Nothing new
Axel Rudi Pell is considered to be one of Germany’s finest guitarists and has been plying his trade for over 25 years. He has had a distinguished career, mainly solo (since 1989), which started off with German rockers Steeler, way back in ‘84. In his previous existences Axel has frequently covered songs by artists such as Free, Jimi Hendrix, Uriah Heep, Deep Purple, Rainbow and (wait for it) Alphaville?!!??
Just like Ritchie Blackmore, Axel too has quite a merry band of minstrels to call on. Drummer Mike Terrana has worked with many (Rage, Malmsteen, Masterplan) and has great credentials (we even share the same birthday!). Vocally they have a diamond in Johnny Gioeli (ex-Hardline)and is a long standing ARP singer. Completing the line up is bassist Volker Krawczak (Steeler) and Ferdy Doemberg on keys (Rough Silk, Uli Jon Roth). The ARP band is a stable one, and it shows. Like fellow countryman Matt Sinner, ARP is prolific in his output, 'Tales Of The Crown' being his eighteenth offering.
Johnny Gioeli is getting better with each and every passing album he performs on with Mr Pell. Opener ‘Higher’ is what I've begun to expect from Axel. Its a playing style and composition which harks back to the great days of Rainbow. Its a long opener, but all the nods are in the direction of Ritchie. Come to think of it, in a modern world where we’ve probably see the last of what Rock blood Ritchie has in him, its more than pleasant to hear his style of music being played so admirably by Axel.
Its a very solid performance from the band, but after my third review for ARP I somewhat get the feeling that I'm going over similar ground again. Its like Motorhead albums, ARP are never going to broaden your horizons or stretch boundaries, you know what you’re getting before you even listen to it. Its not a bad thing as I tend to like all things similar and formulaic, after all, if it ain't broke......!
If anything its slightly heavier and grittier than the last two offerings, and Gioeli’s settled in nicely with some rather good vocal performances. If they could only nail some anthemic memorable choruses they’d be much bigger than current.
'Angel Eyes' shows touches of the mighty Scorpions ‘Coming Home’and even ‘Riding On An Arrow’s’ riff is too close to ‘Make it Real’ for comfort. In general most of the album is from an 80’s sounding perspective, especially 'Crossfire'.
Its a solid effort but not ground breaking