure
Any man could bear
This situation could drive any man to the limits of despair
Rescue me before I fall into despair
Someone please save me before I lose all hope and give up completely
I'll send an SOS to the world
I am reaching out to anyone who may be able to help me, from around the globe
I hope that someone gets my
I pray that my signal will be received by someone who knows how to help
Message in a bottle, yeah
I am sending this message out in desperation, clutching at straws
A year has passed since I wrote my note
I have been here, isolated and alone, for a whole year
I should have known this right from the start
I wonder why I put myself in this situation in the first place, knowing that it could turn out this way
Only hope can keep me together
The only thing that is holding me up and keeping me from falling apart entirely is the faint promise of rescue
Love can mend your life
The thought of love, and its healing properties, keeps me focused and sane
But love can break your heart
However, the thought of lost love, or love that is impossible to attain, can also plunge one into despair
Walked out this morning
As I venture outside again today, I am filled with trepidation and anxiety
Don't believe what I saw
The sight of so many bottles littering the shoreline is both shocking and depressing
A hundred billion bottles
There are so many other people out there, just like me, who may be looking for a way out
Washed up on a shore
They have all ended up here, lost and alone, like me
Seems I'm not alone at being alone
I realize now that I am not the only one in this position
A hundred billion castaways
There are countless others who have been stranded, and who are looking for a way to escape
Lookin' for a home
We are all searching for a way back to our lives and to the people we love
Sendin' out an SOS
I am sending out another plea for help, hoping that someone out there will hear me and come to my rescue
Writer(s): STING
Contributed by Molly S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.