After thirty five years of career, starting back with STEELER (1981-1989) and going on till present with his own band, carrying his name, AXEL RUDI PELL is an artist that needs no particular introduction.
The German virtuoso and his companions, return with their seventeenth album, consistently present every one or two years.
AXEL RUDI PELL delivers, once again, an album in which he stars alongside with his guitar. His powerful riffs and his clever, melodic leads dominate the album. As a result, the very good job of Bobby Rondinelli (drums) and Volker Krawczak (bass) on rhythm section, is a little oversubscribed but overall it is a minor flaw. Johnny Gioeli, on vocals, remains an inseparable part of the band, with his distinctive voice and passionate performances behind the microphone, shining for one more time. Last but not least, the discreet presence of Ferdy Doernberg’s keyboards, completes the songs.
The album contains ten songs, which follow the familiar heavy/power metal pattern, that Pell has established over the years. Among them, you will find some strong uplifting moments such as “Fire” and “Falling Star”, some mid tempo but equally heavy songs, like “Sons Of The Night”, and of course the expected ballads. Sometimes more powerful, like the title track and sometimes softer and mellow like “Lost In Love”. The digipak edition also contains a cover version of BOB DYLAN’s “All Along The Watchtower”. Although, covers are a common pattern in Pell’s albums, this one in particular isn’t something special, and somehow unnecessary, in my opinion.
All in all, “Game Of Sins” is not a monumental album, and does not introduce any kind of musical novelty, whatsoever. However, I must say that “Game Of Sins” is an album, that will, at least, entertain the listener, without impressing or disappointing anyone. There is a chance some listeners might be bothered by this lack of novelty, but everyone who has followed AXEL RUDI PELL over the years, will find everything they expect within these new songs!
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