Artist: AXEL RUDI PELL
Album: KNIGHT TREASURES - LIVE & MORE (2DVD)

Year: 2002
Media type: DVD

German guitar hero Axel Rudi Pell learnt his chops in the Bochum based outfit he originally founded as SINNER in 1980, namely STEELER. Having quit the group in November 1988 due to his frustration with the band's direction, SPV took up their option on him as a solo artist.

The label boss, Manfred Schultz had been so impressed with a three track demo recorded by Pell (featuring the tracks 'Broken Heart', 'Cold As Ice' and 'Promised Dreams', recorded with one-time STEELER vocalist Karl Holthaus), that he had no hesitation in offering the guitarist a deal.

In recording his first solo foray, 'Wild Obsession', Axel chose to work with ex-VICTORY vocalist Charlie Huhn alongside bassists Bodo Smuszinsky, BONFIRE's Jorg Deisinger and Pell's erstwhile STEELER colleague Volker Krawczak, with former AVENGER, RAGE and MEKONG DELTA drummer Jorg Michael rounding things out.

'Nasty Reputation' features ex-JOSHUA, M.A.R.S. and DRIVER vocalist ROB ROCK and features a reputable cover of the DEEP PURPLE ballad 'When A Blind Man Cries'. Jцrg Michael once again handled drum duties whilst bass parts were supplied by Volker Krawczak.

With dates lined up in Europe as part of a 'Metal Hammer' sponsored tour Rock dropped a bombshell when he announced he had prior commitments to IMPELLITERRI. Pell sought 'Aardschok' magazine editor Metal Mike regarding a replacement and JEFF SCOTT SOTO was duly suggested. The former YNGWIE MALMSTEEN man stepped into the breach to fulfill the tour dates.

'Eternal Prisoner' debuted Soto and included keyboard contributions from Kai Raglewski of THE DUNE. 'The Ballads' album followed, the record being a compilation of Pell's lighter career moments to date including a Karl Holterhaus version of 'Broken Heart'. This album, the first of a series, sold well and highlighted Pell's appeal to the female market.

1994's 'Between The Walls' found Pell's band line up of Krawczak, Michael and Soto stable with new keyboard player Julie Greaux, previously a member of BILLY IDOL's band. Pell's debut live effort 'Live In Germany' continued the upward sales trend.

Soto also sang on the subsequent releases 'Black Moon Pyramid' and 'Magic' despite his other commitments to numerous band projects including TAKARA and TALISMAN. Soto was also earning a crust fronting Las Vegas 70's covers act BOOGIE NIGHTS! 'Black Moon Pyramid' caught RAGE's Peavey Wagner sessioning on bass.

1998's 'Oceans Of Time' found Pell, Krawczak and Michael joined by former KILLERHIT, BRUNETTE and HARDLINE vocalist Johnny Gioeli and ROUGH SILK keyboard player Ferdy Doernberg.

The 2000 "best of" album 'The Wizard's Chosen Few' included two new numbers 'Ghosthunter' and 'Broken Dreams'. Between bouts of working with Pell drummer Jorg Michael has also racked up credits with HEADHUNTER, LAOS, GLENMORE, GRAVE DIGGER, STRATOVARIUS and RUNNING WILD.

Pell made a 2002 return to action with the April 'Shadow Zone' album. His band for this outing numbered vocalist Johnny Gioeli, bassist Volker Krawczak, keyboard player Ferdy Doernberg and drummer Mike Terrana. The latter, a permanent member of RAGE, also boasts terms with YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, METALIUM and ARTENSION. Promoting 'Shadow Zone' Pell geared up for headline European dates taking out on the road female backing singers, comprising Gudrun Laos of LAOS repute and Katja Kutz, as part of his band and support act SOUL DOCTOR. A live album culled from these dates, billed as 'Knights Live', would be scheduled for later the same year. This release would be accompanied by a DVD release 'Knight Treasures (Live & More)' which included backstage footage, the promotional video for 'The Cry Of The Gypsy' plus the archive STEELER video 'The Deeper The Night'.

In early 2003 Pell contributed a guest solo to the ROB ROCK album 'Eyes Of Eternity'. A brand new album from Pell, entitled 'Kings & Queens' and co-produced, mixed and engineered by Charlie Bauerfeind, would be laid down during the Autumn, the guitarist once more making use of vocalist Johnny Gioeli, bassist Volker Krawczak, keyboard player Ferdy Doernberg and drummer Mike Terrana. With 'Kings And Queens' emerging in March of 2004 AXEL RUDI PELL scheduled a German headline tour for April. Support came from Finnish act THUNDERSTONE and fellow Germans PUMP. The album charted at no. 40 in Germany and 75 in Sweden.

The band entered the studio in August to cut three new tracks for the third installment of their 'Ballads' series. Included would be a rendition of RAINBOW's 'Temple Of The King'. Tour plans would go awry though when an intended full tour was replaced by a series of acoustic shows. As it transpired these gigs too would be cancelled. The guitarist re-scheduled festival dates for the Summer, including the Milan 'Tradate Iron Fest', Belgium's 'Graspop Metal Meeting' and Germany's 'Wacken Open Air'. In addition, Pell and bassist Volker Krawczak would perform at the 'Rock Classic Allstars' show at the Bochum Zeche Bochum on 22nd April as part of a celebrity band comprising "Star Search" winner Martin Kesici, the SWEET credited Jeff Brown, the WARLOCK pairing of Niko Arvanitis and Peter Szigeti, Kai Hoffmann from SECRET DISCOVERY and soccer star Holger Aden.

AXEL RUDI PELL set 'Mystica' as the title of his 2006 album. The guitarist's UK live debut came with an appearance at the Derby 'Bloodstock' festival in September as part of a full-blown European tour.

TRACKLIST

DVD 1:
001 Edge of the world
002 Nasty reputation
003 Tear down the walls
004 Medley: Masquerade ball/ Casbah/ Drumsolo/ Stargazer/ Casbah
005 Follow the sign
006 Fool fool
007 Caroussel
008 The clown is dead
009 Call her princess
010 Snake eyes
011 Warrior


DVD 2:
001 Interviews mit allen Bandmitgliedern
002 Interview mit Produzent Ulli Poesselt
003 Fancam
004 Interviews mit Fans
005 The making of "Shadow zone"
006 Viedeoclip: Steeler- The deeper night
007 Videoclip: Axel Rudi Pell- Cry of the gypsy