For over the last 16 years German power metal band Axxis has released it’s albums with rule half-measure of the bell. “Paradise in Flames” is a very strong power metal album, making Germany very proud. Axxis stands for melodic bombastic metal with hymnic choruses. The album opens very strong with ‘Dance of the death’. This song represents everything Axxis stands for; up tempo power metal, with a lot of room for choirs, pounding drums and harmonic guitars. This song reminds me very much to the old Stratovarious. From ‘Dance of the Death’ they continue straight on to ‘Tales of Glory Island’ a high class power metal song with a nice Helloween touch. ‘Take My Hand’ is the first climax on this album. Everything on this song is amazing, the beautiful female vocals, the emotional lead vocals from lead singer Bernhard, the threatening music played by the band. This song is everything a good metal song should be. ‘Will God remember me’ and ‘Talisman’ are two regular high class metal songs. With very strong harmonic guitar-play and pounding drums. Don’t leave me is the first resting point on the album. This ballad comes exactly on the right moment, just when you think “I can’t take it anymore”. It gives your neck muscles some time to relax.

After the ballad Axxis continues straight on with the very best song of the album: ‘Lady Moon’, I simply can’t find enough words to praise this beautiful power metal song, it is best described as UDO meets Rhapsody. In ‘Ice wind’ the pedal really hits the metal for the first time, giving your neck muscles no time to cool down. ‘Stay with me’ is another semi ballad just to cool down a little bit and enjoy the beautiful tunes, Gods of pain is another very bombastic song, Axxis is at its best in songs like these. ‘Passion for Rock’, the final song on this album, brings an ode to our favourite style of music, it’s the only song that shouldn’t be on this album. It’s a little to much typical German power metal, it misses the unique touch of the other songs on this album. The biggest difference with their previous releases is the more prominent role for female vocalist Lakonia. She gives Axxis a very positive impulse. Summarised; ‘Paradise In Flames’ has everything a power metal album should have; thundering drums, roaring guitars, high vocals and melodic choruses, this combined with the beautiful female vocal and brilliant choirs makes it a “must-have” for every metal head. Release date January 20th.