Axel Rudi Pell
Formed: 1989
From:
Bochum,
Germany
Last Known Status: Active
Latest Axel Rudi Pell News
Below is our complete Axel Rudi Pell news coverage, including columns and articles pertaining to the band. Some articles listed may be indirectly related, such as side projects of the band members, etc.
Note: We began associating news directly with bands in late 2003. Therefore, earlier band news may not be listed on this page.
Displaying records 1 - 20 of 57 1 2 3 Last
Axel Rudi Pell Debuts "Guillotine Walk" Video
German Guitar wizard Axel Rudi Pell released with "Guillotine Walk" a new digital single and video today. The song is taken from the upcoming studio album "Ghost Town," which is set to be released on March 20, 2026 through Steamhammer.
Axel Rudi Pell: "The walk to the scaffold! The last thoughts of a condemned man… musically melancholic yet driving and full of power! A great opener for the album and one of my favourite songs!" More...
Axel Rudi Pell To Release New Album In June
No doubt about it: The world would be a much poorer place without Axel Rudi Pell.
On his 22nd (!) studio album "Risen Symbol," the Bochum-based guitarist and songwriter continues to fly the melodic hard rock flag without watering down his style with pseudo-modern stylistic variations or expendable studio gimmicks. At the same time, he is constantly looking for new influences, exciting inspirations and catchy hooks.
One of the best things about ARP’s anthems is that they are perfectly tailored to the charismatic voice of frontman Johnny Gioeli. The American vocalist is one of the most eminent rock singers worldwide and, together with Pell, former Rainbow drummer Bobby Rondinelli, and the two longstanding ARP members Ferdy Doernberg (keyboards) and Volker Krawczak (bass), has been an integral part of a perfectly oiled machine for more than ten years, wowing fans and media alike.
"Risen Symbol" will be available on Steamhammer/SPV from June 14, 2024. For all those who can’t wait, April 3, 2024 will see the arrival of the lead single "Guardian Angel" followed on May 22, 2024 by "Darkest Hour." More...
Axel Rudi Pell Shares New Visualizer Video
German Guitar wizard Axel Rudi Pell released with "Gone With The Wind" a new digital single and visualizer today. The song is taken from the upcoming studio album "Lost XXIII," which will be released on April 15th.
Axel Rudi Pell: "'Gone With The Wind' is one of the best and most emotional ballads I ever wrote. Lyrically it's about a dog who waits for his owner at the train station to return from work. Unfortunately his owner died during work. The dog waits for more than 1 year at the station, never realizing that his master will never return. It's a true story actually!" More...
Axel Rudi Pell Posts New Lyric Video Online
German Guitar wizard Axel Rudi Pell released with "Down On The Streets" a new digital single and lyric video today. The song is taken from the upcoming studio album "Lost XXIII".
Axel Rudi Pell: "'Down On The Streets' is a song heavily influenced by one of Britain's Top Rock bands: Thin Lizzy! Not only musically, but also lyrically. It's about a couple, who are drug addicts and their fight to survive living on the streets. Tough Stuff!"
"Lost XXIII" will be released on April 15th, 2022 through SPV/Steamhammer in the following configurations:
- Limited CD DigiPak (incl. poster and 1 bonus track)
- CD jewel case
- 2LP Gatefold, 140 g, half red/half black vinyl, printed inner sleeves
- Limited box set (incl. limited CD digipak, 2 LP gatefold exclusive box set color circled red/black vinyl, high quality framed art print, A1 double sided poster, photo card, sticker - Europe only!!)
- Download / Streaming More...
Axel Rudi Pell Releases New Lyric Video
German Guitar wizard Axel Rudi Pell has today released a new lyric video for the song, "Survive." You can check it out below. The song comes from the guitarist's upcoming new album, "Lost XXIII," which will be released on April 15th through SPV/Steamhammer.
Axel Rudi Pell: "'Survive' is about many crazy things happening recently in the world. We have a pandemic still going on and very critical situations in different countries. Who is our enemy and will we survive? A melodic hard rocking track in our typical ARP style!" More...
Axel Rudi Pell Reveals New Album Details
Eagerly awaited by their fans, delivered on schedule by the ARP band: April 15 will see the arrival of guitarist, songwriter, and bandleader Axel Rudi Pell’s new album, "Lost XXIII." It consists of ten brand-new songs (plus intro) and will be available as a digipak, CD, double vinyl album, strictly limited box set, and for digital download.
"Lost XXIII" is Pell’s 21st studio recording and - like all previous albums in his 33-year solo career - will be out on Steamhammer/SPV.
The first lead single, "Survive", will be released in the physical and digital stores on February 18 - a deeply melodic hard rock number featuring a guitar riff characteristic of Pell and the kind of superb melody that we’ve come to expect from Pell: “I’m confident that my fans will get exactly the kind of song they’ve been waiting for. ‘Survive’ is typical of the ARP band, carried by the fantastic voice of our vocalist Johnny Gioeli.”
Speaking of which: the ARP band mark 2022 continues to consist of Johnny Gioeli, bassist Volker Krawczak, keyboardist Ferdy Doernberg and drummer Bobby Rondinelli (ex- Rainbow), a perfectly oiled hard rock machine that never fails to deliver Pell’s compositions outstandingly and at the same time enhance them with each musician’s own trademarks.
The same applies to the second single, "Down On The Streets", scheduled for release on March 25. "Thin Lizzy could have had a finger in that particular pie," Pell explains, tongue-in-cheek, adding: "The lyric is about tough life on the streets."
"Lost XXIII" was produced by Axel Rudi Pell, mixed by Tommy Geiger, mastered by Ulf Horbelt, and the mysterious cover artwork was once again designed by Thomas Ewerhard (Gotthard, Edguy, Sons Of Apollo, among others). The ARP band will embark on another major tour in spring and autumn 2022. More...
Axel Rudi Pell Posts New Lyric Video Online
German Guitar wizard Axel Rudi Pell released a new digital single and lyric video for the song "There's Only One Way To Rock" today. The song is taken from the upcoming cover album "Diamonds Unlocked II." You can watch it below.
Axel Rudi Pell: "One of my favored Sammy Hagar tunes, wild and energetic! I also like the Van Halen Live version, but I didn't want to compete with Eddie here, because there was only one Eddie Van Halen! R.I.P.!"
"Diamonds Unlocked II" will be released on July 30th, 2021 through SPV/Steamhammer in the following configurations:
- DigiPak incl. poster
- 2LP Gatefold, 140 g, black vinyl, printed inner sleeves
- Download / Streaming More...
Axel Rudi Pell To Release Second Covers Album
German hard rock guitar wizard Axel Rudi Pell has finished recording and mixing his latest album "Diamonds Unlocked II," set for release on July 30th 2021 on Steamhammer/SPV. The successor to last year‘s top 5 album "Sign Of The Times" is the follow-up to his 2007 cover recording "Diamonds Unlocked." Pell‘s carefully considered decision not to release brand-new material for the first time in almost 15 years is mainly based on the ongoing pandemic and current restrictions on live concerts. The 61-year-old explains that "it makes no sense at all to put out new songs that we will not be able to perform live."
Axel Rudi Pell had been flirting with the concept of "Diamonds Unlocked II" for two or three years, and he‘s also aware of the vast number of cover versions currently floating on the Internet, which he sees as a challenge. Of course it depends on the selection and variety of the material, but first and foremost it is the transformation of each individual track that matters. The result is so outstanding that he is justly proud of his latest offering. "Without patting myself on the back too loudly – this is an album worth listening to from start to finish." Instead of delivering every single note so that it sounds exactly like the original, a cover album should, above all, be fun. And entertain and inspire the listener, an audio algorithm which makes you get out the original versions or the whole back catalogue of the artists presented. In this respect, "Diamonds Unlocked II" is an offer that no self-respecting hard rock fan can refuse
Tracklisting:
1. Der Schwarze Abt (Intro)
2. There‘s Only One Way To Rock (original by Sammy Hagar)
3. Lady Of The Lake (original by Rainbow)
4. She‘s A Lady (original by Paul Anka)
5. Black Cat Woman (original by Geordie)
6. Room With A View (original by Tony Carey)
7. Sarah (You Take My Breath Away) (original by Chris Norman)
8. Rock N‘ Roll Queen (original by The Subways)
9. Paint It Black (original by the Rolling Stones)
10. I Put A Spell On You (original by Screamin' Jay Hawkins)
11. Eagle (original by Abba) More...
Weekend Of Metal Festival Live Streams On Tap
Two of the most popular European festivals kick off this weekend - Graspop Metal Meetings in Belgium and Hellfest in France. Both will live stream selected acts starting today and through the weekend.
Among the confirmed acts set for the live stream (subject to change daily) at Graspop Metal Meetings: Melechesh, Rotting Christ, Axel Rudi Pell, Devildriver and Alestorm.
For Hellfest, you can witness (subject to change daily): Devin Townsend Project, Powerwolf, Behemoth, Obituary, In Flames, Saxon, Opeth, Metal Church and Coroner.
To check the schedule and two channels of live streaming (all times CET) from Graspop Metal Meetings, head on over to this location.
To check out live streaming from Hellfest (all times CET), head on over to this location. More...
Axel Rudi Pell Posts "Love's Holding On" Video
Bochum, Germany-based guitar wizard Axel Rudi Pell releases the first single and video today from new album "The Ballads V" today. For the first time ever in his almost thirty-year career as a solo artist, Axel Rudi Pell welcomes a special guest star on one of his albums: rock legend Bonnie Tyler has recorded a stunning duet with ARP's longtime singer Johnny Gioeli.
Axel Rudi Pell is justly proud of his new single "Love's Holding On" that drops today, saying: "Bonnie Tyler only records songs she personally likes. So I wrote this tune just for her and she really loved it. She came to the studio and we recorded it within a couple of hours. The result is amazing - another soon-to-be Pell classic in the making. If I hadn't been a fan already, I would have turned into one instantly."
New album "The Ballads V" will be released on April 21st, 2017 through SPV/Steamhammer as CD digipack (including poster), double gatefold purple vinyl, limited boxset, download, and stream.
1. Love's Holding On 5:06 (new song feat. Bonnie Tyler)
2. I See Fire 6:02 (new cover version, Ed Sheeran song)
3. On The Edge Of Our Time 7:42 (new song)
4. Hey Hey My My 5:02
5. Lived Our Lives Before 6:31
6. When Truth Hurts 6:46
7. Forever Free 8:27
8. Lost In Love 6:05
9. The Line (live) 7:31 (previously unreleased)
10. Mistreated (live) 14:12 More...
Axel Rudi Pell Announces "The Ballads V"
Bochum-based guitar wizard Axel Rudi Pell has announced the arrival of his next offering: "The Ballads V" is set to hit record stores and digital platforms on April 21st, 2017 via Steamhammer/SPV. In true Pell tradition, part five of his successful ballad compilation series features a smooth balance between the past six years and some brand new songs.
For the first time ever in his almost thirty-year career as a solo artist, Axel Rudi Pell welcomes a special guest star on one of his albums: Bonnie Tyler has recorded a stunning duet with ARP's longtime singer Johnny Gioeli on the single "Love's Holding On."
Pell comments: "Bonnie Tyler only records songs she personally likes. So I wrote this tune just for her and she really loved it. She came to the studio and we recorded it within a couple of hours. The result is amazing - another soon-to-be Pell classic in the making. If I hadn't been a fan already, I would have turned into one instantly." More...
Wacken Open Air Live Stream Available
This weekend, you can stream portions of the 2016 edition of Wacken Open Air live via Arte.tv. Some of the top bands offered for streaming: Iron Maiden, Blind Guardian, Saxon, Testament, Eluveitie and Ministry (among others).
The live stream can be accessed at this location.
The schedule for streaming can be found below (note: all times are CET):
Thursday, August 4th:
16h50-17h35 Henry Rollins
17h40-18h05 Hämatom
18h10-19h25 Saxon
19h30-20h30 Panzerballett
20h35-21h25 Phil Campbell’s All Starr Band
21h30-23h30 Iron Maiden
23h35-00h15 Therapy?
00h15-00h45 (tba)
00h45-01h00 Born to Lose, Lived To Win (A Farewell to Lemmy Kilmister)
Friday, August 5:
16h20 17h20 Entombed A.D.
17h25-18h25 Axel Rudi Pell
18h30-19h45 Eluveitie
19h50-21h05 Bullet For My Valentine
21h10-22h25 Tarja
22h30-00h00 Blind Guardian
00h15-01h30 Ministry
01h45-03h00 Testament
Saturday, August 6th:
15h40-16h55 Borknagar
17h00-18h10 Metal Church
18h15-19h30 Therion
19h35-20h50 Steel Panther
20h55-22h10 Clutch
22h15-23h30 Triptykon
23h35-00h35 (tba)
00h40-01h55 Parkway Drive
01h55-03h10 Arch Enemy More...
Axel Rudi Pell Posts New Lyric Video
German guitar wizard Axel Rudi Pell and SPV/Steamhammer today release a lyric video for the new single "The King Of Fools."
The new single will be released digitally on December 6th and is taken from the forthcoming studio album "Game Of Sins," due out January 22nd. The track listing is as follows:
1. Lenta Fortuna (Intro)
2. Fire
3. Sons In The Night
4. Game Of Sins
5. Falling Star
6. Lost In Love
7. The King Of Fools
8. Till The World Says Goodbye
9. Breaking The Rules
10. Forever Free
11. DigiPak Bonus Track: All Along The Watchtower More...
Axel Rudi Pell Reveals New Album Details
Axel Rudi Pell is gearing up to release new album "Game Of Sins" on January 22, 2016 via SPV/Steamhammer. The album will be available as a digipack with bonus track, a jewel case edition, 2LP gatefold, digital download, and limited edition box set. The track listing is as follows:
1. Lenta Fortuna (Intro)
2. Fire
3. Sons In The Night
4. Game Of Sins
5. Falling Star
6. Lost In Love
7. The King Of Fools
8. Till The World Says Goodbye
9. Breaking The Rules
10. Forever Free
11. DigiPak Bonus Track: All Along The Watchtower
See Axel Rudi Pell performing live at these upcoming 2016 European festivals:
30.07.16 D-Pyras - Pyraser Classic Rock Night
04.-06.08.16 D-Wacken - Wacken Open Air (sold out)
04.09.16 D-Bochum - Zeltfestival Ruhr More...
Axel Rudi Pell Posts "Since You Been Gone" Clip
Axel Rudi Pell released a live clip for the track "Since You Been Gone" (featuring Alcatrazz vocalist Graham Bonnet), which appears on the upcoming 2CD/DVD live set "Magic Moments 25th Anniversary." The release is out in Scandinavia on April 22nd, in Germany on April 24th, in Europe on April 27th and in the USA on April 28th through SPV/Steamhammer.
"Magic Moments" was captured at the special anniversary performance at the Bang Your Head Festival in Germany on July 11th 2014. In addition to Graham Bonnet, it features a myriad of guest performances including: Doogie White (Michael Schenker's Temple of Rock), Ronnie Atkins (Pretty Maids), Rob Rock (Impellitteri), Jeff Scott Soto (ex-Yngwie Malmsteen) and others.
The track list for the release is: More...
Axel Rudi Pell Releasing "Magic Moments" DVD
Axel Rudi Pell will release "Magic Moments - The 25th Anniversary Concert" on April 28th in North America via SPV/Steamhammer.
It was a hot summer night and the beach was burning... Wrong song, wrong place! But the weather gods smiled on Axel Rudi Pell on that memorable magic evening of July 11th 2014: there had been a severe weather alert, but in the end the floodgates of heaven opened only during the last song of his regular set, the Rainbow classic "Long Live Rock´n´Roll."
"That was Ronnie James Dio crying from above," promoter Horst E. Franz speculated while bidding his farewells to the almost 15,000 drenched-but-happy fans at the festival site.
Three hours before the sun went down, creating a beautiful atmosphere at the Bang Your Head festival in Balingen, Germany, where Axel Rudi Pell celebrated his 25th anniversary as a solo artist with a once-in-a-life-time performance.
The CDs and DVDs document a show that is unlikely to ever be seen again in this constellation - a special present the protagonist had worked hard for. It took almost a year to set everything up. "The actual organization started in the summer of 2014 when the promoter and I went public with the idea of this event," Axel tells with obvious relief. He´s still very happy about how things have turned out. With a little help from his friends at his booking agency, the Bochum guitarist set up an extraordinary line-up. "It was mostly all about personal contacts," because after more than 30 years in the business Axel Rudi Pell is not only well-known, but also well-respected in the worldwide rock community, so the affix "& Friends" is not one of those usual exaggerations. Almost all of his favored candidates agreed on this one July date. More...
Axel Rudi Pell Announces Deluxe Album Release
After hitting the German (#5) and Swiss (#9) charts with latest album "Into the Storm" and selling out 7 dates of the first part of the Into the Storm Tour in February, there is still so much more to come from Axel Rudi Pell.
On his 25th anniversary headliner gig on July 11th at the Bang Your Head Festival in Germany, Axel Rudi Pell will he be joined on stage by Graham Bonnet (Rainbow, MSG), Joe Lynn Turner (Rainbow, Deep Purple), Doogie White (Rainbow, Yngwie Malmsteen), John Lawton (Uriah Heep), Tony Carey (Rainbow), Vinny Appice (Black Sabbath, Dio) and the former ARP singers Jeff Scott Soto and Rob Rock, along with being reunited with the original members from his former band Steeler.
The "Into The Storm" album also gets a deluxe treatment with a bonus CD consisting of brand new live recordings and the latest "Long Way To Go" video. The deluxe edition has a new cover and a new extended 16-page booklet with photos and liner notes by Axel Rudi Pell. Release dates are for Scandinavia August 20th, Germany August 22nd, Europe August 25th, and USA September 2nd. The track listing is: More...
Column
The Rockstar Ramblings: Tribute
This week an eclectic group of videos featuring bad ass women, potential kidnappings and answering the question no one asked: Why do escalators move so slow?
Axel Rudi Pell has released a new video for the song "Long Way To Go," taken from the guitarist's latest album "Into The Storm." The video starts like an indie movie, a boring indie movie. We see city like scenes and then an escalator. Is the escalator a metaphor for life and the “long way to go?” Maybe it just means some escalators are way to slow and this song is about how long it takes. If so, I understand…
Axel Rudi Pell Posts "Long Way To Go" Video
Axel Rudi Pell has released a new video for the song "Long Way To Go," taken from the "Into The Storm" album. The video was directed by Tim Assmann and can be viewed below.
July 11th will see Axel Rudi Pell celebrate his 25th anniversary as a solo artist by performing a very special show at the Bang Your Head Festival in Balingen, Germany. Not only will he be joined on stage by some very special guests, but he will also be reunited with the original members from his former band Steeler.
Then Axel Rudi Pell will continue with the second part of the Into the Storm tour. Catch the show on one of these dates:
19.09. CH-Pratteln - Z7
20.09. NL-Zoetermeer - Boerderij
21.09. D-Cologne - Essigfabrik
23.09. D-Aschaffenburg - Colos-Saal
24.09. D-Munich - Backstage
26.09. A-Vienna - Szene
27.09. CZ-Zlin - Masters of Rock Cafe
28.09. CZ-Prague - Matrix Music Club
30.09. D-Berlin - Huxleys
01.10. D-Bremen - Aladin
03.10. D-Karlsruhe - Substage
04.10. B-Vooselaar - Biebob
05.10. D-Bochum - Zeche More...
Axel Rudi Pell Posts Album Teaser
Axel Rudi Pell will release his new studio album on January 21st, 2014 in North America via SPV/Steamhammer.
Today Axel Rudi Pell gives fans the chance to check out another sample from "Into the Storm." A snippet from the title track can be heard below, and the album's full track listing is as follows:
1. The Inquisitorial Procedure
2. Tower Of Lies
3. Long Way To Go
4. Burning Chains (hear a sample at this location)
5. When Truth Hurts
6. Changing Times
7. Touching Heaven
8. High Above
9. Hey Hey My My
10. Into The Storm
11. White Cats (opus #6 Scivolare) (Bonus Track)
12. Way To Mandalay (Bonus Track) More...