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
Time Machine
Axxis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We're born, we live, we die
Clockwork burns in my brain
Flashes are driving me insane
The past is not to change
Only the future can ever be rearranged
I'm on this trip through time and space
- Younger - face to face
I will fly in a time machine
One look - straight back - to you
I will fly in a time machine
One flash - we live - we die
One minute of my life could be
An everlasting journey to eternity
Cause on the day that I die
I would use the time machine - and fly
I'm on this trip through time and space
How would it be to meet each other
- Younger - face to face
I will fly in a time machine
One look - straight back - to you
I will fly in a time machine
One flash - we live - we die
Shadows hideaway but we survive
I invite you to the ride
Across the circle of my life
Hear the clock as time goes by
We're born, we live, we die
I will fly in a time machine
One look - straight back - to you
I will fly in a time machine
As time goes by
We live, we die
One flash
Let us fly
The lyrics of Axxis’s “Time Machine” express the desire to travel back in time to relive moments from the past or encounter individuals in their youth. The ticking clock symbolizes the passage of time, while the insistence on living in the present creates an urgency in the singer to embark on this time travel. However, the chorus’ repetition of “we live, we die,” serves to highlight the finality of death and the realization that time cannot be changed once it passes.
The singer imagines a time machine that would allow them to revisit a certain point in their life in order to gain perspective from their present standpoint. Despite the realization that this is not possible- since the past cannot be changed- the singer continues to ponder what it would feel like. The bridge of the song introduces a note of hope, as the singer mentions that both they and the individual they want to revisit have survived the “shadows” into the present time. The song ends with a call to action, inviting others to join the singer in exploring the mysteries of time travel.
Line by Line Meaning
Hear the clock as time goes by
The singer is acknowledging the passing of time and the ticking of the clock.
We're born, we live, we die
The singer is referencing the inevitability of the human lifecycle that every person goes through.
Clockwork burns in my brain
The singer is feeling consumed by the metaphorical clockwork of time that dictates their every move and thought.
Flashes are driving me insane
The artist is feeling overwhelmed by memories and experiences that they wish they could change.
The past is not to change
The artist is realizing the futility of trying to change the past and the importance of accepting what cannot be changed.
Only the future can ever be rearranged
The singer is acknowledging that the future holds the possibility of change and new opportunities that can be created.
I'm on this trip through time and space
The singer is acknowledging the vastness of time and space, and the insignificance of their existence in the grand scheme of things.
How would it be to meet each other - Younger - face to face
The artist is expressing a desire to meet someone in their past, to see how they were when they were younger, and reflect on both their own and the other person's journey since then.
I will fly in a time machine
The artist is expressing a desire to go back in time and relive a moment they wish they could change.
One look - straight back - to you
The artist is expressing a desire to see someone they have lost or who has changed over time, and they wish to reconnect with them in that moment.
One flash - we live - we die
The singer is acknowledging the fleeting nature of life and the importance of making the most of one's time.
One minute of my life could be / An everlasting journey to eternity
The artist is acknowledging that one moment of life could have a profound impact on their identity and existence, and reflect on eternity.
Cause on the day that I die / I would use the time machine - and fly
The singer is expressing a desire to use the time machine to change something they wish they could have done differently, and that they would use it even on their deathbed.
Shadows hideaway but we survive / I invite you to the ride / Across the circle of my life
The singer is acknowledging that despite the trials and tribulations of life, they have managed to endure and survive, and that they welcome others to join them in their journey.
As time goes by / We live, we die / One flash
The singer is reiterating the impermanence of life and the fleeting nature of time.
Let us fly
The artist is expressing a desire to move forward, embrace change, and enjoy the journey of life.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@socratism1544
this band is good