"The crest" CD by Axel Rudi Pell

by Matthias Mader (30.03.2010) The term "sense of tradition" is associated with a more negative meaning these days, and the same applies to the respective music which is negligent to modern innovation craze. But a sense of tradition implies confidence in your accomplishments and virtues - for me, that doesn't sound negative at all. Axel Rudi Pell seems to share my opinion, focussing on his very own talents and strengths on his 13th album "The crest". This new studio release has an unofficial motto: "Give the people what they want", resulting in a Melodic Metal masterpiece leaving nothing to be desired, be it a great power ballad ("Glory night") or the obligatory instrumental (spiced with a dash of classical sounds), titled "Noblesse oblige (Opus # 5 adagio contabile)" this time. There's even some connection with and to past works if you listen carefully: the long "Dark waves of the sea" is the indirect sequel to the Pell classic "Oceans of time". The fans will love "The crest"!