Guitarist AXEL RUDI PELL and his band will release their new album “Lost XXIII” on April 15. Axel wrote the songs last autumn. During December and January, the material was recorded. The members had fun and hope that their fans will be more than pleased. If one compares, some would probably think that several of his previous works are better, but this upcoming one is still well-made Hardrock.

He released his first solo album in 1989. After the fourth piece of work ”Between The Walls” (1994) entered the hitlists, Axel Rudi realised that he was on the right track and then it has kept rolling on. Pell is today considered a bit like a cult figure. The work of the German has ticked and worked like a flawless clock and his contract with Steamhammer/SPV has lasted longer than marriages of today do. According to the guitarist, you should never change a winning concept. The same applies to the band, which consists of a skilled and long-lasting line-up. Bassist Volker Krawczak has been involved from the start, which is now over thirty years ago. Keyboardist Ferdy Doernberg and singer Johnny Gioeli (HARDLINE) became members in the late 90’s. Nine years ago, Bobby Rondinelli (ex-DORO, ex-QUIET RIOT, ex-RAINBOW, ex-BLACK SABBATH, among others) landed behind the drums.

Good singing from the man behind the microphone and warm, thick guitar tones are heard in “Survive”. The solo is lively and splendid. The song has a fighting spirit and flows on with a nice energy. Gioeli’s bright Rock voice gets a little hoarse when he pushes it and he gives it an even more rough edge in ”No Compromise”, when he sings the words ”shout it out loud”. The track is a classic Hardrock song with nice riffs on the guitar, but the chorus returns so many times, which risks making you tired of it. We hear great tones in “Down On The Streets”. The fingers move rhythmically and enticingly over the strings, repeatedly. The guitar solo is cool and when Johnny releases the pressure in his voice during the chorus it sounds very pleasant.

”Gone With The Wind” is one of the record’s slow tunes. The almost nine-minute track contains soft, but strong, bouncing drumplaying and a fantastic guitarsolo. However, I feel that the clear tones at the beginning of the song, which reappear later, have been added afterwards or have been strengthened during the mixing. It could have been emotionally beautiful, but now they lie on the outside and do not sink in, neither in the music nor in me. The second ballad “Fly With Me” is the album’s best. In the intro we find strong, fine piano tones and a moment later an equally strong guitar playing is heard. During the chorus, the song and the music open up in a grand way. Then the piece returns to its slow, gentle pace. The keyboardsound in the background is lovely and Axel plays a nice solo.

“The Rise Of Ankhoor” is instrumental and begins with pounding keyboard tones, which vibrate for a short while. The guitarist plays alternately with Ferdy, whose sound changes to Hammond organ-style. I understand if it was not possible to put vocals on this composition, because it would not have fit, but unfortunately it may feel like an unnecessary track. Not because it is without singing, but in my opinion, the result became a jam session as filling material. The title is a play on words based on anchor and encore.

“Lost XXIII” finishes the record with the same name. ”XXIII” is the Roman numeral for 23. The twenty-third letter of the alphabet is W, which in this case is a short form of ”World”, so you could also call the album ”Lost World”. Pell says it is a reference to the currently pretty alarming state of our planet. The title song begins with a nice melody, followed by singing, then bouncing drums and rougher riffs on the strings. The track has a gloominess over it, but also something that captures the listener. Atmospheric keyboard playing is heard somewhere in the background, together with heavier guitar and bass.

The pandemic years have left their mark. AXEL RUDI PELL’s guitar-based Hardrock sounds more stripped down this time. Unfortunately, it sometimes feels a bit pale, as if the inspiration was lacking. “Lost XXIII” contains several long tunes and the question is if he could not have shortened it down here and there, to get more intensity. (Anna)

Bewertung:

 7 / 10

Anzahl der Songs: 10
Spielzeit: 54:42 min
Label: Steamhammer/SPV
Veröffentlichungstermin: 15.04.2022