The Band
About
ARAXA formed in 1977 in Protivín, South Bohemia. The early sound was shaped by Deep Purple, Uriah Heep and Rainbow. Between 1987 and 1992 the style hardened and ARAXA became one of the most in-demand heavy metal acts in the region.
Today the band plays as a seven-piece with two vocalists of contrasting styles. The set blends original material with covers from Accept, Helloween, Deep Purple and Ozzy Osbourne.
Members
Luboš Polák
guitar
Luboš Polák jr.
guitar
Roman „Čája" Blahůšek
bass guitar
Milan Brůžek
keyboards
Marek Dušek
drums
David Petrus
vocals
Roman Martinik
vocals
[PLACEHOLDER: Roman Martinik — individuální fotka chybí, dočasně skupinová fotografie]
History
ARAXA formed in 1977 in Protivín, South Bohemia. The early sound was shaped by Jiří Schelinger, Deep Purple, Uriah Heep and Rainbow, with a repertoire of hard rock covers alongside original material. After many lineup changes, 1987 brought a harder style influenced by Accept, Scorpions and Ozzy Osbourne, with Helloween, Iron Maiden and other metal acts of that era also becoming key influences. The years 1987 to 1992 were the most successful in the band's history — both in audience numbers and gigs played. ARAXA became one of the most sought-after heavy metal acts in the region and recorded at the České Budějovice radio studio. A distinctive feature of the sound at that time was the use of three lead guitars.
The period from 1993 to 1999 was the most difficult in the band's history, as the disco wave brought declining interest in live music and further lineup changes, but the core of the band held on. A highlight of that difficult stretch was the 20th anniversary concert in August 1997 at the Protivín Sokol hall, where most former bandmates joined on stage and proved that good music always has a place on a concert stage.