Axel Rudi Pell - The Crest

TRACK LISTING

1.  Prelude of Doom
2.  Too Late
3.  Devil Zone
4.  Prisoner of Love
5.  Dreaming Dead
6.  Glory Night
7.  Dark Waves of the Sea  (Oceans
      of Time Pt. II: The Dark Side)
8.  Burning Rain
9.  Noblesse Oblige
    (Opus #5 Adagio Contabile)
10.  The End of our Time

Total playing time:  57:10

August 3, 2010

Reviewer: M.J.

One thing Axel Rudi Pell can be counted on is consistency.  Ever since 1989’s Wild Obsession he has delivered a slew of very good melodic metal albums and his latest release, The Crest, is no exception. Rarely have I been disappointed with any of his output. One key element on his most successful outings is vocalist Johnny Gioeli whose soulful crooning easily conveys a sense of genuine emotion. Johnny recorded all of his parts for The Crest while in the US and worked with Axel via Skype (is this a first for the metal world?) to get the vocals perfected. Despite having a few line-up changes early in the band’s career, the current one has been stable for quite some time. Famed drummer Mike Terrana along with bassist Volker Krawczak and keyboardist Ferdy Doernberg recorded the rest of the album’s parts with Axel at W.A.T. Studios, Bochum, Germany.

The new record is chock full of mid-paced numbers and quasi ballads that could easily be aimed squarely at AOR radio. While the rockers are in short supply the opening track “Too Late” is a meteoric fireball whose arc is carried over into “The Devil’s Own”, a memorable burner in its own right with a strong blues influenced guitar and an expressive vocal performance by Johnny. Axel has followed a similar blueprint on what type of songs he writes and includes on each record paying close attention to overall dynamics with order placement and The Crest adheres to this same script. Fans will know and recognize what they are getting here for the most part. I particularly like the catchy radio friendly “Prisoner of Love” which sounds like a great 80s throwback just ripe to break out.  “Dreaming Dead” is one of two epics on The Crest and its extended play allows the band the right amount of room to stretch their musical legs. The piano intro and ensuing balladry on “Glory Night” is pleasant without being too sappy. Tales from the high sea populate the second epic “Dark Waves of the Sea” and it would translate great in a live setting. “Noblesse Oblige” is a classically inspired instrumental that is slightly different in tone from the other songs but never feels out of place. 

Technically sound, full of emotional vocals, and mostly memorable tracks, The Crest is among the best Axel Rudi Pell has ever released. Even though the better songs seem to dominate the first half there really isn’t much to complain about here. Once again, Axel serves up another tasty platter to devoted fans of melodic metal.

Release Date: April 23rd, 2010
Label: SPV Records

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