Metal Thrashing Mad – The New Black vs. Axel Rudi Pell

Metal Thrashing Mad – The New Black vs. Axel Rudi Pell

THE NEW BLACK
III: Cut Loose
AFM

Do you like Motorhead? Do you like Black Label Society? Then go buy this. You’ll like it. ‘Nuff said.

But for those of you who want a tad more information, then read on. You won’t be surprised to learn that this is the third album from German rockers, The New Black, but you might be surprised at how dashed good it is. It’s straight down the middle heavy metal rock and roll, and as I mentioned above, anyone who likes the riff fests dished up by the bands above will find an awfy lot to enjoy here. They’ve got the guitars, they’ve got the riffs and they’ve even got the groove, no more so than on the Sabbathy ‘Superhuman Mission’. It’s the highlight of the album, and one of the best tunes you’ll hear all year.

The rest of the album is no slacker either, with songs like ‘Cut Loose’ and ‘Any Colour You Like (As Long As It’s Black)’ rocking out like utter bastards.

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AXEL RUDI PELL
Live On Fire
Steamhammer

For sure, it’s a new line album from he German guitar maestro, Axel Rudi Pell! It’s ten years since his last live album, “Knights Live”, and with his last studio album a huge success all across Europe, what better time to whap out a live CD, DVD, CD/DVD, vinyl, leather plated surround sound, choose your own format extragavanza.

And if you’ve ever heard an Axel Rudi Pell album, then you will know exactly what’s going to happen here. And that is an onslaught of traditional heavy metal, with an array of Blackmore style widdles, pounding drums and histrionic vocals. In fact, I’m feeling a wee bit moist just thinking about it. I’ve only got the audio to review, so can’t vouch for any of the visuals on offer, but noise wise, it’s straight out of the top drawer. Recorded at Cologne, Essigfabrik on October 18th 2012, there are 13 tracks on the CD version, although one of them is the ominously titled ‘Drum Solo’, so that it takes it down to 12, bu a couple of them are medleys, so you’re getting a fair old whack of music.

The highlights for me are the awesome ‘Circle Of The Oath’, the title track of his last album, and one of his best ever, along with ‘Nasty Reputation’ and ‘Rock The Nation’. The band are in fiery form, with an excellent vocal turn from Johnny Gioeli, who had a busy old year what with his Axel obligations and a new Hardline album, but he puts in a great shift here, especially on the ‘The Masquerade Ball’ / ‘Casbah’ / ‘Dreaming Dead’ / ‘Whole Lotta Love’ medley.

As you may have gathered its out on an array of formats, so deep breath, there is the Limited Digipak 2CD / 2DVD plus poster and tour pass, and bonus features: new interview with Axel Rudi Pell, home story Axel Rudi Pell, “Hallelujah” video clip. There is the 3LP in colored vinyl, the Digipak 2CD and the Digipak 2DVD with the same bonuses as the limited edition. There is also a Blu-Ray on the horizon.

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