Abraxas - The Liaison (1993) (Japanese TECX-25584)

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Abraxas - The Liaison (1993) (Japanese TECX-25584)

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The history of metal is loaded with stories of bands that could have been, but weren’t for some reason. In the case of many, the capricious nature of the mainstream was the principle culprit, as was the case with German power metal outfit Abraxas. Although they had been in existence since the mid-80s, they had not truly gotten a foothold until vocalist Chris Klauke, who had a brief run with another little known power/speed metal outfit “Mania”, joined the fold. Unfortunately for the band, the time of their big debut was right dead in the middle of the grunge takeover, and probably the worst year of that period 1993.

Although this release is available on a less limited basis under a different title with more songs tagged onto the end, the original release “The Liason” is superior because of the pacing not being thrown off from the track order being shuffled around. In my experience it is usually not a good idea to kick off an album with a 7 minute plus epic, as it will diminish the rest of the listen. I also prefer the album art of this release because it better fits the style of the music than the quasi-science fiction concept that was lifted from one of the other songs on here for the "Tomorrow's World" version.

“The Liason” is stylistically a brilliant mix of Helloween, Queensryche, Fates Warning and a host of other outfits from the old guard power and progressive metal scenes. It kicks off with the melodic speed classic “Cry of the Nature”, which is basically a heavier and better produced homage to “Eagle Fly Free”. “Dream Dealer” switches things up with a slower prog oriented rocker, definitely influenced by Queensryche’s “The Warning”. Other tracks like “Crusader’s Prayer” trade back and forth Iron Maiden and Accept influences, as well as some almost folk guitar melodies, while “Tomorrow’s Dream” thrashes it up with a killer galloping feel and a really powerful chorus. The title track has some hints of Fates Warning’s “No Exit” along with a couple of riffs that sound like they directly influenced Pagan’s Mind.

The only thing that is really standard about this album is the fact that the two best tracks on here are the longest ones. “Gates of Eden” and “Euphoria” both exhibit characteristics of the ideal epic in the Iron Maiden sense, but with all the stylistic trappings of the late 80s speed metal bands of Germany and dashes of mid-80s American power/prog. The bass interlude to “Euphoria” is almost gloomier yet dramatic version of the same kind heard on Maiden’s “Rime of the Ancient Mariner”. Although the solos and technical displays of this band may not impress in the same way that a Dream Theater or a Symphony X might, the songwriting carries a charm that sets it apart from much of the metal that came before it.

Although this band is under the power metal banner, the adventurous nature of the songs makes it a suitable member of the power/prog genre. Many of the newer acts in that genre, namely Pagan’s Mind and Anubis Gate share a common tendency in their sound that I don’t think is coincidental. Perhaps only an indirect influence, but nonetheless, Abraxas was definitely a unique beast for it’s time and was sadly well ahead of it’s time. For 1993, this is pretty much the best that you could get from this genre, even against the somewhat interesting Gamma Ray release “Insanity and Genius”, this takes the prize.

~ www.metal-archives.com