Date: 2020
Total Time: 54:32
Label: SPV Steamhammer

After the “best of live” “XXX Anniversary Live” for the 30th anniversary of this historic band of the Hard Rock Sound, the “true” band of his mastermind, German guitarist Axel Rudi Pell continues to celebrate its existence with their new album ” Sign Of The Times ”. A band that has recruited big names in vocals all these years such as Rob Rock, Jeff Scott Soto and Bonnie Tyler.

As expected here we are dealing again with an electrified neurotic release, in the veins of DEEP PURPLE, SCORPIONS and RAINBOW Dio era. The album consists of 10 Hard Rock songs with an average duration of five and a half minutes each, talking about unfulfilled or fulfilled loves and other experiential stories. The sound of the compositions in terms of production sounds low without depth and the appropriate volume, where the drums are almost non-existent!

However, there are several special moments such as the starting “fast as a bullet” “Gunfire” with its very nice guitar solo.The title track is the best moment of the album where its main riff brings in mind the awesome “Giants” of the great HELLOWEEN while the nostalgic “Bad Reputation” is nice. Finally, apart from the beautiful ballad “As Blind As A Fool Can Be” and the last epic “Into The Fire”, the rest of the songs were indiffirent. Monotonous and eventually boring compositions.

Listening to this album along with the characteristic voice of Johnny Gioeli, who has been in the band since 1997, all you feel  is respect and a hidden desire to enjoy them at some point “live” on stage and just have a good time. I would say that this album is not only suitable for the “die hard” fans of the band, but also for those who want to “relax” with a short Hard Rock break.

Rating: 6/10
Editor: Mathiopoulos Nikos
Related Link: AXEL RUDI PELL – Official Page