AXXIS

Axxis is a hard rock band from Germany founded in 1988. In the early days, the band consisted of singer Bernhard Weiß, guitarist Walter Pietsch, bassist Werner Kleinhans and drummer Richard Michalski. With their first demo recording "Tears of the Trees", Axxis are signed to EMI. The band becomes famous in the rock scene in one fell swoop. Their debut album Kingdom of the Night is released in 1989 and immediately reaches number 42 in the German charts. At the same time, Axxis take the rock world by storm. The album is also a success in other European countries, Australia, Japan, Canada and the USA. A tour as support act for Black Sabbath follows. From then on, Axxis are regulars in the charts. The second album, II, reached number 32 in 1990 and the band recorded their third album, The Big Thrill, in the USA. The album climbs to number 38 in the German charts. This is followed by an extensive tour of Japan. Axxis now play regularly at festivals such as Rock am Ring. This is followed by the albums Matters of Survival (1995, number 48 in Germany), Voodoo Vibes (1997, number 82 in Germany) and Back to the Kingdom (2000, number 59 in Germany). In the meantime, Axxis not only play classic hard rock, but also incorporate power metal elements into their music. Their success diminished somewhat from the 2000s onwards. Albums such as Eyes of Darkness (2001, 83rd place in Germany), Time Machine (2004, 72nd place in Germany), Paradise in Flames (2006, 45th place in Germany) and Utopia (2009, 40th place in Germany) no longer quite match their earlier successes. However, Axxis are still among the reliable rock greats in Germany. Their album Kingdom of the Night II reached the top 30 in Germany for the first time in 2014 at number 28. To mark the band's 25th anniversary, the DVD 25 Years of Rock & Power - Axxis & Friends was released in 2015. Artists involved in the production include Doro Pesch, Victor Smolski (ex-Rage), Hannes Braun (Kissin' Dynamite), André Hilgers (ex-Rage, ex-Axxis, Silent Force), Jeanette Scherff (Dawn of Destiny), Lucky Maniatopoulos (Rage), Janni Maniatopoulos (Tri State Corner), Pitti Hecht (Scorpions Percussion). After that, things got a little quieter for the band. With Retrolution (2017) and Monster Hero (2018), two albums are released in quick succession. Axxis then take a studio break. Axxis return in July 2024, just in time for the band's 35th anniversary. Coming Home (number 17 in Germany) is the band's last studio album. The group has announced that it will disband afterwards. Axxis say goodbye to their fans with a big anniversary tour.