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Axel Rudi Pell: Into the storm

10/03/14 || Cobal

“Dude, I hate Axel Rudi Pell. I mean that’s not even metal, right?”

Are we really getting into this again? Okay… First things first, my friend. To begin with and regardless how much I can enjoy death, black and thrash metal myself, that’s not all that there is to it. In fact, that’s precisely why the hideous extreme metal term was minted, you see. On the one hand, you get all those acts versed in the ways of the evil one, and on the other, you get this. There’s some kind of dialectic speech, if you like.

“Dude, I hate bands writing songs in any dialect different from English. I can’t even understand what they are saying!”

Right. What?!

Anyway, when I regard “Into the Storm” as a typical work by these Germans. You get a couple power metal songs, some other hard rock tunes and quite a few rock/power ballads. That of course gives Axel, the man, the chance to show once more the range of styles that he handles best. What do you think?

“Dude, I dunno. Never listened to one full of their albums before. I hate ballads!”

Well, I’m probably with you on this one, errr… What’s your name again? Never mind. I mean yes, Axel’s and company have built their career mainly on performing those inspiring long songs that permit not only to show off some guitar melodic skills, but also Johnny Gioeli can show he’s got what it gets. Still, I also get tired of so much nostalgic tunes, you see. I also wish there was more action, if you know what I mean.

“Duuude, I know what you mean. Some chicks would definitely do. But then again, I’m never able to talk to chicks.”

Deep sigh—yes, well, maybe you could play one of these ballads to a gal you know and then things work out for you. Whatever.

On the not so bright side, I think the more metal-oriented songs do have some special appeal. Take track 2, “Tower of Lies”, for instance: is that a heavy riff or is that a heavy riff? Being the track immediately after the keyboards-led intro, it almost made me hope this was going to be the album I could regard as within my favorites. A damn shame. Moreover, in spite of the misleading early seconds of the seconds “Touching Sky” is another highlight in the album. If anything this isn’t the kind of record you’ll spin when in the mood for some violence.

“What?”

Finally I’d like to mention to other songs that caught my attention. First, by re-arranging Neil Young’s “Hey Hey, My My (Into the Black)” with such a pianistic approach they really got by with my pants off. Never heard of any metal band that went in that direction. Then I did my homework and learned that there are a couple more versions of the same song as well as “Cinnamon Girl”. Also the song this album is titled after is really interesting to me. There’s something about writing arabesque riffs that gives metal some special boost. At the same time and after 9 all shiny tracks you hear something resembling somewhat twisted riffs.

“Who the fuck is Neil Young?”

Look it up, d u d e. Here, just google it.

To conclude, I’d say there’s no reason for anyone who doesn’t dig AXP’s previous works to check this one out. However, this isn’t a bad album at all. Just keep in mind the kind of stuff you’ll be dealing with if you go and take a plunge.

My friend here—currently busy picking his nose—asked me to grade this work like this. It appears he finds seeing the word jugglers on the screen hysterical:

Cheers.

Information
Released: 2014
Label: Steamhammer
Website: www.axel-rudi-pell.de
Band
Johnny Gioeli: vocals
Axel Rudi Pell: guitars
Volker Krawczak: bass
Bobby Rondinelli: drums
Ferdy Doernberg: keyboards

Tracklist
01. The Inquisitorial Procedure
02. Tower of Lies
03. Long Way to Go
04. Burning Chains
05. When Truth Hurts
06. Changing Times
07. Touching Heaven
08. High Above
09. Hey Hey My My (Neil Young cover)
10. Into the Storm

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