"German" Heavy Metal from Los Angeles, CA, USA. Zaxas formed in 1985, released 2 demos and 1 full-length album before disappearing into oblivion a decade later. These guys actually got together in Japan since they were in the US Marines at the time of their formation. I think this is the only Christian metal band to ever get signed by Noise Records.

ZAXAS (1995) NOISE

Zaxas are one of many bands I became aware of thanks to the No Life 'Til Metal website. On my ever ongoing search for new Christian metal, and good metal in general, I stumbled across a band I was not familiar with, despite thinking that I had quite a good grasp on what was released on the legendary Noise label. The fact that this album was released in 1995, when metal was at a commercial low point, might make up for the fact that this release went unnoticed by many other metalheads besides me. Zaxas play sort of a mix between classic metal, and power metal. Musically they le somewhere not far away from bands like Iced Earth, Metal Church and Jag Panzer. Zaxas might be just a tad less powerful than the mentioned bands, but still I think those are the nearest ones in comparison. Vocally Dale Anthony sort of sounds like a cross between Ronnie James Dio and Peavey Wagner (Rage). This self titled album took me some spins to get into, but now I quite enjoy it. I just needed time to get to know the material, and separate the songs from each other. Although this is a Christian band, they lyrics are not at all the preachy kind. In fact, if I hadn't already know their religious stance, I don't think I'd noticed it.

Killer tracks: Images Of Princes, In The Beginning, Last Chance Believer, Ashes To Ashes