New AXEL RUDI PELL : Circle Of The Oath (2012)

Just released :




Reviews :


German guitar god Axel Rudi Pell has returned along with singer Johnny Gioelli, drummer Mike Terrana , keyboard player Ferdy Doernberg and bassist Volker Krawzak to deliver “Circle of the Oath.” Axel & Co. have been responsible for putting out some of my favorite Metal albums of the past 20 years or so and 2010′s “The Crest” saw them with the best album of Axel’s career. In my opinion, “Circle of the Oath” picks up where The Crest left off with a sonically stellar and beautifully melodic sound. Axel has a formula that works really well for him. He is not afraid to wear his heavy Dio and Rainbow influences on his sleeve and this totally works for him. Axel makes the kind of Metal that I love. Melodic, heavy, and full of punch. The performances on “Circle of the Oath” are as good as you would expect them to be while not diverting or straying from this formula that Axel & Co have perfected.


The album starts off with a bang with “Ghost In The Black” which bears that Axel Rudi Pell signature riff right off the bat. “World of Confusion” is very reminiscent of that “Headless Cross” era of Black Sabbath and is probably one of the best songs I have ever heard from Axel. The title track “Circle of the Oath” opens with an acoustic guitar/vocal intro that is his own little nod to another set of heroes of his, Led Zeppelin, before kicking in heavy. This is a great song but I did feel that the intro went on for a bit too long and felt slightly dragged out. “Lived Our Lives Forever” and “Hold On To Your Dreams” are the only two songs that seemed to just miss the mark. Lyrically they just weren’t as strong as they could’ve been. I can see the concept Axel was going for on these songs and I feel that if proper time had been taken, they could’ve been quite stellar.

All in all, “Circle of the Oath” is another great album. It’s an album that is far better than most but unlike “The Crest” contains a few missed marks. “Circle of the Oath” lacked the cohesion that “The Crest” boasted but it is still a fantastic album. You have to understand something about Axel Rudi Pell. He has a sonic formula that works for him and from album to album he doesn’t stray from it. With “Circle of the Oath” the formula is there but a few of the songs in general sound less thought out than on previous albums. With that being said, they don’t suck. They’re not even close to sucking. It’s kind of pizza. The quality may vary but regardless, it’s smurfing pizza and it’s still going to be good. Maybe it won’t be amazing but it’ll be good.

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If anything, resolute and constant guitarist Axel Rudi Pell is prolific and consistent. Largely, this is due to the simple fact that he lives and breaths guitar playing. Pell regularly, even daily, practices and writes new material. The result is his 14th studio album, Circle of the Oath.

Another strength for Axel is a consistent band; most have been with him for 14 years or better. But it's his name on the label, so any consideration of Circle of the Oath is essentially a referendum upon him. Then there's no disputing his guitar skills. And when it comes to song composition, Pell remains a player in the band. Not everything is a pure platform for his fret fireworks. That's a very good thing.

First spin of this disc made me think of Eighties Dio; there's something about the music, themes, and the timbre of Johnny Gioeli's voice that reminds me of the late great Ronnie James. But ultimately the comparison is likely futile.

The album starts strong with power metal of Ghost in the Black, rock metal of Run with the Wind, and the very accessible and catchy Before I Die. The title cut is signature Pell, simply epic and stirring. Fortunes of War turns, again, on that catchy sensibility, a fine tune.
Then listening is dragged down by the heavy and lumbering Bridges to Nowhere and an attempt at an anthem in Lived Our Lives Before. Hold on to Your Dreams attempts at positive thinking possibilities in melodic metal, and generally succeeds. But it doesn't quite match Before I Die. Circle of the Oath closes on another epic note, World of Confusion, a solid number that only reminds you of Pell's inherent extravagance in song composition.
The simple conclusion: Circle of the Oath is Axel Rudi Pell in his most consistent and grand form. Expect no less. Recommended.

If it's Axel, I'll get it. I plan on eventually getting the whole discography someday.

Yet another release to add to my want list. I've fallen behind on his releases. The last new one I was able to get was Mystica.

I will wait on this. Pell has gotten a bit stale as it's basically always the same music without any innovations. He plays at Sweden Rock Festival, so i guess he will present a few new songs. Maybe after that i buy it.

I agree with ShadowAngel. It's decent, but he is very samey after awhile. His one with Rob is still my favorite ARP.

He plays same songs for over two decades but I still enjoy them. There's a new tune somewhere in the internets btw. Here

ARP is like Motorhead or AC/DC, you pretty much know what you're going to get. If you want something new and refreshing, go somewhere else. Axel found what he's good at and sticks to it. Some artists that do this I like, some I don't. ARP is one of the ones I like.

DallasBlack wrote:

ARP is like Motorhead or AC/DC, you pretty much know what you're going to get. If you want something new and refreshing, go somewhere else. Axel found what he's good at and sticks to it. Some artists that do this I like, some I don't. ARP is one of the ones I like.

Nothing more to add.

I was gonna say ARP you usually get about the same stuff with him all the time but he is consistent in what he does!

Wargod

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Hmmmmmmm..........

im listening ARP album, it's good. not listen so often but once in a week, is good for change. im not a fan of ARP but sometimes u need to discover something else.

I got this one in the mail two days ago. Very good material. I am still behind on ARP, but i'm building my collection slowly.

Also got the crest. Haven't heard it yet but i cannot wait.