Axel Rudi Pell - Game of Sins (CD)

"Game Of Sins" is ARP at his best: the sirens in the metallic opener "Fire" are a perfect wake-up call, "Sons In The Night" with it's "Sons Of Anarchy"-inspired lyrics pays tribute to the NWOBHM. The title track is the longest number on the album, nine minutes of those epic structures and Arabian scales which Pell is so fond of. "Falling Star" once again refers to the early 80s. Is there an ARP album without a ballad? They may well be one day, but as long as Axel writes beautiful specimen such as "Lost In Love", there's bound to be one. Among the recording's highlights features "The King Of Fools" with it's his five minutes of pure emotion, a perfect symbiosis between steeliness and melody, with an unbelievable performance by Gioeli, but don't forget to listen to Axel's guitars on the verses! "Till The World Says Goodbye" again presents Pell in his element: an epic, almost dark and doomy ballad, a moving soundtrack for the Judgment Day. "Breaking The Rules" is another melodic rock song, before the regular album finishes with a slow number called "Forever Free". But the crowning glory is included in the Digipak format: ARP is the first musician to successfully deliver a real hard-rocking version of the almighty Bob Dylan/Jimi Hendrix classic "All Along The Watchtower"; which has been his heart's desire for a long time, as Axel explains. "That song is far from easy to arrange, but the result is definitely worth the effort." Or, to be more precise: "Everything went according to plan." What more can you ask? "Game Of Sins" is doubtlessly another highlight in ARP's career. And there are many more to come.