“Ghost Town” is the 23rd studio album by legendary German guitarist Axel Rudi Pell. Over a career spanning decades and numerous records, Pell has established himself as one of the most reliable and consistent artists in the rock and metal scene. Backed by an incredibly stable line-up and a punctual release cycle, he is joined by world-class talent: Hardline’s iconic vocalist Johnny Gioeli and veteran drummer Bobby Rondinelli (Black Sabbath, Rainbow, Doro, Blue Öyster Cult). Their stellar performances consistently elevate the material far beyond what lesser musicians could achieve.
Stylistically, Pell remains fiercely loyal to his signature brand of Rainbow-esque hard rock and heavy metal. He delivers the exact same sonic blueprint he has perfected for the past few decades, offering precious few surprises but a high guarantee of quality.
The album kicks off with a familiar one-two punch. The majestic introduction, “Regicide”, gives way to the fast-paced opener, “Guillotine Walk”. While Pell used to favor full double-bass numbers, his material has progressively shifted toward a mid-tempo groove, though this track remains swift. It checks every single box: driving guitars, a catchy chorus, and a highly melodic, engaging guitar solo.
“Breaking Seals” (feat. Udo Dirkschneider): Despite a deep admiration for Udo Dirkschneider—and Pell’s obvious attempts to make this track sound appropriately Accept-able alongside Gioeli’s gritty delivery—this collaboration feels a bit hit-and-miss. While both singers harmonize beautifully in certain sections, Udo sounds far too rough during the main lines of the chorus. It feels slightly out of character for an otherwise strong composition. Additionally, the vocals overall feel a bit too loud and “in your face” within the overall mix just on this particular track.
Gioeli retains his newfound, extra-gritty vocal delivery on the title track “Ghost Town”, which serves both his performance and the song incredibly well. The track stands out as an absolute highlight, masterfully blending heavy-hitting grooves with an elevated pace. Pell’s solo is another major high point, passionate, emotive, and perfectly tailored to the track’s core identity.
“Holy Water”: This song is bluesier, heavier, and packed with soul. Gioeli’s delivery starts out subdued and deeply pensive before breaking out into a passionate, soaring cry for the chorus. Following a solid bridge of riffs, Pell lays down one of his best and most expressive guitar solos in years.
“The Enemy Within” features a patient, building introduction, before it transitions into a heavy, almost doomy opening verse that carries a distinct Black Sabbath influence. This atmosphere gives Bobby Rondinelli plenty of room to showcase his powerful drumming. While Pell’s solo is immaculate, the chorus, though nice, feels a bit less defined compared to other tracks on the record, which is my only qualm over it.
Breaking away from the album’s predominant mid-tempo groove, “Hurricane” is a relentless, neoclassical shred-fest driven by double-bass drumming. It harks back to Pell’s most energetic, high-speed eras. It is a solid effort, though it occasionally becomes evident that the band might be growing a bit too vintage to comfortably dwell in that high-tempo threshold.
“Sanity” relies on a slow-burn build-up packed with immense melody before bursting into an equally melodic and anthemic chorus.
“Towards the Shore” is a beautiful ballad, which provides a much-needed change of pace. It brings a sense of peace before the album’s final push into an epic crescendo that comes in the form of the last two songs, namely the
“Steps of Stone”, a punishing, hard-hitting track that carries both the tone and style of the earlier albums that first featured Gioeli and the pretty exquisite “Higher Call”, a proper epic track, complete with a grand, two-minute introduction. From every perspective, this is one of the finest songs on the album, featuring awesome melodies, a spectacular solo, top-tier performances, and a chorus that hits just right, it delivers effortlessly on every level.
“Ghost Town” relies heavily on the classic tropes of the genre that Axel Rudi Pell has happily chained himself to, but it succeeds precisely because it delivers exactly what his fans crave.
Gioeli remains a top-tier vocalist, performing with incredible power and grit. The long-standing line-up is incredibly tight and the overall mix is well-balanced. On the majority of the tracks, Pell’s solos are genuinely emotional and perfectly placed.
Without breaking any new ground or reinventing the wheel, Pell manages to add another beautiful jewel to his melodic metal crown. While it might not be the primary centerpiece of his discography, it is a certified gem nonetheless.
