Customer Reviews

Eternal Prisoner

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1992's Eternal Prisoner was the third solo album from German guitar virtuoso Axel Rudi Pell, and the first to feature journeyman vocalist (and former Malmsteen frontman) Jeff Scott Soto.

I usually have very little interest in guitar virtuosos. All that shredding and soloing too often comes at the expense of actual songwriting. Not so with Axel Rudi Pell. He's as flashy a guitar player as it gets, but he's always managed to write real, effective songs, not just solos stapled together. He also isn't afraid to let his vocalists shine. Compare Soto's output with Pell to his Malmsteen work, and the difference is stark. You end up loving an album like Eternal Prisoner as much for Soto's performance as you do Pell's. In fact, there's only one instrumental on Eternal Prisoner, and even that song - Dreams of Passion - feels like a fully developed song.

With Eternal Prisoner, Pell proves once again that he can put together an engaging melodic metal album with first rate vocal and guitar performances and well written (though lyrically cheesy) songs. Yngwie Malmsteen may be everyone's favorite guitar hero, but I'll take an Axel Rudi Pell album over a Malmsteen album any day of the week.

NOTE: There is a boxed set that includes this album and its follow up Between the Walls. The box, which is essentially the individual albums packaged together, is typically available for about the price of a single CD, and is an inexpensive way to try out Axel Rudi Pell's early solo releases.

I grew up in the 70ties and 80ties and was at that time mostly a Genesis and ELP fan. Only in the 90ties I got into hard rock and heavy metal. I discovered this CD about one month ago. The music of Axel is incredible, to say the least. This is a fantastic guitarist in the style of the likes of Ritchie Blackmore and I find a healthy mixture of Deep Purple, Scorpions, UFO and Krokus. This is an absolutely great band, I would fly to Europe just to see them in concert. This Album is just another display of the knowledge and skills of this band. Johnny's voice is almost at the hight of a Freddy Mercury. If you like good rock with a strong sound, excellent guitar solos and fantastic vocals. Go for it. This is it... Bravo ARP> I wish I would have discovered you way earlier.

Reto - Shell Beach, California

If you like Blackmore, Dio, Whitesnake...the age of Rock Renaissance, then listen Axel Rudi Pell carefully.
Axel Rudi Pell received the feel of 70's rock, and added his own color.
Returned to the core of rock n' roll.
Not the technique and style, but the attitude and philosopy.
I have 7 albums of this team.
And I satisfied all of them and almost every track.
I strongly recommend Axel Rudi Pell's albums for rock fan.

***** stars**** great album

Just like Rainbow (with DIO) One of the best guitar players in the world. So much better than Clapton, Paget etc.