Time flies. This is the tenth studio album from German guitar maestro Axel Rudi Pell and if you are into the previous stuff you will also dig this jubilee disc, I guarantee it :)
One thing I really like about Axel Rudi Pell is that even though the guitar is the main creator it's not overdone, it's the actual songs that are in the centre.

The styles vary from Heavy Rock, to a very traditional Metal sound and also songs that could be labelled Power Metal.
Even though you could say that there isn't anything new under the sun, this is still a pretty interesting and varied album. The songs (not including the short suitable instrumental opener The Gate) can be categorized into four very general categories:


One fast song:

Flyin' High is one of the strongest songs of the album, a fast melodic cut with that classic Pell guitar lick leading the way, the melodic solo is really cool too.

Four mid-tempo ones:

The heavy rocking elements come to full life in the hard pounding Cold Heaven, added that catchy refrain that makes it hard not to sing along to. The strong vocal lines fit right in and helps along, creating another clear hit.

Strong As A Rock represents a slower but very hard grooving side of the album, a power track with a kick ass chorus. The relaxing keyboard mood adds more life to this otherwise very healthy cut with great deep bass chords in the ending section.

Only The Strong Will Survive features an extensive mid-section guitar solo that comes in pretty interesting while the leading riff on the other hand becomes a bit tedious. Not the albums best song but still above average.

Sailing Away has a central symphonic element coming from Ferdy Doernberg's keys and a relaxing rhythm guitar drive. A pretty good, soft and jamming song in need of that really exciting moment.

Two ballad-type songs:

On the softer ballad type of songs we find the fine Forever Angel, a rather polished song that nevertheless kicks in with great punch with the bombastic chorus. The keyboard and acoustic guitar collaborate nicely and Johnny Gioeli shows his fantastic and very powerful voice. The mellow and melodic guitar solo is mastered to perfection.

Sea Of Evil is a very slow track with a sensitive guitar melody and atmospheric keyboard arrangements. The chorus has an embracing and epic tendency making this a great song for reducing stress symptoms.

Two epic long-runners:

Legions Of Hell is an almost 9-minute monster with rather complex build-up, heavy guitar riffs, gloomy keyboards, mystic sounding lead hooks, deep bass foundation, cool drum details and a shredding guitar solo part. All in all a very good song that after all could have been given a more thrilling chorus.

Take The Crown features a mega tight bass approach from Volker Krawczak and together with the heavy drums from Mike Terrana and deep rhythm guitar riff we have ourselves a really heavy cut in the slower meaning of the word. The atmospheric mid-section and intense chorus gives it its spectacular touch; this song is one of the best due to its diverse nature and powerful drive.


All members do a really fine job, there aren't many completely breathtaking passages but the songs don't really need them anyway. This is Metal played with precision, strength and room for minor cool refinements here and there, as when Terrana hits a few extra skins or Pell adds another melody line.
If I should point at anything I miss it should be more fast songs or passages, it could have pepped things up just a bit.

The production is extremely clear and powerful while we lyrically are entering the classic Pell universe of magic, love and personal self-fulfilment, once again pretty well written and matching the feelings and moods of the songs.

Conclusion: A solid release containing all the elements we like from this band, not all ideas or melodies are over the top brilliant, but all songs have great things to offer and the album slowly builds into a well-put together and comprehensive experience.

Written by Tommy
Sunday, February 22, 2004
Show all reviews by Tommy

Ratings

Tommy: 7.5/10

Members: No members have rated this album yet.

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Comment by Ole Bach (Anonymous) - Sunday, February 22, 2004

Oh noooooooooooooooooo such a fantastic album got to have 10 out 1o.O.B.

Comment by ben@metalreviews.com (Anonymous) - Tuesday, July 6, 2004

Alot better than Shadow Zone. But I still wish Axel would concentrate more on songs such as Flyin High, Cold Heaven, Voodoo Nights, and ditch the "epics". His long songs just arent half as good as his to the point rockers. Ben

Comment by Mads J. (Anonymous) - Thursday, July 8, 2004

In my humble opinion just a standard Axel album. The same songs, structures and ideas as the last god knows how many albums. I got tired of this after The Masquerade Ball and Shadow Zone. This band consists of highly talented musicians, one of the best singers in metal...A shame they don't try to push it to a higher level.

Comment by gizmo (Member) - Saturday, July 11, 2009

View Profile Comments: 140 Ratings: 4 Is it just me or has Axel released the same album over and over again? Always liked his music but it has become a bit boring through the years and nowadays I only buy them when i find them cheap cause it´s like you know all the songs before you hear them. Eternal prisoner gotta be his best and his work with Steeler were great too, but now listen to one Pell album you have heard them all Posted by gizmo Saturday, July 11, 2009