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Following the
phenomenal success of 'Paradise In Flames' Axxis return with what is
without a doubt is their strongest release to date, and following the rave
reviews of 'Paradise In Flames' some thought to follow this album would be a
hard, but believe me the band have gone one step further and produced an
outstanding album that will simply show just why the band have been so
successful since their incarnation back in 1989.
From the opening
intro ‘Voices Of Destiny’ you know you're in for something rather special.
As
the choral intro fades the real power of the album is unleashed with the
title track ‘Doom Of Destiny (Arabia)’, from this point there is no looking
back, as it's forward all the way with the almost symphonic metal tones.
New boy Marco Wriedt guitars lays waste to the track, with the distinctive
vocals of Bernhard Weiss not far behind and joining Wiess is Lakonia who
brings her vocals to the table once more, whist the rest of the band Andre
Hilgers on drums, Rob Schomaker on bass and Harry Oellers on keys fill the
track with an symphony of rampaging melodic metal.
Lakonia again
duets with Wiess on ‘Better Fate’ as the pair mix the heavenly metal tones
with a thunderous backbeat provided by Hilgers and Schomaker, meanwhile Wriedt
lays down some wondrous licks once again.
One of my
favourite tracks on this very impressive album is ‘Bloodangel’. This one is
a real tour de force as the keys of Oellers and the rhythm section gets
things underway before Wiess takes up the vocals. Wriedt joins in on this
party for what is truly a slice of pure Melodic Metal.
We once again
welcome the vocals of Lakonia as she duets with Wiess on the
monstrous epic tones of ‘I Hear You Cry’, which carries on the heavier vibe
of the album. This heavier vibe was felt on 'Paradise' and continues with
great effect on this new album and shows the band are willing to try out
new ideas and keep up with current trends, while at the same time remaining
true to their roots.
Things slow down
with the metal ballad (complete with saxophone) ‘The Fire Still Burns’,
before picking up once more with the exceptional ‘Father, Father’. A real
powerhouse of a track with the double kick assault of Hilgers laying down
the foundations for Wiess and Lakonia superb vocals and Wriedts and
Oellers blistering solos.
The band twist
things around a little and bring a touch of Prog Metal into the mix with
another of my favourite tracks ‘Revolutions’ before the rocking disco
metal of ‘She Got Nine Lifes’.
It's metal all
the way for the final two tracks firstly its ‘Devilish Belle’ with Wriedt
showing his skills once again as he grinds out the metal chords on this
one and the album closes with ‘Astoria’, another thumping rampaging slice
of metal from Wiess and Co and wraps ups another great album. With the
band already lined up to appear on tour with the likes of Gamma Ray and the mighty Helloween, this is one tour you
simply cannot miss. |
