There aren’t many artists around whose career has already lasted a quarter of a century. But then, there are even fewer who have experienced no setbacks whatsoever in 25 years. And there are only a few guitarists in the world of rock music who have created their own brand just with their name, causing over 1.5 million people to buy their music. Axel Rudi Pell is one of those rare exceptions.
And so it doesn’t come as a surprise that his latest offering “Into The Storm” is also one of his best; after all, anniversaries are always special. Although this is the fifteenth studio album (featuring his own material) in Pell’s career to date, he didn’t approach it any different than its predecessors. “There hasn’t been one day in my life when I haven’t been pushed by Ronnie James Dio’s spirit to write something mystical,” the 53-year-old explains his motivation. Even though ARP has nothing against efficiency and discipline, creativity doesn’t come at the flick of a switch. “I couldn’t sit down with it and compose from nine to five, that doesn’t work for me.” As inspiration doesn’t comply with office hours, Pell praises the technological achievements of recent years. “My cell phone is almost like a mobile recording studio, it’s always busy. And this time things worked particularly well.” Despite the fact that the omens weren’t so good: in July of 2013 he unfortunately had to part ways with drummer Mike Terrana because their schedules didn’t match.
Studio Albums
1989 Wild Obsession [2013 Steamhammer SPV 265780 5CD] Germany (44:44)
1991 Nasty Reputation [2013 Steamhammer SPV 265780 5CD] Germany (46:57)
1992 Eternal Prisoner [2013 Steamhammer SPV 265780 5CD] Germany (47:33)
1994 Between the Walls [2013 Steamhammer SPV 265780 5CD] Germany (47:14)
1996 Black Moon Pyramid [1996 Steamhammer TECW-25172] Japan (70:51)
1997 Magic [1997 Steamhammer SPV 085-18362 CD] Germany (56:08)
1998 Oceans Of Time [1998 Steamhammer SPV 085-18142 CD] Germany (65:34)
2000 The Masquerade Ball [2000 Steamhammer SPV 085-21692 CD] Germany (67:53)
2002 Shadow Zone [2002 Steamhammer SPV 085-74072 CD] Germany (61:28)
2004 Kings and Queens [2004 Steamhammer SPV 085-69532 CD] Germany (56:32)
2006 Mystica [2006 Scarecrow SC06284] Mexico (58:08)
2007 Diamonds Unlocked [2007 Icarus 393] Argentina (55:30)
2008 Tales of the Crown [2008 Icarus 535] Argentina (60:31)
2010 The Crest [2010 Steamhammer SPV 308722 2CD] Germany (68:18+72:40)
2012 Circle of the Oath [2012 Steamhammer SPV 260030 CD] Germany (69:40)
2014 Into The Storm [Steamhammer SPV 266378 2CD-E] Germany (70:28+27:39)
Live Albums
1995 Made In Germany [1995 Steamhammer SPV 085-76972] Germany (66:47)
2002 Knights Live [2002 Steamhammer SPV 085-74582 DCD] Germany (57:17+52:43)
2013 Live on Fire [2013 Steamhammer SPV 265122 2CD] Germany (56:53+51:02)
Compilations
1993 The Ballads [2013 Steamhammer SPV 265780 5CD] Germany (45:14)
1999 The Ballads II [1999 NEMS Enterprises NEMS 117] Argentina (69:51)
2000 The Wizards Chosen Few [2000 Steamhammer SPV 089-72072 DCD] Germany (74:44+75:52)
2002 Love Ballads [2002 Universal Music] Russia (77:55)
2004 The Ballads III [2004 Steamhammer SPV 085-69962 CD] Germany (69:46)
2009 Best Of Anniversary Edition [2009 Steamhammer SPV 307282 CD] Germany (79:24)
2011 The Ballads IV [2011 Steamhammer SPV 309092 CD] Germany (75:05)
Singles, EP’s, Promos
2008 Tales of the Crown (Promo CD) [2008 Steamhammer SPV 305983 CDS] Germany (15:45)
2011 Hallelujah (Maxi-Single) [2011 Steamhammer SPV 309623] Germany (14:18)
2012 Run With The Wind (Single) [2012 Steamhammer SPV 260253 CD-S] Germany (19:08)