Sometimes I feel a little bit nostalgic about the golden era of Teutonic (German) power metal and the great inspiration – energy it carried in its music, back in the late ‘80s, early ‘90s. If you feel sometimes that emotion, then embrace yourselves for a journey with a timecapsule, that will travel you back to those days.
This release, is a great opportunity for our nostalgia to delve into the early days of the German power / speed metal band ABRAXAS. It combines their 1989 rare mini – LP (EP) ‘’Shattered by a Terrible Prediction’’, which was released in an edition of 1,000 copies, that the musicians sold at their concerts and distributed independently and their 1991, highly regarded amidst the cycles of underground metal, demo ‘’Signs’’. A couple of recordings are also included in the end of the release as CD bonus tracks.
The band was very promising at the time, with amazing music but despite their critical acclaim, did not achieve widespread fame.
So, let me give you some info about the story of the band, that is to many metal fans out there a little bit unknown. ABRAXAS were founded in 1985 by bassist Jan Müller and drummer Heiko Burst. After some lineup changes in 1988, the band recorded their first demo “Vampire”. Subsequently, singer Joachim Hittinger found guitarist Oliver Mindner (passed away in 2022 and this release is dedicated by the band to his memory), who was 15 years old at the time.
By the end of 1989, the lineup had changed. Stephan Rohner became the new second guitarist and there was also a new keyboardist, Andreas Hittinger. In June 1990, the band recruited singer Chris Klauke, who had previously played in the Hamburg metal band MANIA.
In December 1992, ABRAXAS reached third place at Germany’s largest rock newcomer festival at the Rockfabrik Ludwigsburg, and in March they even won first place at the Festival of Young Artists in Reutlingen. The album “The Liaison” was released in 1993, only in Japan, and then re-released as “Tomorrow’s World” for the rest of the world in 1998 by LMP. Despite this success, the talented band unfortunately disbanded in the same year.
Regarding the music of the release, the EP (tracks 1 to 4) showcases a young band brimming with potential, delivering a sound that sits firmly in the realm of classic early German speed / power metal, totally in the vein of early HELLOWEEN (self-titled EP and ‘’Walls of Jericho’’ era) or HEAVEN’S GATE. Their music is melodic, yet powerful, with theme or passages from classical music, giving a strong emphasis on the intricate – inspiring riffs and the soaring high-pitched vocals with the adorable German pronunciation of English.
The production is typical for that era, thus astonishing and has nothing to do with contemporary’s time ‘’plastic’’ overproduced sound results.The original vinyl transfer and audio cleaning that has been done by Patrick W. Engel at TEMPLE OF DISHARMONY kept all the original feeling and warmth of the sound.
Tracks like ‘’The Chosen One’’, ‘’Taken By The Past’’ or the ‘’Key of Destiny’’ are not written or found easily in our days. Real hidden diamonds.
In the 1991 ‘’Signs’’ demo (tracks 5 to 9), the band is presented with a different singer and more maturity in terms of songwriting and musicianship. The band has evolved its sound and if I should make a direct comparison, I’d say that is similar the maturity and musical direction that Kai Hansen and GAMMA RAY had shown in their albums, compared to those of HELLOWEEN. Some people will also feel the sound a little bit reminiscent of the obscure (to many unknown) German speed / power metal band MANIA from Hamburg, which was the former band of the new singer Chris Klauke.
Definitely, in 1991, the band have incorporated more intricate arrangements and more progressive metal elements, absorbing influences from US Power Metal and bands such as QUEENSRŸCHE or CRIMSON GLORY (listen to ‘’Stolen Memories’’ and you’ll understand). But the most important factor is that they indeed kept their energetic and stirring profile in their melodies and exceptional anthemic high pitched vocals, sometimes bringing in mind SCANNER, especially in the choruses. Again, we are dealing with amazing and beautiful songs, that will bring you pure feelings of enthusiasm.
To make a long story short, the decision for the release of these rarities is to be embraced without a second thought. Especially the fans of early HELLOWEEN, HEAVEN’S GATE, early SCANNER, early to mid’ 90s GAMMA RAY, are going to love that one and that is a statement that ‘’I sign with both hands’’ (Greek expression that is used when you are absolutely sure about what you are saying).
‘’Shattered by a Terrible Prediction’’ has been released on the 21st of March 2025 by Golden Core Records and is available on LP and CD.
Check the discussion about the album in our forum pages.
