Customer Reviews

Tales Of The Crown

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Over the years, Axel Rudi Pell has maintained several consistencies, such as releasing a new studio album every two years (or less) with a sound familiar to his fans. He has the devotion to his style that is found in artists like AC/DC or Yngwie Malmsteen. Maintaining such a dedicated sound is very much the double-edged sword: fans know what to expect, but if the new material sounds like it is rehashing the old material too much, even the new songs can get tired quickly. While Axel's previous two studio albums (Mystica and Kings & Queens) had several good tracks, they were not his best work. Fortunately, Axel does not wait too long before coming back with another astounding five-star album.

Since the 1994 album "Between the Walls", Axel has started out his albums with a short instrumental piece. However, Tales of the Crown has bypassed this formality -- somewhat. The first half minute of the opening song "Higher" still contains an atmospheric piece that lasts for about half a minute, before driving into the main crunching riff. This works out well for the song by including the short piece, instead of trying to pass it off as its own song. The song has a great crunching riff, and a solo section that locks in perfectly.

"Ain't Gonna Win" -- After the heavy crunch of "Higher", things continue on with "Ain't Gonna Win", another strong song with a driving rhythm.

"Angel Eyes" -- A great rocker with a Scorpions-type beat, (a la something from Blackout).

"Crossfire" -- This song wraps up a very strong 4 song start to this album, featuring strong rhythm and one of his more memorable solos.

"Touching My Soul" -- After an amazing four song charge, this is the point in the album where things start slowing down for a bit. "Touching My Soul" -- similar to "Forever Angel", but not quite as good.

"Emotional Echoes" -- A different number for him, one of his more experimental songs, that would have fit in best with the three-piece "Open Doors" from "Nasty Reputation".

"Riding An Arrow" -- Similar to a number of his other mid-tempo rockers, with an amusing little surprise at the end of the song.

The album's climax comes with the song "Tales of the Crown", a typical epic number for Axel. On Axel's website, he mentioned listening to a lot of the band Heaven and Hell while writing the song "Tales of the Crown", which is evident by the slow middle piece which is reminiscent of the slow part in the song "Shadow of the Wind".

"Buried Alive" is a rapid-fire headbanger that matches well against his 90's songs "Gettin' Dangerous" or "Nightmare".

When I heard the first sound clips for the final song "Northern Lights", I could tell that this was going to be a powerful song. Once again, Axel's love of Dio-fronted bands shines through as the beginning of "Northern Lights" shares similarities with the Black Sabbath song "Sign of the Southern Cross". Extremely powerful song, and a great way to end a spectacular album.

Even after listening to this album for several years, this album is still in constant rotation when I play music in my car, which attributes the strength and longevity of "Tales of the Crown".

Fans of A.R.P. are familiar with his shredding guitar and epic songs. What I enjoy most is the vocals by Johnny Gioeli. The songs run a little long for my taste at times but they are held together nicely by Gioeli.

Axel Rudi Pell is a household name when it comes to melodic metal with a classic 70s vibe. Having made his debut with `Steeler' in the mid 80s, Axel launched his solo career in 1989 releasing a number of landmark records while being fortunate enough to collaborate with singers such as Charlie Huhn, Rob Rock and Jeff Scott Soto oh his releases.

Axel's latest, post- millennium works can be characterized as consistently average. The man has definitely come up with quality albums (`Mystica', `Kings and Queens') which unfortunately did not look up to his 80s-90s works. If you by any chance share the same view then you are in for a surprise with "Tales of the Crown".

How could ARP recover from its bland albums and release such a colorful, hugely produced record is beyond me. The line up remains unchanged: Pell/Gioeli/Terrana/Krawzak/Doenberg; But the music here is crowned king. For starters the album has the best possible production: Fat guitar sound, discrete keyboards while Terrana's drum work is perfectly captured in all its aggression flamboyancy. By the time you push play up until track 4 you are caught in a classic hard rock hurricane: "Higher", "Ain't gonna win", "Angel eyes", "Crossfire" back to back material with incredible live potential. The beat slows down for the following songs "Emotional echoes" and "Touching my soul" followed by the second heavy coming of the final four songs.

Although all compositions are very considerate and definitely rock the listener it is probably the title track that delivers the final and most fierce blow; "Tales of the crown" is a tremendous mid tempo epic track with a chorus that cracks cement!

A huge comeback for "ARP" which would make for a fantastic live show if performed in its entirety.

"Power Play" UK magazine (issue 104) marks this album with 9/10 commenting: "Do you like hard rock music played with passion, melody and huge hooks? Then please get hold of this album and enjoy."

ARP is my favorite band with JG on vocals. Band of the decade (2000 - 2010).

If it wasn't for Treat - Coup De Grace this would have been the disc of the year for me. The fact ARP always puts out a great disc lets everyone buy with confidence that the music is consistently great.

"Tales of the Crown" is a fantastic piece of power metal from an artist that seems to only be known by very few here in North America. I've listened to Mr. Pell's work over the last decade, and as awesome as it is, I've only been compelled to purchase his last two albums.

The songs are structured, and well assembled. The lyrics represent a mastery of painting with words; and, of course, the guitar work is of the highest caliber the world has to offer currently. Johnny Gioeli's vocals are spectacular and worthy of individual praise.

Songs like "Higher", the lead track, and "Riding on an Arrow" depict how modern power metal should be played. "Touching My Soul" is a ballad done in proper metal form, and the lyrics echo that of which most anyone can relate too.

"Tales of the Crown" is a benchmark album in time, so to speak. It defines early twenty-first century power metal in my opinion. I'll put it to you this way, since I purchased this CD, it has yet to leave my CD player. It's that good!

Ok, I don't really have the CD. I instead saved money by buying the album download from Amazon. I do love it though. I've been listening to this type of music for a dozen years, and so how this guy slipped under my radar I have no idea. If you like CD's like Rob Rocks Garden of Chaos, or Firewind, I think you'll also love this. The music is a lot like Hammerfall also, but I prefer this type of singing better. The CD is great, but I love the first two songs so much I hardly have listened to the rest of it. I'll admit, at times I have to question the lyrics as they could use some work, but the production, and especially guitar are EXCELLENT! Wall to wall sound, but yet not overproduced. This was obviously written by a guitar player who loves playing the guitar. I know that sounds like a given, but believe me, it isn't. It it were then there wouldn't be so many guitar players today who don't even put SOLOS in their songs. This is awesome. I'm planning on buying the previous albums soon.

This is an update to my original review. After having this album now for a month or two (I originally bought the MP3 album from Amazon) it is by far my favorite CD I own. I ordered the actual CD because I really think it's THAT GOOD and I really wanted the CD booklet. Call me nostalgic...

I have since ordered Mystica and although it's really good, Tales of the Crown is a LOT better. I don't know how he did it, but A.R.P. really created a masterpiece on this one. I still can't decide which song is my favorite, although I've got it narrowed down to either track 1, 2, or 8.

All I have to say is that this is there best album they have done yet. No cheesy love songs, more modern, and more power metal feel to it! A must have for Axel Rudi pell fans!

Another year, another album...once again Axel Rudi Pell returns with his signature trademark sound & as always DOESN'T DISAPPOINT! There's not many artists out there that have been around as long as Axel & yet can still deliver on a consistent level. He never really abandons his style of power/progressive music yet he still has a way to keep you coming back for more...'Tales of the Crown' is a testament to himself & his fans!

If you like ARP, then just buy it. Because It is including everything belong to your love relation with this group. It have Pure sound, pure riffs and pure and strong voice.

Beautiful Album. Specially, Rocklovers must buy it.

I received the item in a timely manner and the correct amount was billed to my credit card. I am completely satisfied with this transaction.