Artist: Axel Rudi Pell  
   Title: Tales Of The Crown
   Label: SPV Records

Hot on the heels of the excellent 'Live Over Europe' DVD, the guitar talent this is Axel Rudi Pell returns with his new studio opus ‘Tales Of The Crown’ and again the guitarist shows why he has been at the top of guitar players guitar player list for a number of years, with his virtuoso guitar playing and unique stand-backish approach to his style.

Where most guitar players take a more centre stage role Pell has always united the guitar and vocals with equal fortitude and this has made his music more approachable than say Malmsteen and their like.  Yes they are great guitar players, but the vocals always seem to be an afterthought, whereas Pell makes them equally important as the guitar.

And this again is another superb album by the man with once again the massive vocals of Johnny Gioeli adding that extra something to the bands sound, joined by the powerful rhythm section of Mike Terrana on drums, Volker Krawczak on bass, adding a mighty backbone and the keyboards of Ferdy Doenrberg adding their own flair to proceedings.

This is one hell of an album, which get's underway with ‘Higher’, a massive opener that once again highlights the superb vocals of Gioeli, who's power is just awesome and this united with Pell’s virtuoso guitars creates a match made in Metal Heaven.

The album continues in the same superb manner with ‘Ain’t Gonna Win’, another massive track with Pell at his most flamboyant without being overbearing and that’s what makes his music stand out from the rest.  As I said before it's that special unification of guitars and powerhouse vocals that make all the difference.

The album powers on thru track after track with Gioeli just exceeding all expectations and with the near perfect guitar playing you expect from Pell, this album just keeps on amazing me play after play.

And the tremendous songs continue to flow like fine vine with the likes of ‘Crossfire’ and the superb ‘Emotional Echoes’, where Pell really shows his metal as the track starts off from a humble semi-acoustic start then the maestro takes over and the soaring riffs just come with such ease it just mind blowing and has to be one of the finest instrumentals I’ve heard this year.

This is one hell of an album and were just over half way through it with the likes of the title track ‘Tales Of The Crown’ a great sublime mix of Metal guitar and Gioeli’s storming vocal presence, I mean the guy’s a cross between Joe Lynn Turner and Ronnie James Dio, it's just melody and might in one unique voice, great stuff.

The album comes to an all premature close for me (I just want more) with another two tremendous tracks firstly ‘Buried Alive’, a lick filled high octane rocker that really sets the men from the boys.  The album closes with ‘Northern Lights’, a more mellow sedate closer that once again gives us a chance to just sit back and admire the power and grace of Gioeli.

I thought I had my short list of albums of the year pretty much sorted but it shows you shouldn’t count your chickens till they are hatched because sometimes something comes your way and you have to rethink it all and 'Tales Of The Crown' is one of those albums that just won't go away.

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