The return to a time when the term “Hard Rock” was still used to pinpoint an established genre. With his 13th album, German guitarist Axel Rudi Pell delivers a trip into a very tasteful past. A guitar intro which reminds us of both Ritchie Blackmore and Gary Moore, opens the album. The first actual song, the Rainbow-like driving rocker “Edge Of The World”, kicks down the walls in a rough, but honest production. Something that goes for the whole album: a direct sound. We’ve got a rough mix of the album, hopefully the final result isn’t too polished (except for the drums that sound too flat and dry). The second song is “Coming Home”, sounding somewhat like the Scorpions at their best, and then there’s the epos “Live For The King”, which starts as a ballad, working beautifully towards a powerful rocker.

The rest of the songs: a few catchy ballads, and some Rainbow/Dio-like rockers in the best tradition. Two very remarkable musicians on this album: ofcourse mister Pell himself, a guitarist who doesn’t always hide behind speedy solo’s, but who recognises the power of an honest single note as well. Secondly there is singer Johnny Gioeli: a voice with the timbre of Jon Bon Jovi, and the power of Ronnie James Dio. In short: an album for all those people who can appreciate high quality traditional Hard Rock.