The Big Thrill

The Big Thrill is a fulfilling third album on which Axxis, combining bright, soaring melody and hard guitar, further honed the positive drive of German melodic hard rock. The guitar riffs push the songs straight and powerfully, and the keyboards and big choruses largely widen the view. The vocals, not merely flaunting high notes, make the hooks’ outline clearer, powerfully supporting each song’s sure openness. A record where the band’s mature ability shines. From the powerful drive of the opener “Better World / Livin’ In The Dark” and the aggression of “Against a Brick Wall” to a cut like “Little War,” every song is engaging, while cuts like “Stay Don’t Leave Me” and “No Advice” convey the work’s fullness. Bernhard Weiss’s soaring voice is powerfully in sharp form throughout. A record that lines up sure weight and memorable accessibility without strain, powerfully conveying the liveliness and craftsman-like, outstanding playing the melodic metal of the time held. Being conscious of not only the choruses’ size but how the guitar’s sharp chopping powerfully pushes up the singing, its appeal increases all the more. A powerful, engaging record showing early Axxis’s sure fullness — a record where the band’s craftsmanship shines.