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Book of Life

by DRAXXIS

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  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Purchasable with gift card

      $7 USD  or more

     

  • Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

    CD FEATURES:
    • First time on CD
    • Including the 1993 ‘Book of Life’ EP
    • Plus DRAXXIX 1989 4-song demo
    • Remastered from the best available sources
    • 12-page booklet
    • Complete lyrics, photos and band bio
    • Artwork by Steve Cobb
    • Limited to 500 copies worldwide

    FOR FANS OF: Savatage, Metal Church, Sanctuary, Leatherwolf & Vicious Rumors

    Includes unlimited streaming of Book of Life via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ships out within 3 days
    edition of 500 
    Purchasable with gift card

      $12.99 USD or more 

     

1.
Full Fist 03:56
FULL FIST WHEN YOUR DESPERATE IT SEEMS PRIDE IS OUT THE DOOR DESPERATION YES I’VE BEEN DOWN THAT ROAD BEFORE BUT STILL I CAN’T BELIEVE THAT’S THE BEST THAT YOU COULD DO STEALING FROM A FRIEND THE FELLOWSHIP IS THROUGH PRE-CHORUS So MANY TIMES DID I NOT SEE THAT YOU WERE LETTING us DOWN MUST BE TO BLIND TO HAVE FORSEEN THE DECEIT OF YOUR EVIL SMILE CHORUS LIKE A SNAKE IN THE GRASS STICK A KNIFE UP YOUR ASS SLIGHTEST TURN OF THE WRIST EMPTY HAND BECOMES A FULL FIST GIVE AND TAKE EQUALLY THROUGHOUT THICK AND THIN TRUST WAS UNDERSTOOD THE FELLOWSHIP HUNG IN BUT STILL I CAN’T BELIEVE THAT’S THE ROAD YOU CHOSE TO TAKE FROM A FRIEND TO A THIEF THE FELLOWSHIP DID BREAK (PRE-CHORUS) HOW MANY TIMES DID I NOT SEE THAT YOU WERE LETTING us DOWN MUST BE TO BLIND TO HAVE FORESEEN THE DECEIT OF YOUR EVIL SMILE (CHORUS) LIKE A SNAKE IN THE GRASS STICK A KNIFE UP YOUR ASS SLIGHTEST TURN OF THE WRIST EMPTY HAND BECOMES A FULL FIST
2.
Breakwater 06:21
BREAKWATER BREAKWATER STANDS STRONG UNDER ME A KNOWING BREEZE SPANS THE DISTANCE THAT I SEE MY HANDS are LOCKED ON THE STEEL RAILS OF MY MIND Yes I’M CAUGHT IN THE MIDDLE SINCE I’VE TOUCHED BOTH SIDES (PRE-CHORUS) TO THE WEST LIES THE MYSTERY HOPE AND NEED THE PROMISE OF NEW FUTURE THE PROGRESSIONARY SEED TO THE EAST LIES MY HEART HOME AND FAME THE TREASURE OF THE PAST THEIR CAPITAL, MY CLAIM (CHORUS) Just ONE MAN AND THREE WAYS TO GO TO THE EAST, TO THE WEST OR DOWN NORTH THROUGH THE COLD ONE THING CERTAIN WHICH EVER CHOICE I MAKE ONE MAN, HE’S HAD ALL THAT HE CAN TAKE TOO MUCH SAND IN THE HOURGLASS OF TIME JUST ONE PROBLEM IT’S ALL ON THE BOTTOM SIDE THE CENTER PIER I KNOW IS THERE LAUGHS UP AT ME THROUGH THE FOG AS IF TO SAY GO AWAY TOO MANY COME TO MEET THE DAWN (PRE-CHORUS) TO THE WEST LIES THE MYSTERY HOPE AND NEED THE PROMISE OF NEW FUTURE THE PROGRESSIONARY SEED TO THE EAST LIES MY HEART HOME AND FAME THE TREASURE OF THE PAST THEIR CAPITAL, MY CLAIM (CHORUS) Just ONE MAN AND THREE WAYS TO GO TO THE EAST, TO THE WEST OR DOWN NORTH THROUGH THE COLD ONE THING CERTAIN WHICH EVER CHOICE I MAKE Yes ONE MAN, HE’S HAD ALL THAT HE CAN TAKE BREAKWATER STANDS STRONG UNDER ME A KNOWING BREEZE SPANS THE DISTANCE THAT I SEE MY HANDS are LOCKED ON THE STEEL RAILS OF YOUR MINDS WE’RE ALL CAUGHT IN THE MIDDLE SINCE WE’VE TOUCHED BOTH SIDES Just ONE MAN AND THREE WAYS TO GO TO THE EAST, TO THE WEST OR DOWN NORTH THROUGH THE COLD ONE THING CERTAIN WHICH EVER CHOICE I MAKE ONE MAN, HE’S HAD ALL THAT HE CAN TAKE Just ONE MAN AND THREE WAYS TO GO TO THE EAST, TO THE WEST OR DOWN NORTH THROUGH THE COLD ONE THING CERTAIN WHICH EVER ROUTE I TAKE IT’S ONE MAN’S DECISION TO MAKE
3.
HOUSE FULL OF NIGHTMARES I’LL ONLY BEND UNTIL I BREAK BECAUSE THERE’S ONLY SO MUCH BULLSHIT THAT I CAN TAKE I’VE WALKED THE MILES YOU MADE ME CRAWL A FEW EXPLAIN THE PAIN ‘CAUSE IT’S SOMETHING NEW (PRE-CHORUS) IF I’M SO FREE WHY DO I FEEL SO TRAPPED INSIDE EXPECTING THAT IT COULD BE SUCH AN EASY RIDE BUT EVEN OPEN EYSE DON’T AWAKE ME FROM THE DREAM BECAUSE THE PANG OF YOUR CRIES JUST KEEPS ON ECHOING (CHORUS) SHE CAME INTO MY LIFE TAKING ALL THAT I HAD TO BEAR AND AFTR THIS SHE LEAVES ME WITH A HOUSE FULL OF NIGHTMARES HER STYLE WAS BLACK AS LEATHER CLASHING WITH HER GOLDEN HAIR THE JUDAS KISS I COULD NOT RESIST A HOUSE FULL OF NIGHTMARES I PLAY THE KING BUT LIVE THE FOOL THE LIARS FLAME IS GLOWING COLD I’VE SEEN THE SIGHTS YES, I’VE MADE A FEW EXPLAIN THE PAIN THAT I’M STUMBLING THROUGH (PRE-CHORUS) IF I’M SO FREE WHY DO I FEEL SO TRAPPED INSIDE EXPECTING THAT IT COULD BE SUCH AN EASY RIDE BUT EVEN OPEN EYES DON’T AWAKE ME FROM THE DREAM BECAUSE THE PANG OF YOUR CRIES JUST KEEPS ON ECHOING (CHORUS) SHE CAME INTO MY LIFE TAKING ALL THAT I HAD TO BEAR AND AFTR THIS SHE LEAVES ME WITH A HOUSE FULL OF NIGHTMARES HER STYLE WAS BLACK AS LEATHER CLASHING WITH HER GOLDEN HAIR THE JUDAS KISS I COULD NOT RESIST A HOUSE FULL OF NIGHTMARES
4.
Book of Life 06:31
BOOK OF LIFE NEED SOME AIR NEED TO CLEAR MY MIND NEED TO ESCAPE TO THE OUTSIDE AND AS I WALK IT OCCURS TO ME WHAT’S BECOME OF WHAT USED TO BE ALWAYS GIVEN EVERYTHING SAFE UNDER YOUR MAMA’S WING A FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY WAS MADE NOW REAL LIFE HAS LEFT YOU FEELING BETRAYED (CHORUS) Just WHERE IS IT WRITTEN THAT WE MUST ALL LIVE WITH TROUBLE AND STRIFE WHAT BOOK WAS BITTEN, OUT THE THROAT OF A TRANQUIL LIFE WHERE IS IT WRITTEN THAT WE MUST HELPLESSLY WATCH OUR LOVED ONES DIE BUT MORE AND MORE THE TEARS THAT WE CRY WILL WASH THE INK FROM THis BOOK OF LIFE NEED SOME SPACE NEED TO BE ALONE NEED TO GET BACK TO THE DANGER ZONE PICK UP THE PACE AS I WALK ALONG INVALUABLE WERE THOSE LESSONS LEARNED ALWAYS TAKING LIFE TOO FAR SAFE FROM OUR FATHER’S ARM A SENSE OF IMMORTALITY WAS EARNED INVALUABLE WERE THOSE LESSONS LEARNED (CHORUS) WHERE IS IT WRITTEN THAT WE MUST ALL LIVE WITH TROUBLE AND STRIFE WHAT BOOK WAS BITTEN, OUT THE THROAT OF A TRANQUIL LIFE WHERE IS IT WRITTEN THAT WE MUST HELPLESSLY WATCH OUR LOVED ONES DIE BUT MORE AND MORE THE TEARS THAT WE CRY WILL WASH THE INK FROM THis BOOK OF LIFE SO TAKE SOME TIME AND CLEAR YOUR MIND AND SEARCH BEYOND TO THE OTHER SIDE TAKE A LOOK IT’S SO CLEAR TO SEE THE CHAIN LINKS CALLED REALITY ALWAYS GIVEN EVERYTHING SAFE UNDER YOUR MAMA’S WING A FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY WAS MADE THIS REAL LIFE HAS LEFT US FEELING BETRAYED (CHORUS) WHERE IS IT WRITTEN THAT WE MUST, ALL LIVE WITH TROUBLE AND STRIFE WHAT BOOK WAS BITTEN OUT THE THROAT OF A TRANQUIL LIFE WHERE IS IT WRITTEN THAT WE MUST HELPLESSLY WATCH OUT LOVED ONES DIE BUT MORE AND MORE THE TEARS THAT WE CRY WILL WASH THE INK FROM THE BOOK OF LIFE
5.
Misery 04:36
MISERY IF I TOOK MY LIFE TODAY WHAT AN EVIL GAME I’D PLAY FOR IN THE GAME OF LIFE I’VE LOST, I’VE GIVEN IN I’VE LOST THE TOSS AND ALL MY WORRIES I’D LEAVE TO YOU TO SOLVE MY PROBLEMS SOMETHING I COULDN’T DO AND FOR THE PEOPLE WHO CARED FOR ME I’D LEAVE THEIR LIVES IN MISERY (PRE-CHORUS) I TRY TO FIND A REASON TO LIVE TO START MY LIFE ANEW BUT OUR SOULS ARE NOW IN SEASON AND I’M GIVING MINE TO YOU (CHORUS) A LIFE OF HORROR AND BLINDING DREAMS AT NIGHT I AWAKEN TO HEAR THE SCREAMS OF ALL THESE SOULS WHO’VE GONE AHEAD OF ME ENDING THEIR LIVES OF MISERY WHO REALLY CARES BUT ITS TOO LATE IT'S WITH THE REAPER I HAVE A DATE AND FOR THE ONES WHO WEPT AND CRIED I’M GIVING THEM MY FINAL SIGH IN THIS LIFE I HAVE SINNED I PLAYED A GAME I COULD NOT WIN A WARPED TWISTED WICKED REIGN NOW BOW YOUR HEAD AND FEEL MY PAIN (PRE-CHORUS) I TRY TO FIND A REASON TO LIVE TO START MY LIFE ANEW BUT OUR SOULS ARE NOW IN SEASON AND I’M GIVING MINE TO YOU (CHORUS) A LIFE OF HORROR AND BLINDING DREAMS AT NIGHT I AWAKEN TO HEAR THE SCREAMS OF ALL THESE SOULS WHO’VE GONE AHEAD OF ME ENDING THEIR LIVES OF MISERY
6.
Dream Demon 07:01
DREAM DEMON I AM THE NIGHTMARE THAT HIDES IN YOUR ROOM THE FORTUNE TELLER WHO TELLS ONLY DOOM IN DARKENED CORNERS I’M WAITING FOR YOU I HAVE THE PATIENCE AND YOU’LL BE MINE SOON YOU SAY YOUR PRAYERS BEFORE YOU GO TO BED TO KEEP ME SILENT WHLE YOU REST YOUR HEAD YOU THINK YOUR SAFE SO YOU FALL ASLEEP BUT UNDER YOUR COVERS I NAW YOUR RAW MEAT (PRE-CHORUS) I’LL BRING YOU DOWN TO YOUR BEGGING KNEES IGNORING ALL OF YOUR FINAL PLEAS YET THE FIRES BURNING SO DEEP IN MY EYES NO HELP OR WARNING TO SAY YOUR GOODBYES (CHORUS) THE DREAM DEMON HE LIVES OF THIS NIGHT HE’S STALKING THE HOUSES WHERE THERE IS NO LIGHT YOU BETTER HOPE THE SUN WILL SHINE SOON OR YOUR BE WALKING IN THE DREAM DEMON’S TOMB YOUR EYES GROW HEAVY AND YOUR SPIRITS SINKING LOW THE MIDNIGHT HOUR IS BECKONING YOU TO GO A DISTANT CALLING A VOICE FROM YOUR PAST NO TIME TO SCREAM AS YOUR HEART BEATS IT’S LAST SO, YOU AWAKEN AND IT'S DARK AND COLD YOU FEEL SO LONELY LIKE YOUR GETTING OLD YOU TRY TO MOVE TO GET UP FROM YOUR BED BUT THEY SLAM THE LID DOWN AND PRONOUNCE YOU DEAD (PRE-CHORUS) I’LL BRING YOU DOWN TO YOUR BEGGING KNEES IGNORING ALL OF YOUR FINAL PLEAS YET THE FIRES BURNING SO DEEP IN MY EYES NO HELP OR WARNING TO SAY YOUR GOODBYES (CHORUS) THE DREAM DEMON HE LIVES OF THIS NIGHT HES STALKING THE HOUSES WHERE THERE IS NO LIGHT YOU BETTER HOPE THE SUN WILL SHINE SOON OR YOUR BE WALKING IN THE DREAM DEMON’S TOMB (PRE-CHORUS) I’LL BRING YOU DOWN TO YOUR BEGGING KNEES IGNORING ALL OF YOUR FINAL PLEAS YET THE FIRES BURNING SO DEEP IN MY EYES NO HELP OR WARNING TO SAY YOUR GOODBYES (CHORUS) THE DREAM DEMON HE LIVES OF THIS NIGHT HE’S STALKING THE HOUSES WHERE THERE IS NO LIGHT YOU BETTER HOPE THE SUN WILL SHINE SOON OR YOUR BE WALKING IN THE DREAM DEMON’S TOMB
7.
TIDES OF DESTINY CAUGHT UP IN THIS NEW WORLD SOMETHINGS HOLDING YOU BACK YOUR FUTURE STARTS TO UNFOLD YOU SHOULD BE LEADING THE PACK ONCE FILLED WITH THE FIRE THAT SPARKED THE POWERFUL MINDS KINGDOMS BUILT WITH DESIRE THE KEY OF DREAMS YOU MUST FIND (PRE-CHORUS) BUT We’LL KEEP PLAYING THE FOOL’S GAME UNTIL WE GET IT RIGHT ANOTHER FACE JUST ANOTHER NAME IN THE RACE OF LIFE (CHORUS) A VICTIM DROWNING IN THE POOL OF HUMANITY KEEPING YOUR HEAD ABOVE THE WAVES OF REALITY JUST A VICTIM DROWNING IN THE POOL OF HUMANITY SINKING BELOW THE ENDLESS TIDES OF DESTINY EVERYBODY GOT SOMEONE BUT I GOT LOST IN MYSELF ONCE HAD PEOPLE TO COUNT ON UNTIL MY MIND SPLIT IN HALF SINCE THEN I FOUND NEW MEANS TO FIND THE PLEASURES IN LIFE FOUND THE ANCIENT KEY OF DREAMS BUT IT CUTS ME LIKE A KNIFE (PRE-CHORUS) BUT We’LL KEEP PLAYING THE FOOL’S GAME UNTIL WE GET IT RIGHT ANOTHER FACE JUST ANOTHER NAME IN THE RACE OF LIFE (CHORUS) A VICTIM DROWNING IN THE POOL OF HUMANITY KEEPING YOUR HEAD ABOVE THE WAVES OF REALITY JUST A VICTIM DROWNING IN THE POOL OF HUMANITY SINKING BELOW THE ENDLESS TIDES OF DESTINY (PRE-CHORUS) BUT We’LL KEEP PLAYING THE FOOL’S GAME UNTIL WE GET IT RIGHT ANOTHER FACE JUST ANOTHER NAME IN THE RACE OF LIFE (CHORUS) A VICTIM DROWNING IN THE POOL OF HUMANITY KEEPING YOUR HEAD ABOVE THE WAVES OF REALITY JUST A VICTIM DROWNING IN THE POOL OF HUMANITY SINKING BELOW THE ENDLESS TIDES OF DESTINY
8.
LOST IN THE FIRE WHEN YOU COME BACK TO YOUR SENSES TAKE A FRESH LOOK AROUND AT ALL YOUR DREAMS AND NO MORE FENCES TODAY DESTINY HAS LIFTED UP YOUR SHROUD YOU FEEL THE EYES OF THE WORLD UPON YOU BUT NEVER LET THEM SEE YOUR SOUL YOU RIDE THE LIGHT OF THE SUN UNTIL YOU BREAK THROUGH AND LET THE CHAINS OF YOUR PAST LIFE GROW OLD (PRE-CHORUS) CLIMB THE STAIRS TO ETERNITY IT'S JUST A DOOR WITHOUT A KEY YOU FIND THE GOLD THAT YOU’RE LOOKING FOR IS ALSO LOCKED BEHIND THE DOOR (CHORUS) LOST IN THE FIRE WHERE THE SHADOWS CRIED LOST IN THE FIRE WHERE THE SHADOWS LIED WHEN YOU HEAR THE WHISPERS OF POWER LISTEN CLOSE BUT DON’T BE DECEIVED HOLD ON UNTIL YOUR FINAL HOUR AND KEEP STRAIGHT YOUR WANTS FROM YOUR NEEDS YOU RULE OVER A KINGDOM A PLACE YOU KNOW COULD NEVER BE IF ONLY YOUR VISIONS OF WISDOM WEREN’T JUST DREAMS OF FANTASY (PRE-CHORUS) CLIMB THE STAIRS TO ETERNITY IT'S JUST A DOOR WITHOUT A KEY YOU FIND THE GOLD THAT YOU’RE LOOKING FOR IS ALSO LOCKED BEHIND THE DOOR (CHORUS) LOST IN THE FIRE WHERE THE SHADOWS HIDE LOST IN THE FIRE WHERE THE SHADOWS CRIED Lost in the Fire (PRE-CHORUS) CLIMB THE STAIRS TO ETERNITY IT'S JUST A DOOR WITHOUT A KEY FIND THE GOLD THAT YOU’RE LOOKING FOR IS ALSO LOCKED BEHIND THE DOOR (CHORUS) LOST IN THE FIRE WHERE THE SHADOWS HIDE LOST IN THE FIRE WHERE THE SHADOWS CRIED LOST IN THE FIRE WHERE THE SHADOWS LIED LOST IN THE FIRE WHERE THE SHADOWS DIED LOST IN THE FIRE

about

DRAXXIS was formed in 1985 by guitarists Dan Kuhta and Greg Gladysiewski, bassist Bill Kuhta, and drummer Chuck Wagner, with vocalist Melvin Shearer in Ford City, Pennsylvania, located on the outskirts of Steel City.

As with most bands, DRAXXIS began to cut their teeth as a cover band performing songs by heavy metal heavyweights such as IRON MAIDEN, SAVATAGE, MOTLEY CRUE METALLICA and METAL CHURCH. By mid-1986, Shearer would depart the band. That fall, DRAXXIS recruited a 17-year-old fan of the band named Paul Revay to replace Shearer.

In March of 1989, DRAXXIS went into Susquehanna Sound studio in Northumberland to lay down four tracks for the band’s self-produced debut. The 24-track-EP was released under the band’s own label Kikin Records. The release would receive a limited distribution. Still, DRAXXIS managed to build a strong following. Local college radio stations would help the band’s growing buzz by giving them plenty of airplay. The EP was well-received among the local heavy metal scene. The band’s reputation and fanbase were growing at home, but demo submissions to labels garnered no response.

The following year both Kuhta brothers would leave the band and be replaced by guitarist David Roman and bassist Jim Tedeski. With the two new editions, DRAXXIS would write and rehearse for a period evolving into a more mature and complex ensemble while maintaining a strong infinity with the implementation of newfound synergy.

In the Fall of 1992, DRAXXIS began to play several shows that began on October 23rd and culminated on May 28th 1993, with Metal Militia III Festival alongside several other Pittsburgh metal acts. Not long after Metal Malitia III DRAXXIS would begin preparations for the second EP. This time the group had a new objective, to secure a record deal.

Recorded at Audiomation in Pittsburgh and once again self-produced by the band, ‘Book of Life’ would be released under the Kikin label. The 4-song EP presented a now more mature band. The group's popularity continued to grow, this did little to gain record label attention. Several copies of the release and promotional packs were unsolicitedly sent out to labels to no avail. As with most heavy metal bands in the early 1990s,

DRAXXIS would see the signs of the shifting musical landscape changing as they begin to find it increasingly difficult to continue. The band finally parted ways in 1997. Occasionally Paul, Greg, Jim and Chuck would get together to write more songs, but this would not materialize into a proper reuniting of the band. Eventually, the band was simply no more.

credits

released March 10, 2023

DRAXXIS is:
Tracks 1-4
Chuck Wagner Drums
Greg Gladysiewski Guitars
Paul Revay Vocals
Jim Tedeski (R.I.P. 2008) Bass
Dave Roman Guitars

Tracks 5-8
Bill Kuhta Bass
Chuck Wagner Drums
Dan Kuhta Guitars
Greg Gladysiewski Guitars
Paul Revay Vocals

CREDITS:
Tracks 1-4 were recorded at Audiomation in Pittsburgh, PA in 1993.
Produced by Draxxis.

Tracks 5-8 were recorded at Susquehanna Sound Studio in Northumberland, PA in 1989
Produced by Draxxis

2023 Executive producers J. Golden & G. Shafer
Remastered by Jamie King studios in Winston Salem, NC
Artwork by Steve Cobb
Layout design by Chris Ferguson

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Heaven and Hell Records Pennsylvania

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