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  Compiled from info off their website. Permission to use photo & text was granted via e-mail: It all started in 1988 with a "one-song demotape" which was recorded in Kamen (Hermes Studios) with a little help by Wolfgang Pentighaus in 1988. Featured on this tape was a song called "TEARS OF THE TREES" which was sent out to all record companies. After EMI hadn't signed Axxis because of this song, the demotape was sent out again, was accepted and started to rave in the complete EMI headquarters and... the story of AXXIS began... The debut album "Kingdom Of The Night", which was released in 1989 in Europe, Canada, Japan, Australia and the USA, sold 100000 times immediately. This was followed by a Multimedia Award in October, 1989, for releasing the best selling debut album ever by a German Hard Rock band. "Axxis II" marked a similar huge success in 1990, followed by the authentic and energetic live release "Access All Areas" a year later. The ambitious "The Big Thrill" became a best seller in 1993 and 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 traveled thousands of miles. One of 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 world-wide! The album "Matters of survival" was produced in Los Angeles in 1995 - the city of angels which is uncritically praised as metal-capitol by some, a city where glamour, 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 song from the original 30 demo tracks and commited the arrangements. Afterwards they flew over to Los Angels 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 possibilty 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" has 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 ), they have always avoided repeating themselves. AXXIS do, of course, have their basic sound... while their roots lie 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. Bemhard's unique vocal style is another characteristic trademark which makes AXXIS' sound unique. 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.
In January of 1998, guitarrist Walter Pietsch left the band as well as their bass player but the band carried on & Guido Wehmeyer (guitar) and Udo (Kuno) Niemeyer
In September, 2001, the band released the CD "Eyes of Darkness" which was a multimedia CD including a freeware game called "Rockmine" and a video clip of the song "Shadowman".
Their newest album, "Time Machine" has just been released & is described as such on their site:
"More than ever we have squeezed out one of the clearest strengths of the band, namely the several voices choir", Bernhard Weiss says, he and Harry Oellers are the main composers of the songs. "That already became an important trademark for AXXIS in the past, though so bombastic and varied like the new material we have never arranged it before. " Especially the additional voice of the female choir singer Lakonia adds warmth and dimension. Songs like "Angel of Death", "Time Machine" or "Wind In The Night (Shalom)" are representative for a new AXXIS album full of hymns and catchy refrains, but more powerful and aggressive than in the past which creates a fresh and exciting sound mixture and is simultaneously connected with the musically history and roots of the band.
By the way Axxis took again political problems for their lyric writing. In "Wind In The Night" they are describing the never ending tragedy between Israelis and Palestinians, the sorrow and the tragedy of this hopeless situation. Weiss asks himself: Is the word shalom after assassinations and war examinations to use at all? "Nevertheless, we have tried to combine hope, love and sorrow." In "Wings Of Freedom" - the song was written during the Iraq war - it takes the fact into discussion that the complete world community could not stop the USA invasion at all. Just as interesting, even if non-political tune, is the title song: "The question of the time travel and the combined possibilities are very stimulating", the AXXIS singer explains. "The more we talked about it the more fascinating the theme got. All mistakes, that were made in the past, could be reconsidered. The question comes into being: What would happen if we make other decisions on certain days in our life?"
Many thanks to the band for giving us permission to use their pics & bio information! -Mikki 4/04
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