This should have been the album that put Axxis in the forefront of the power metal pack. Filled with catchy and hooky tracks this release is by far the best offering from the band. Walter Pietsch comes up with some very terrific riffs and Bernhard Weiss shows all just what a dynamic voice he is. From the get go, the band hits on all cylinders with the very enticing "Ecstasy". This very scintillating work is the kind of opening tune that grabs you and makes you want to listen closely to the rest of the disc.
They do not let up at all as the equally powerful "Idolator" follows and it's one of those songs that will have you singing along with the chorus at full volume no matter who can hear you! They may not have been the kind of music that was popular when this was first released in 1995 and it's a shame that this very good album got lost amongst all the garbage of the day.
Many people felt that this album was too much of a departure from their first three offerings. Produced in America for the first time, this disc has a full, lush feel that wasn't there before. I once again will liken them to the group Yes. Besides Pietsch's very similar vocals, the feel and attitude of the album reminds me a lot of Anderson and company during their Big Generatorand 90120 period. Some people think it was over produced. I think it captured another side that became very dynamic for the band. Songs like "C'est La Vie", "Just A Story" and "All My Life" show a power and fullness that make them great melodic power metal tunes.
Even their use of orchestration like on the powerful "Freedom Comes" only adds another dimension to the music that was never there before. This is a pleasant surprise to me and one that they were both praised and hated for at the same time. Fans of their earlier music saw them as selling out while many people were exposed to them that would have never came across them without this more mainstream approach.
While this disc may never be remembered as one of the classic works in the annals of rock and roll, it has been a great and refreshing bit of nostalgia that holds its own with today's music. I have enjoyed listening to this one over and over. Each time I get a smile and think about a nice summer day with this light but still very melodic metal album.
Track listing:
1. Ecstasy
2. Idolator
3. C'est La Vie
4. On My Own
5. Just A Story
6. All My Life
7. Freedom Comes
8. Another Day
9. Fan The Flames
10. Watch Out
11. Hide Away
12. Back In My Bones
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