Triaxis - Key to the Kingdom
CD Info
2009
Independent Release / United Kingdom
11 Tracks
English Lyrics
Remember what good ol’ heavy metal sounds like? I’m not sure we do. These days, so many female-fronted metal bands add classical and cultural elements to their music or fuse many different metal styles that sometimes we wonder, "Where did all of this come from?" Triaxis, however, is one of those bands that stays far from all the wackiness. The Welsh quintet takes listeners back to the 1980s, when most heavy metal bands played nothing but – what else? – heavy metal. This "old school" approach is the driving force of Triaxis’s 2009 debut, Key to the Kingdom.
From start to finish, Key to the Kingdom relies on four elements: anthemic melodies, in-your-face momentum, old-fashioned shredding, and the stalwart voice of Krissie Kirby. The assertive guitarwork, courtesy of Clare "CJ" Hale and Gavin Owen (who left the band in 2010 and has since been replaced), was clearly influenced by the likes of Iron Maiden and Judas Priest. Owen has some tricks up his sleeve, though; his solos contain perhaps every guitar-playing technique known to humankind. As for the frontwoman, Kirby is as charismatic as they come. She can be a somber storyteller or the witch from your worst nightmare, depending on the song’s tone. All this makes it sounds as though Key to the Kingdom is a simplistic album – but it’s not. The music has traces of grandeur in the form of lengthy intros and instrumental sections. Thus, Key to the Kingdom is no musical "beach read," but rather a rally charge that’s rigorous and fun.
Every track on Key to the Kingdom is hard-hitting and uptempo, yet each has a distinct mood. "Gates of Damnation," for example, is a malicious good time. Every ingredient of this song, from the spiraling guitars and Kirby’s mocking to the wicked laughter at the end, augments its devilish confidence. The opening romp, "Phoenix," has a message of hope that uses its mythological namesake: "Out of the shadows and into the light / Like a phoenix, I take flight / I rise from the ashes and soar to the sun / I see a new horizon." "Lord of the Northern Sky," on the other hand, begins with Middle Eastern chants that give way to hammering riffs and double-kick drumming, as well as another dizzying solo from Owen. And if you think Kirby sounds intimidating on "Gates of Damnation," she’ll make you tremble on this track.
Some songs on Key to the Kingdom have a more serious tone. Distorted guitars in "Autumn Hourglass" contrast with Kirby’s lamentation over losing innocence in adulthood. "Aurora" scorches with relentless rhythms as Kirby wails out the chorus: "We were supposed to be together (You left me on my own) / You are condemned to live forever (Tread the world alone)." Other tracks have subtle religious undertones. "Sins of the Father" chronicles a missionary’s search for salvation after deceiving his disciples. "Lies" follows a similar veil, but with a more personal feel. The song begins with a rousing crescendo, led by Owen’s wistful guitars, before kicking into a vigorous beat and leading to Kirby’s tale of how adulation can evolve into doubt and distrust:
When I was young, I could repeat your sermons
Like I wrote the words myself
Hanging on your every sentence
Modeling my life on his
But in my dreams, I have my doubts
I keep them all inside
As the news of battle draws near
There’s nowhere to hide
In my opinion, Key to the Kingdom is an exciting time-travel ride, with just a couple songs lacking potency or catchy melodies. Not everyone will like this album, though. Triaxis’s music doesn’t follow the increasingly popular trends in female-fronted metal. Many fans like to hear symphonic bombast, gothic undercurrents, or brutish grunts – none of which are present with Triaxis’s throwback style. Also, Key to the Kingdom is a demanding listen. It clocks in at over 66 minutes, with all but two of the 11 songs passing the 5-minute mark. And with all uptempo tracks, the album’s pace is like a marathon at times. The only song that could be considered a ballad is the closer, "The Geisha and the King." It starts as a slow-burning tale of a broken heart, then explodes halfway through into a careening elegy. It’s an exceptional ending – but anyone who loses interest in the album due its length and velocity may turn it off before then and miss the song entirely.
So, if you don’t know what the roots of heavy metal sound like, Key to the Kingdom is the closest that modern music will get to those origins. With iron-strong vocals and musicality as well as hints of lyrical sentimentality, Triaxis proves that metal can be uncompromising and timeless. Key to the Kingdom is also as brazen as any symphonic or progressive metal offering in recent years. That’s why fans of female-fronted metal should give Key to the Kingdom a spin, regardless of their tastes. I rarely listen to straight-up heavy metal – but I’ve enjoyed this album so much, I know I’ll listen to it again and again. Sometimes it’s good to listen to something different for a change. Why not let Triaxis be that "something different" for you?
8.5 / 10
Best Songs: "Lord of the Northern Sky," "Gates of Damnation," "The Geisha and the King"
Recommended for fans of Doro, Kobra and the Lotus, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, and other traditional heavy metal bands
Key to the Kingdom is currently not available at the Sonic Cathedral store. However, you can purchase it at Triaxis’s merchandise Store as well as iTunes and Amazon.
