Press info for "Back to the Kingdom"
When AXXIS released their debut album KINGDOM OF THE NIGHT in 1989 it turned out to be one of the biggest surprises in the Hard Rock scene ever. A totally unknown newcomer act released the best selling Metal debut of a German band of all times. The album's potential and the band's outstanding live performances made this album selling more than 150.000 copies until today, a figure that seemed to be utopian for German rock-bands in these times. This was the start of AXXIS' career which is filled with highlights like e.g. shows on the Rock Am Ring Open Air, memorable tours (a/o. with BLACK SABBATH) and international highlights like the acoustic shows in Japan.
With their new album BACK TO THE KNIGDOM the band completes the circle from the late Eighties over the various impressions of the Nineties to the actuality of the new decade. BACK TO THE KINGDOM revitalizes the fresh and vital flair of the band's early days and their hymnal chords plus the musical competence of five studio albums (plus one live album) and countless shows. It presents a band which returns after a two-year break with drastic personal changes and new born enthusiasm.
Guitarist and founding member Walter Pietsch left AXXIS to concentrate on his work as a producer and talent-scout. "For Harry, Richard and me there's nothing but AXXIS, but Walter found other interests" explains singer Bernhard Weiß, whose high and remarkable voice is THE trademark of AXXIS' sound. 
Together with Bernhard now keyboarder Harry Oellers and drummer Richard Michalski mark the epicenter of the band. The song-writing team Weiß/Oellers composed new songs in this new situation which easily reach the status as AXXIS hits.
New members are young talents Guido Wehmeyer and bassist Udo Niemeyer which went out of tough auditions as clear number ones. The fans who had the chance to see the new formation's show at the Wacken Open-Air saw a band that played like a unified whole although it was only the second gig of this line-up.
As professional as on stage the band presents themselves in the studio. Twelve new tracks were recorded in the band's own Soundworxx studio in Bergkamen and mixed by producer Max Volume (BAP, Smokie) at the House Of Audio studio, Karlsruhe (a/o. Pink Cream 69).
The songs' strongest trademarks are the groovy, catchy arrangements and their melodic hooklines. Up-tempo rockers like "Like a Sphinx", typical AXXIS boosters like "Flashback radio" and "Shadowman" or emotional ballads like "Don't live without you", "Only god knows..." or "My little princess" (which is dedicated to Bernhard's little daughter) - all show impressively the original AXXIS sound.
In addition BACK TO THE KINGDOM includes with "Hooters-like" "Heaven in Black" a track with strong hit- and radio-potential. After eight years of an EMI-major deal AXXIS do a new start at Massacre Records who will explore the band's full potential especially in the Metal-scene and Europe-wide and help AXXIS to climb the next step in their career.
A big co-headlining tour with new label-mates PINK CREAM 69 is already booked for April, the Melodic Hard Rock fans already go crazy for this top-package. AXXIS 2000 - the kingdom is back!
