There’s been a bit of a theme running through things this week—bands being labelled “underrated,” and whether that word even means anything anymore. What does mean something is consistency. And in that respect, Axel Rudi Pell is one of those artists that makes you grateful you do this in the first place. The body of work he’s built over the last decade or so? Second to none.
It opens with “The Regicide (Intro),” all ominous tones and scene-setting intent—a chance to gather your thoughts before what’s coming. Because when “Guillotine Walk” kicks in, it’s all there: that piercing guitar line, that incredible voice built for hard rock—courtesy of Johnny Gioeli—and a commitment to choruses that don’t just land—they soar.
“Breaking Seals,” featuring Udo Dirkschneider, only underlines a growing suspicion: there’s a very real chance this is the best melodic metal band in the world right now. It’s towering stuff. And while the band bears Pell’s name, the title track proves beyond doubt this is a band—locked in, masterful, and operating at a ridiculous level. The energy here is undeniable, and Pell’s solo? Sensational. As ever.
“Holy Water” leans on the rock-solid presence of Volker Krawczak, while Bobby Rondinelli (ex-Rainbow) adds a weight that brings to mind Dio-era grandeur. But this isn’t pastiche—it’s expressive, alive, and played with real soul.
Things take a darker turn on “The Enemy Within,” a kind of centrepiece. Ferdy Doernberg keeps things understated but brooding, and you can easily imagine latter-day Iron Maiden exploring similar territory. Then “Hurricane” shifts gears again—this is full-on old-school gallop, and yes, there’s a hint of Maiden in the DNA, but it’s worn with pride rather than imitation.
“Sanity” is a ballad in the classic mould—properly done. “Lost in the dark, the truth shows the path,” he sings, and honestly, no one does this better. It could have come out at any point in the last 40 years and fitted in perfectly.
And as someone who’s always been a sucker for a song that kicks off with a solo, “Steps Of Stone” absolutely nails it—pure class. That leaves “Higher Call,” which closes things out in epic fashion. The longest track here, it leans almost into prog territory, full of vivid imagery and a sense of scale that caps the record off beautifully.
Axel Rudi Pell and his band don’t make bad records. That much is obvious. But even by their own lofty standards, “Ghost Town” is something else entirely.
RATING: 9.5/10
