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Artist: Axel Rudi Pell |
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To coincide with the 10th
anniversary of the Axel Rudi Pell band's current set-up, SPV/Steamhammer
have released this new Greatest Hits compilation spanning those 10
years. Appropriately enough this year is also the 25th anniversary of
Axel as a recording artist. The album contains 10 original tracks and 2 covers (U2's 'Beautiful Day' and Phil Collins 'In The Air Tonight') from the 'Diamonds Unlocked' album. The album kicks off though with 'Edge of The World' from 2002's 'Shadow Zone'. This is a barnstorming start to the album, a perfect opener driven along at 110mph by some ferocious kick drum and Johnny Gioeli's instantly recognisable vocals. 'Carousel' follows, (from the album 'Oceans of Time') and is another uplifting, barnstorming track, with a lovely guitar riff and soaring vocals. Kinda reminds me of Europe! The next track 'Strong As A Rock' from the 'Kings and Queens' album, is a slow burner, again with the soaring vocals and a crowd pleasing chorus which makes you want to pump your fists in the air! 'Beautiful Day' is next, the first of the covers on the album. This is probably better than the original version of the song! Again, very uplifting vocals, and the track has the unmistakable stamp of the Pell "sound" throughout. 'Mystica' follows from the 2006 album of the same name. Slightly slower than the tracks that have gone before, it's still a great tune and probably the best example of Pell's style. The track also has a crushing, crunchy riff which compliments Gioeli's vocals well. Now for the "lighters in the air" moment of the album: 'Forever Angel' (Acoustic), taken from 'The Ballads III'. This track is probably the best showcase for Gioeli's strong vocals. It's basically stripped down with the vocals and a couple of acoustic guitars for company and sits well with the heavier material. A "breather" moment, as it were! 'The Masquerade Ball' follows from the eponymous album. It starts off sparse and building up into a soaring rock ballad.....with a great, sprawling guitar solo included. 'Rock The Nation', probably one of Pell's most well-known tracks, is up next. Again taken from 'Mystica', this is another fist-pumper with a memorable chorus and probably my favourite track on the album! The album continues with 'Oceans of Time', another title track from one of the early albums in this period. Again another ballady track, this is another slow burner and a fine example of what Axel does best. 'Tear Down The Walls' ups the tempo a notch with it's chugging riff. Taken from 'The Masquerade Ball', it's a solid rocker with a catchy guitar part and another impressive solo, showing off Axel's versatility with his instrument again. The penultimate track 'Ain't Gonna Win' is probably the heaviest track on the album and the most recent, being culled from last year's 'Tales of The Crown' album. The guitars seem to be cranked up to 11 and a hint of a thrash influence comes to the fore with the heavy riff. One of the outstanding tracks on the album. The album finishes with the cover of 'In The Air Tonight', which we all know as the tune on the chocolate advert with the gorilla (lol). This is an excellent cover which again has the Axel 'stamp' on it, which sets it miles apart from the original with some beautiful guitar work and even a funky breakdown, before it speeds up into an ending which is a headbangers delight! A great introduction to a quality artist celebrating 25 years at the top. Review by: Dan Armstrong |
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Tracklisting:
1. Edge Of The World |
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All content copyright of The Mayfair Mall Zine unless otherwise stated. |
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