Almost 30 years since his first solo album, Axel Rudi Pell carries on with a steady recording career that counts the impressive number of 17 studio albums! The German axeman is not delusional, knows exactly what his fan base wants to hear from him and he doesn’t fail to deliver the goods. Naturally, some might talk about a compositional stagnation and lack of original ideas. This is one way to see the whole thing, really. On the other hand, though, you can’t ignore the consistency and the high standard of his albums; something that one should not take it lightly or for granted in this time and age.
“Knight’s Call” is yet another very good album by Axel Rudi Pell who has found a very specific formula (especially after 2000) and he doesn’t deviate from it. Even the song structure is more or less the same as almost every album kicks off with an atmospheric intro which is followed by an “in your face” track and an anthemic song as a third addition. Somewhere in the middle of the album we will be treated with an imposing mid-tempo track (usually the title track) where Pell will show off all his Blackmore influences and finally the album will be closed by yet another impressive and lengthy number or a cover tune.
“Knight’s Call” is not an exception…neither in the structure nor in the impressive performance by Pell/Gioeli/Rondinelli/Krawczak/Doernberg. It goes without saying that the melodic guitar passages are prominent throughout the record and you have a great time by listening to every single song on the new album.
Since Blackmore has reincarnated an uninspired version of Rainbow, Axel Rudi Pell is an one-way choice! And this applies since 1995, if you think about it…
Highlight: Kudos to everyone who can name all the albums by Pell just by looking at its covers (without the written titles of course). They are all almost identical…
