Definitely, after the Americans of 'Mr Big' with their album 'Ten' which should be the last, it is the Germans of Axxis' who are taking their bow, with this new opus 'Coming Home', 'Harry Oellers' having decided to leave the group. Their career began in the mid-80s and they managed to hold on without a label to promote them during all these years, which shows that when the music is good, the audience is there. For nearly 40 years, they have offered us albums regularly and this 'Coming Home' is their 17th studio recording if I count only one for the 2 'Kingdom of the Night II'.
Listening to this latest offering in which each composition smells of the very good 'Made in Axxis' recognizable from the first chords, I remember the good times spent listening to their discography, because this 'Coming Home' still contains unstoppable hymns, starting with the energetic and well-paced 'Blackest Vision' (see the video above), then, the eponymous title of the album drives the point home for this composition synonymous with a final clap which has a unifying chorus to sing in chorus (see the video here). More muscular, 'Atlantica' flirts with very good power metal, then, with the trio that follows, 'Moonlight Bay' (see the video here), 'Dark Angel' and 'Love will shine for everyone', I am in heaven with this very characteristic style and these addictive choruses to scream until you lose your voice: that's it, it gives me an irresistible desire to dive back into all the 'Kingdom Of The Night', first of all, their first album from 1989, then, versions II from 2014 (the white album and the black album) that I put between my ears a good package times. Followed by the melodic scud 'Irish Way Of Life' with its Celtic influences which is of a formidable efficiency, then, 'Legends of Phantasia' continues in more muscular power metal while keeping a catchy melodic side. New rhythmic composition in the style of 'Axxis' with 'Lord of Darkness', then, 'Ready To Burn' is another irresistible title which automatically starts the headbanging machine. To finish, 'Tears Of A Clown' and 'I Won't Sell My Soul' end the ball with two last melodic hits, the first with a new catchy chorus and the second with completely addictive guitar riffs. I realize that, on this album, the Germans have favored energetic compositions and that there are no ballads (just like in 'Monster Hero' from 2018). And yet, 'Axxis' has always been a great provider of this type of beautiful melodies and they released in 2006 the very beautiful album 'Best Of Ballads & Acoustic Specials' that I put in a playlist by adding other tracks after this release (see here).
In summary, we dive back in with this latest opus of Axxis' in this style so characteristic of the Germans who have had a great career since the 1980s, keeping their fan base all these years without any label to support them, and this 'Coming Home' closes a beautiful story with many memorable anthems that will be forever in the memory of all those who followed the group for almost 40 years... | |
