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April 2024

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Axel Rudi Pell: Game Of Sins

Heavy Metal

3.5/5.0

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SPV/Steamhammer Records
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 06.01.2016

There is little doubt that Axel Rudi Pell is an exceptional guitarist and prolific songwriter. His talent and work ethic have few equals. And he keeps churning out new material. Game Of Sins is Pell's latest creation.

Axel Rudi Pell and Band

As to be expected, the album is about those two things: Pell's song writing and guitar skills. Massive amounts of riffs abound, and guitar solos fly from his fret board like New Year's Eve celebration. Yet, some might find the sound of Game Of Sins, somewhat harder, heavier, maybe even a bit harsher. You get that from Pell's riffs but also Johnny Gioeli's vocals. To me, he sounds like he wants to channel Ronnie James Dio, but only in a more harsh and screamo way. Otherwise, even with these rougher characteristics, the songs abound with melody and groove, with Pell ripping off his monumental solos. When the aggregate of things work together some songs stand out, including Falling Star, Lost In Love, and The King Of Fools. Yet, honestly, much of this just ran together for me, became redundant. The riffs, Pell's guitar sound, never seemed to vary. Gioeli's presentation got old, too. After awhile, I merely felt that I was being yelled at in each song. There's a bonus track, a cover of All Along The Watchtower, written by Bob Dylan and made more famous by Jimi Hendrix. Suffice to say, Pell wails on his guitar with skill. Otherwise, I wasn't overly impressed by his interpretation. Adequate. Which probably defines the whole of Game Of Sins. If you're a guitar enthusiast, even a Pell fan, you'll likely enjoy this album.

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Adequate probably defines the whole of Game Of Sins. If you're a guitar enthusiast, even a Pell fan, you'll likely enjoy this album.

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Three years have passed since Sweden's Cruzh dropped their second long-player, Tropical Thunder, also introducing their new singer, Alex Waghorn. Now the band returns with The Jungle Revolution ... [ Read More ]