Axel Rudi Pell – Game of Sins [Album Review]

Axel Rudi Pell – Game of Sins
2016, SPV/Steamhammer

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1. Lenta Fortuna (Intro)
2. Fire
3. Sons In The Night
4. Game Of Sins
5. Falling Star
6. Lost In Love
7. The King Of Fools
8. Till The World Says Goodbye
9. Breaking The Rules
10. Forever Free

Musicians:
Axel Rudi Pell – Guitar
Johnny Gioeli – Vocals
Volker Krawczak – Bass
Bobby Rondinelli – Drums
Ferdy Doernberg – Keyboards

I’ve never been a follower of German guitarist Axel Rudi Pell. I knew he was a known name in the world of heavy metal but I didn’t know anything about his work as a solo artist or in Steeler (the German band, not the American group that featured Ron Keel & Yngwie Malmsteen). I figured with Game of Sins, I might as well finally give Pell a shot. One thing’s for sure, I absolutely love the cover art for this album.

The first thing I noticed was Johnny Gioeli’s voice. There’s a nice slightly rough quality to it and I knew it sounded familiar… because he’s the singer from Hardline. The music itself is high quality melodic hard rock with great production that is reminiscent of House of Lords. Of course, you can ‘t speak in broadstrokes and ignore Axel Rudi Pell’s individual contributions. Great riffing and fiery solos.

And when all of that is combined with Gioeli’s melodic hard rock-ready voice, Game of Sins is an amazing effort and an early 2016 highlight that I wasn’t expecting. Definitely will have to check Pell’s earlier stuff now.

Highlights: “Sons in the Night”, “Game of Sins”,”Falling Star”, “Lost In Love”, “Forever Free”