Review Summary: The last stop before the power metal era.
Back to the Kingdom put Axxis back on the right track after the disappointing Matter of Survival (1995) and confusing Voodoo Vibes (1997), what was reserved for Eyes of Darkness (2001)? Whare to go after Back to the Kigdom?
The answer is surprisingly simple. Forward.
Although still rooted in melodic hard rock, Eyes of Darkness represents the final chapter of Axxis' transition period. The arena-rock DNA is still present, but the melodies are becoming grander, the riffs more metallic (but not very heavy yet), and the songwriting increasingly resembles the melodic power metal that would soon define the band's career.
The problem is that the transition isn't quite complete yet. Unfortunately, Eyes of Darkness often feels like a band caught between two identities.
Fortunately, when Axxis gets it right, the results are outstanding.
The album opens strongly with "Eyes of Darkness", delivering one of the most memorable riffs of the band's career, along with Bernhard Weiß's flawless vocals, as always. The chorus even carries subtle hints of Blind Guardian, reflecting a band in the midst of its transition.
"Wonderland", on the other hand, is Axxis at its most Scorpions-esque mode. The song is built around a warm, uplifting melody, tasteful guitar work and a chorus that feels tailor-made for a packed arena. It's nostalgic without sounding dated, and easily ranks among the album's finest moments.
Then comes "The Four Horsemen", a cover of a song by Aphrodite's Child (a band I had honestly never heard of before). Needless to say, this wasn't on my Axxis bingo card. Yet, somehow, it works. Instead of reinventing the song, Axxis leans into its theatrical atmosphere and transforms it into one of the album's most memorable moments... Even though they didn't write the song, Axxis once again proves that emotional, ballad-like material has always been one of the band's strongest suits.
Another highlight is "One Million Faces," a song that feels like a love letter to the classic Scorpions formula. Built around a slower, groove-oriented rhythm and an instantly infectious riff, it favors melody over speed without sacrificing energy. Bernhard Weiß once again elevates the material with his unmistakable vocal delivery, turning what could have been just another melodic hard rock track into one of the album's most memorable moments.
The problem is that these four songs carry far too much of the album's weight. Much of the rest of the album blends together into competent but ultimately forgettable melodic metal. Nothing is offensively bad, but very little demands a second listen.
Looking back, Eyes of Darkness is more interesting than it is great. As a standalone album, it represents a slight step backward from Back to the Kingdom, lacking enough memorable songs to sustain its running time. But don't get me wrong: it's worth listening to.
As a historical document, however, it is fascinating. This is the final stop before Axxis fully embraced melodic power metal. The transformation is almost complete.
The destination would arrive with Time Machine. And that's where the real magic begins.
