You can be just you Axel and that will be just perfect. Great song and production. You are really starting to hold notes with your vocals. and sing it out.  This really is a cracking song.

Exceptional in every way Axel.....Great story and expressed wonderfully......Lovely arrangement.

👏🏻👏🏻What a great performance Axel👏🏻👏🏻
👏🏻captivating & emotional 
👏🏻your voice / vocals are amazingly exceptional..
👏🏻beautiful songwriting going on..the composition & arrangement are very well thought out
👏🏻your instrumental accompaniment choices perfectly glue this altogether 
👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻Bravo my friend 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

Very sensitive, you did great Axel. Wonderful music and lyrics🙏🏼😊

Another blast , this is such a great track Axel , you should be so proud !

Such a genius metaphor, Axel! Love the raw feelings disguised as a dark creature. Ah, life sometimes can be dark indeed. Lovely and genius!

Intensiv, dunkel und echt. Metapher trifft Emotion – einfach klasse.

Copy of if you don’t love me

Another track from my upcoming Time Machine EP with music similar to Hidden Room, Time Machine, and Enigma.

An electro atmosphere with pop & hip hop beats at a chill 80 bpm

In contemplation of butterflies — to making the best of every moment of life. 

An original composition, No AI, written MIDI to DAW

…………..
With a lifespan of only two to four weeks, time is precious to butterflies, and it highlights a secret — butterflies possess timekeeping abilities in their antennae. 

They also can track the sun’s position with their eyes, a navigational skill used for migration, and their vision includes ultraviolet light, something humans cannot see. 

Of their many secrets — the sense of taste is in their feet, their wings are dead cells, they have existed for 60 million years, are biologically diverse with 20,000 species, and can fly as fast as 37 MPH or 59 KM/H — the fact that some butterfly species migrate thousands of miles during their short lifetimes is astonishing. 

Short lives necessitate making the best of every moment of life, and perhaps that’s the secret to the longevity of 60 million years of the butterfly species.
…………………….
Chill at 80 bpm
DAW: Apple Logic Pro X MIDI: Akai Professional Keyboard E-INSTRUMENTS: Concert Grand Ambient Lead synth Lunar Chords synth String Cycles synth 
Anthem Chord Arp synth
Crystals & Voices synth Fingerstyle Electric Bass
Deep Round Synth Bass
Minimal Techno Pattern bass
E-DRUM KITS:
Drum Synth Kit 
RnB Remix 
Hip Hop Kit
European Folk Kit

COVER ART is a composite using AI-generated images created by the DaVinci app to create original CGI designed in Photoshop.
 ………………..
.

Butterfly Secrets

A quiet chill jazz fusion atmosphere perhaps NuJazz with minimal percussion but a throbbing beat and electro, including one synth — a marimba sounding arp like a ticking clock — that I use in this  composition and a few new songs such as Hidden Room. Time Machine is the title track from my upcoming Time Machine EP. 
..................
With respect to H.G.Wells, I daresay that the brain, and more expansively, the mind is the best time machine of the cosmos. In fact, it created the idea of a time machine and discovered the physics that can someday engineer a time travel device. Time itself is a construct or an invention of the mind.

Our minds as time machines can instantly travel to the past — retrieving data about history and the physical world, and experiences from memory as if they happened today. Our minds can also zoom out to the future — conjuring a vision of how the world could look as a mental rehearsal, a daydream, a thought experiment, and a creative process for solving problems and making art. Or building time machines. 

We, humans, may be physically limited but our minds are not. And that gives me hope, even in the midst of chaos.
..................................
An original composition, no AI, produced digitally using a MIDI keyboard and DAW.

76 bpm

DAW: Apple Logic Pro X
MIDI: Akai Professional keyboard

E-INSTRUMENTS:
Concert Grand 
Ambient Lead
Cinema Strings
Violas
Lunar Chords
Rain Harp
Robot Talk
Deep Round Synth Bass
Upright Ballad Bass

E-DRUM KITS:
Drum N' Bass Remix
Trance Remix

COVER ART: AI-generated images via the DaVinci app and composition of the final art using Photoshop
..................................
.

Time Machine

Someone I Could Trust

I kissed you after hours of sipping whiskey sours and told you you were my best friend
I was lying in your bedding, dreaming ‘bout a wedding when you whispered it’s the end

I begged you to explain
Please tell me what changed
Was anything ever true?
You said it’s never been you

I thought I was keeping up but you left me in the dust 
I was shiny and brand new till you put me out to rust
I’m not used to stable but I was getting used to us
And I thought you were someone…
Someone I could trust

I hadn’t even left, when you lit a cigarette,
and blew the smoke right in my face
To the door I stumbled, through my tears I mumbled, 
you’re making a big mistake 

I begged you to explain
Please tell me what changed
Was anything ever true?
You said it’s me not you

I thought I was keeping up but you left me in the dust 
I was shiny and brand new till you put me out to rust
I’m not used to stable but I was getting used to us
And I thought you were someone…
Someone I could trust

I showed up to work late, put too much on my plate
Bought new clothes and cut my hair
Found someone who adores me, always reassures me
He says he’s not going anywhere 

But I don’t know if he’s honest
‘Cause you broke that same promise 
You swore you’d always keep
And now these scars run deep 

I thought I was keeping up but you left me in the dust 
I was shiny and brand new till you put me out to rust
I’m not used to stable but I was getting used to us
And I thought you were someone…
But you were never someone…
Someone I could trust

No you were never someone…
Someone I could trust

someone i could trust

Lyrics:

 i think i was born different 
a little magical, a little rare
 like while people star-gazed
 i saw worlds in my head
it felt lonely 
that no one could understand

 i’ve never been able to be  fully here 
because half of me died  before i was ten
 i’ve never known  a life without grief 
but i promised myself  i would create something out of it
 and despite the downfalls
 i followed those dreams 

the emptiness  echoed so loud 
that i fell in love  with designing sounds
 but a part of me  is still there  by the door  
waiting for someone 
to come home 

i was too young  to know betrayal  
the way i did 
some days i wish  i just got 
to be a kid
so i think it’s time  to return to her  
and seek out justice for all the times
 everyone pretended  they didn’t notice
i was getting hurt

the emptiness  echoed so loud 
that i fell in love  with designing sounds
 but a part of me  is still there  by the door  
waiting for someone 
to come home 

no one loved me hard enough
 for me to believe it 
i became an orchestra of longing
to be found— except no one ever did

so i tucked my thoughts  so deep within 
i woke up one day  and i was out of reach
it was different once i turned sixteen
and my wounds became  
displayed on my skin

the emptiness  echoed so loud 
that i fell in love  with designing sounds
 but a part of me  is still there  by the door  
waiting for someone 
to come home 

i murmur spells 
while the world sleeps
 i still got magic
growing inside of me

i murmur spells 
while the world sleeps
 i still got magic
growing inside of me

GRIMOIRE (Demo)

“Losing Control” drifts through the storm of sorrow, where rain washes away the past and silence speaks louder than words. It's a soul unraveling—through pain, through numbness—until a glimmer of light breaks the dark. From losing oneself to finding hope in love again, the song is a slow burn of release, reflection, and rebirth.

Break The Matrix

Losing Control

Losing Control (2025 Remastered)

Break My Record

Gentlemen, please start your engines
We’ll go on the count of three 
Buckle up, get ready for action 
Do you think you can keep up with me?

Vroom, vroom, vroom, ready or not
Pedal to the metal, give it all you got
Bang, bang, bang, sounds so frightening 
I’m striking faster than Texas lightning

You might be quick, but honey I’m quicker
The track is slick, but baby I’m slicker
My tank is full and the flag is checkered
And ain’t nobody gonna break my record

If you don’t like the heat, leave the kitchen
If you can’t keep the pace, switch lanes
I’m the leader of a no fail mission
Do you think you can handle the pain?

Vroom, vroom, vroom, ready or not
Pedal to the metal, give it all you got
Bang, bang, bang, fire that pistol
I’m driving faster than Dale at Bristol 

You might be quick, but honey I’m quicker
The track is slick, but baby I’m slicker
My tank is full and the flag is checkered
And ain’t nobody gonna break my record

Boy, you look dumbstruck
by my full scale invasion
Boy, this ain’t dumb luck
This is total domination

Vroom, vroom, vroom, ready or not
Pedal to the metal, give it all you got
Bang, bang, bang, shoot that gun
One of us is losing and I ain’t the one

You might be quick, but honey I’m quicker
The track is slick, but baby I’m slicker
My tank is full and the flag is checkered
And ain’t nobody gonna break my record

You might be quick, but honey I’m quicker
The track is slick, but baby I’m slicker
My tank is full and the flag is checkered
And ain’t nobody gonna break my record

I said ain’t nobody gonna break my record

Lyrics © 2025 Brooke Justus. All Rights Reserved.

break my record

I just redid the mix and fixed the drums, and some of the more glaring vocal problems, and got that cool guitar lead to shine a little. It sounds a lot better now.
Please pardon my vocals, this is actually for a female artist. Not autobiographical, just a story. My apologies to Irma Thomas.

You were my angel, and i was under your spell
And you promised life would be a fairytale
But i was no more than your possession
And you put me through hell
Though you called it heaven

And everytime i tried to leave, you’d just wave your hand
And I’d come crawling back on my knees
I would pray you’d treat me better
When you’d smile at me so sad and so sweet

But something’s changed inside, I can see now who you are
and that sweet smile aint gonna get you very far!

Now who’s the one? Who’s down on their knees?
No need to beg, there’s nothing left that you can take from me
You don’t have any power here no more
Well you’ve lost your wings, and I know just what you’re here for
You are no angel, you are a devil, to the core
And you ain’t welcome here no more

Don’t come back inside, don’t put your bags down on the floor
You ain’t welcome here no more

You ain't welcome here no more

“I Wish (I Was Like You)” is an emotional song about longing, self-denial, and the fear of hurting those we care about — wrapped in a dark, poetic vampire metaphor.

I love exploring different genres and diving into new musical worlds — and right now, it's musical theatre that's calling me.

This song is part of a musical project in collaboration with Sarah Paradise Brown, centered around themes of inner conflict, unfulfilled love, and the tension between light and darkness.

A new song with Sarah is already in the works — and there may be more to come as we continue to unfold this mysterious chapter.

Lyrics / Music / Vocals: 
Axel Menningen



"I wish (I was like you)"

You wake up with the sun in your eyes.
You breathe like nothing hurts.
You laugh like life is simple.
I watch you from the dark.

I try to move like you.
To speak like you.
But my steps are too heavy.
And something inside me always pulls me back.

I wish I was like you.
I wish I didn't want what I want.
I wish I could be close
without the fear,
without the hunger.
But I can't.

You hold my hand like it's safe.
You look at me like I'm still human.
And for a moment,
I almost believe it.

But the night speaks to me.
It whispers what I am.
And the blood calls louder
than your voice ever could.

I wish I was like you.
I wish I didn't want what I want.
I wish I could be close
without the fear,
without the hunger.
But I can't.

I don't want to hurt you.
I don't want to lose myself.
But if I choose you,
I lose what keeps me alive.

I wish I was like you.
I wish I could just love.
But I'm built for hunger,
not for peace.
Not for love.
Not like you.

I Wish (I Was Like You)

Epic ☆Trap-Dub with a Blend of Moviescore with lots of-> synths, strings, cool variety of drumms, fx sounds, saxophone, bass, keys & much more
#TrapCinematic

#CinematicTrap

#EpicTrap

#InstrumentalTrap

#TrapBeat

#CinematicInstrumental

#TrapScore

#TrapOrchestral

#HybridTrap

#NewMusic

#SoundCloudFinds

#UndergroundBeats

#MusicProducer

#Beatmaker

#UpNext

#SupportIndependentArtists

#SoundCloudDaily

"Digit@l Paradox" PT II

This song is a new one written this year and it's about how we've all become Broken Mirrors in some way. All of us, we were a loving people, not a cruel people, we were a caring people, not a hateful people, we were a hard working and strong people but also a very fragile people and I feel we've become a little bit more shattered in recent years. Our beliefs and hopes have diminished somewhat and this song reflects that broken mirror in us all. It's harder and harder to stay positive in this crazy hateful world today. I sang this one since Charlie was not available. I think the mix was too loud but I'm having problems with my computer and couldn't adjust the sound in my film editor like I usually do. 

VIDEO - https://youtu.be/CUpzZLL-xJc

I worked hard on the video and tried to follow the lyrics as close as possible. It will drop on August 1st on YouTube. It's about our lack of empathy as of late and this constant hatred for other people that I now sense in this great country of ours!.  So I asked myself, how did we get here? When a country starts depriving its citizens of basic needs like healthcare and not helping our senior citizens and ignoring the less fortunate among us and stop assistance for veterans (like me) that risked our lives for this country, then we're on a road to destruction and our government has failed us.  All I can do is write songs, so songs I shall write. I still believe in love, love is always the answer!  Take care & God bless!🙏😎✌🏼

“BROKEN MIRRORS"

WE LIVE INSIDE OUR CASTLES,
WE HIDE BEHIND OUR WALLS,
WARM AND SECURE, NEVER ENDURE,  
HARDSHIPS THAT BEFALL,             
THE CRESTFALLEN AMONG US,
THE ONES THAT WE IGNORE,      

PRETEND THEY DON’T EXIST,
PERHAPS THEY’LL MELT AWAY, 
THEY’LL DISAPPEAR, ALONG WITH FEARS, 
WE MAY BE THEM ONE DAY,
THEY REALLY NEVER MATTERED,
THE WRETCHED WE DEPLORE, 

BROKEN MIRRORS, BROKEN MINDS,
SOMETIMES WE CHOOSE TO BE BLIND,
CONVINCE OURSELVES, WE’RE MILES ABOVE,  
THOSE THAT BEG AND CRAWL,
 BROKEN MIRROR ALWAYS REFLECT, 
 WHAT’S BROKEN IN US ALL,

MAN IS A STRANGE CREATURE,
SO CRUEL BUT YET SO KIND, 
OUR TAPESTRY IS OUR ARTISTRY,
OUR HEART SOMETIMES SUBLIME,    
YET SOME HAVE A DARKER SIDE,
THEY LURK BEHIND SATAN'S DOOR,  

     BROKEN MIRRORS, BROKEN MINDS,
     SOMETIMES WE CHOOSE TO BE BLIND,
     CONVINCE OURSELVES, WE’RE MILES ABOVE,  
     THOSE THAT BEG AND CRAWL,
     BROKEN MIRROR ALWAYS REFLECT, 
     WHAT’S BROKEN IN US ALL.

 BY JIM VALDES © 2025

"BROKEN MIRRORS" (Video - https://youtu.be/CUpzZLL-xJc)

Lyrics:

I was king of the world, walked the land so free
Mountains bowed to me, no danger to see
But I felt the winds change, heard the sky break wide
A fireball’s coming, there’s nowhere to hide

The ground shakes beneath my feet
The air's grown stale, yet bittersweet
And I can see the end, it’s written in flames
Nothing we built will ever remain

I called the comet just a spark
A flicker meant to light the dark
I said that God would let us be
That fire was never meant for me
We crowned the beast and closed one eye
Then dared the world to split the sky
But soon the leopards bare their teeth
And tear the lies from underneath

We carved our thrones from wax and pride
Then struck the sparks we couldn’t hide
Laughed at crows that lined the wires
Mocked the smoke before the fires

The fireball splits the skies
To advertise my lies
are just maggots and flies

Now I see the end 
is written in flames
Nothing we built will ever remain

First came silence, fear and dread
The world shuddered and mourned the dead
Crows took flight with silver cries
To peck the rot and eat the flies

Then came the dawn, with truth ablaze
Children yelled through smoke and haze
Science grew roots, the wise made rain
And broke the world out from my chain

They scrawled my name on walls of shame
Unmasked the lies that fed my name
My echo burned, my shadow banned
No idols left, no thieving hand

I fed the lies until they screamed
I kiss the storm I make-believed
The old wax throne, just melt and bone
Ground to dust by minds full grown

The fireballs coming
I made it so
Truth is not a democratic show
It is a force of nature though
It doesn’t ask
It only shows

Fireball

I listen to the wind blow
I hear the creaks of the old screen door
What was once a storybook house
Is now the neighborhood eyesore 

I peer out through the window
You park the car in our driveway
I watch you check the mailbox
The same routine on a different day 

Then you come inside and you snort a line
And you’re stoned on misery by nine
While I’m wide awake mind racing after two
Wishing I was braver so I could say to you

If you don’t love me, don’t pretend you do
If you don’t need me, find somebody new
It’ll take some time and a lot of wine
But I’ll be fine ‘cause I can find
A man who knows he wants me too
If you don’t love me, don’t pretend you do 

I feel it when you come home 
You walk right by and don’t say hello
I find stains on the carpet
Blood red from your spilled Merlot

And I see it in your tired eyes
There’s no joy in that vacant stare
So you down another bottle
Pass out cold in the lazy chair 

Then I head upstairs to cry a prayer
and ask God why life’s so unfair 
And why I had to draw the hand I drew
And beg him for courage so I can say to you

If you don’t love me, don’t pretend you do
If you don’t need me, find somebody new
It’ll take some time and a lot of wine
But I’ll be fine ‘cause I can find
A man who knows he wants me too
If you don’t love me, don’t pretend you do 

If it were up to me, we’d always be
Two carefree kids sitting in a tree
But I’ve learned fairytales just don’t come true
And it wouldn’t be me if it were up to you

If you don’t love me, don’t pretend you do
If you don’t need me, find somebody new
It’ll take some time and a lot of wine
But I’ll be fine ‘cause I can find
A man who knows he wants me too
So if you don’t love me, don’t pretend you do

if you don’t love me

Way overdue for something new but I've been living in exile without the usual, albeit modest, setup I'm used to. So this might be pretty rough. And it's full of the usual horror at political realities and way full of schmaltzy velveeta. 

Guitarist note:  I don't have amps at present and was struggling to find a decent direct sound. There is a *free* VST plugin by Neural Amp DSP and online libraries of tone prints, also free, that came to the rescue. Highly recommended.

it's alright for you as long as it's alright
you don't mind what they do in the broad daylight

it never could be you

but you don't see the way you're blinded
they'll never drag you down to the places meant for those

do you feel the color of your soul
when you live with love suspended hiding in a hole
the moment is yours but you don't believe 
you won't believe what lies there ripening 
growing in your mind without you knowing

now it could be you

and as you feel the weight of the binding
you know they're dragging you down to the places meant for those

to liberate the light of every heart and mind
you can say it never paying any price

there's a little part of everyone that knows 
we're only playing separate lives 
till true faith arrives

if there's every gonna be a change 
let it start right here

you know it could be you

It Could Be You

Hello everyone,
this is the second part – or rather, another chapter – of my musical theater project.
For this song, I’m lucky enough to be joined by Sarah Paradise-Brown, whose incredible voice gives this piece a very special depth.

"Blood" is a song about a seemingly hopeless love between a woman and a vampire. It tells a story of longing, danger, and the bittersweet realization that this love can never be fulfilled. Between attraction and pain, both struggle with the desire that binds them and the necessity of letting go so they won’t destroy each other. 

Video now on YouTube: https://youtu.be/wrYE7F06mwU



Blood

Your scent is moonlight on the wind
A promise wrapped in trembling skin
I hold you close, but not too near
For what I want is what you fear

You breathe like fire beneath restraint
Your touch is warm, your world is faint
And though your lips could steal my soul
I’d give you all, and not feel cold

You shine where I can never go
But still I linger in your glow
If love means letting go of fire
Then let us rise above desire

Blood is calling from below
Blood is more than I should know
Blood would turn the night to me
But love… wants more than destiny
Blood is silence wrapped in sound
But love is where we won’t be bound

I've tasted death in every shade
But nothing made me feel this way
You made the world turn soft and slow
And showed me things I’ll never know

You gave me truth without disguise
A world of pain beneath your eyes
But I can't live with what you are
Even love can’t cross that scar

I want you…
I know...
I need you…
But we can’t...
So hold me once, then let me go
Don’t drink the love we’ve come to know

Blood is beating like a drum
Blood is where we both came from
Blood could bind me to your name
But love is not a thing to tame
Blood may sing, may plead, may flood…
But not tonight, not with blood

If I must live without your flame
Then I will carry still your name
If I must walk into the day
I’ll dream you home some other way
Some love survives, 
survives in broken light
But not tonight…

Not with blood!


_______________________________
Credits:
Vocals: Sarah Paradise-Brown &  Axel Menningen
Music: Axel Menningen
_______________________________

Blood

Dedicated to my great musical friend Atla who passed away some years ago 🙏.

Original Music by Charles Chambaz 
All instruments are performed by myself.
Vocals and lyrics by Atla Daga (RIP my dear)
 For more information, see my public Profile 
All rights reserved.  


The Last Sin - Charles Chambaz ft. Atla Daga (RIP)

"I Walk The Road To Nowhere" is a heartfelt country-folk ballad that tells the story of a man searching for light in the darkest of times. With raw acoustic guitar, haunting melodies, and deeply personal lyrics, the song paints a picture of walking a lonely road, torn between despair and hope. It’s both a prayer and a confession — a cry to God for guidance, strength, and redemption.

This track blends folk and country roots into something honest and soul-stirring — for anyone who’s ever felt lost, broken, and still dared to ask for help.

I Walk The Road To Nowhere

[Verse 1]
I walk the road to nowhere
No signs along the way
The wind blows around me
The rain comes again

[Verse 2]
I don’t even have a shadow
Because I don’t even have a light
All that surrounds me is the darkness
I’m so afraid of the night

[Chorus]
Give me light, my god
Show me the way, oh lord 
Help me to see
A better way
Give me light, my god
Hold my hand 
I'm tired and weary
I'm a lost and broken man 
I'm a lost and broken man 

[Verse 1]
You know  all my problems
You've seen all my tears
You've walked in my darkness
for all of these year  

[Verse 2]
I've taken the wrong road
Now I'm lost in the dark 
Please show me a light lord
I'm falling apart

[Chorus]
Give me light, my god
Show me the way, oh lord 
Help me to see
A better way
Give me light, my god
Hold my hand 
I'm tired and weary
I'm a lost and broken man 
I'm a lost and broken man 
A broken man

Dean R. Chandler 
02.09.2025

I Walk The Road To Nowhere

Hi, I’m Axel.
After a longer musical hibernation, I started making music again about three years ago – and honestly, it feels amazing! I’ve been hanging around on SoundCloud for about two years now, and I’m constantly blown away by the creativity, variety, and real talent to be found here.

Music is just a hobby for me – which is exactly why I have zero ambitions to make money with it. I’m here simply because it’s fun. So, a small request: Dear annoying promoters with your shady offers – please save us both the trouble, I’m not your guy. I’m not chasing follower counts, click records, or streaming millions. Sure, I’m happy when people listen – but what I value most is connecting with a few honest musicians who feel the same way I do. Quality over quantity, you know?

One thing I do find kind of sad: there’s so much AI-generated music floating around on SoundCloud, often without being labeled. Come on, folks – if a robot wrote your track, at least give R2-D2 the credits.

I play keyboards and have already had the pleasure of creating songs together with some wonderful musicians I met right here on SoundCloud – something I’d love to keep doing. For me, collaboration and exchange are a huge part of what makes music so exciting.

Tech corner, anyone? All my tracks are produced in Cubase 13 Pro. Over time, more and more VST instruments have snuck into my setup – from Spitfire and Native Instruments to Spectrasonics and more. My go-to drum sounds usually come from Toontrack, which have become the rhythmic backbone of many of my tracks. I’ll admit it: I’ve caught a bit of a collecting bug here. Sadly, it’s eating both my wallet and my hard drive space. Will it ever stop? Probably not. 🙄

Style-wise, I love exploring different genres with no limits. For me, the goal is simple: have fun, stay inspired, and keep growing creatively. And every time I stumble upon a track here on SoundCloud that really moves me – the kind of song you’d probably never hear on the radio – it feels like discovering a hidden treasure.

I’m really glad you found my channel – and I hope my music brings you as much joy as it brings me when I create it.

Visit me also on Youtube:
 https://youtube.com/@axelmenningen?si=c01MyCiAEs39qZPZ

On Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/axel_menningen_music/




I Wish (I Was Like You)

Axel Menningen

Recent comments

DestKorn

Rachel Goldie

Mike Fox

KiiMA

Related tracks