Axel Rudi Pell live at The Garage in London on February 9th, 2014

Axel Rudi Pell_7

Live Photos and Gig Review Credit: Adrian Hextall (Photographer/Live Gig reporter Myglobalmind Webzine

There is a moment in Star Wars (the real one i.e Ep IV) where Luke is taken as the student under the guiding wing of Ben (Obi Wan) Kenobi. Tonight’s show feels very similar. Rebellious Spirit are the teenage pupils (all but Jens on Bass look like a fresh faced Luke willing to learn) with Axel Rudi Pell the master (with a slight resemblance to Alec Guinness along the way) showing them the way of the force.

Unlike a lot of recent London shows, only 2 bands on the bill tonight mean Rebellious Spirit are afforded a 50 minute set.

REBELLIOUS SPIRIT

Playing for the first time in London (and possibly the UK looking at their tour schedule) Rebellious Spirit have what every teenage band aspire to. Looks, energy, hunger and more than anything, talent. Founded in Summer 2010 they have clearly practised, practised and practised some more. To date they have managed to be included on some excellent tours and festival stages, among them the Bang Your Head and have supported Reckless Love, Kissin’ Dynamite, Voodoo Circle, Shakra and Pussy Sisster.

Apart from an excellent cover of Bon Jovi’s ‘You Give Love A Bad Name’, all tracks played tonight feature on their debut album ‘Gamble Shot’. Already getting rave reviews in the media, the set has in equal parts influence from Poison on ‘Lights Out’ , Swedish superstars H.E.A.T. on ‘Rock It’ and Motley Crue on ‘Sweet Access Right’ with Vince Neil’s snarly vocal style mirrored perfectly.

Being afforded a longer set allows the band to experiment with what works and what doesn’t in the live arena. ‘You’re Not The Only One’ is a solid power ballad that often support bands will drop in favour of the high energy sets that need to be delivered in a short space of time. ‘Gone Wild’ would sit neatly on Crue’s ‘Girls Girls Girls’ which is then followed by ‘Change the World’ and a superb cover of ‘You Give Love A Bad Name’. Great choice of song and it blends in perfectly with their style.

‘Cry For You’ is a personal favourite and harks back to the era of stadium rock where hands must be held to chest as Jannik Fischer sings “Can you hear my cry for you, can you hear my cry?” with the band harmonising with “Scream for Love”. Stunning track that deserves to be huge.

‘Let’s Bring Back’ wraps it all up and they are gone. Look out for them, get the album!

REBELLIOUS SPIRIT ARE:

Jannik (vocals/guitar)

Jens Fischer (bass/vocals)

Silvio Bizer (drums)

Corvin Domhardt (guitar/vocals)

SETLIST

Lights out

Rock it

Sweet access right

You’re not the only one

Gone Wild

Change the world

You give love a bad name (Bon Jovi Cover)

Cry for you

Let’s bring back

WEB:

http://www.rebelliousspirit.de/

AXEL RUDI PELL

If what came before was the trailer / appetiser then what follows is simply a masterclass in musicianship and delivery.

The line-up for the show tonight is exemplary, with Bobby Rondinelli being added to replace current Tarja drummer Mike Terrana.

For those unfamiliar with his work (is there anyone?) Axel Rudi Pell is a German heavy metal guitar player. Some 16 albums into his ARP career, he has played with singers Jeff Scott Soto and Rob Rock and since 1997 his main frontman and vocal powerhouse has been Johnny Gioeli.

Following the deathly toll of bells and the sound of storms around the Garage (pretty much the norm with the current UK winter) ‘Burning Chains’ from new album ‘Into The Storm’ with its’ Rainbow-esque into showcases the perfect blend of musicianship and stratospheric vocals from Johnny.

By the end of the third track, ‘Strong As A Rock’, Johnny has worked the largely full Garage crowd into a frenzy and a quick look at the plethora of shirts on display tonight suggests many long-time fans and several younger ones as well which will ensure crowds for years to come.

‘Long Way to Go’ draws the crowd in with some soulful keyboard work from Ferdy Doemberg and allows Axel to solo beautifully. Crisp clear notes emanate from his guitar and it’s easy to understand why kids today want to learn to play the Strat.

Following ‘Oceans of Time’ the crowd are treated to an homage to the bands’ own influences and heroes with traces of Kashmir being thrown into the Neil Young cover of ‘Hey, Hey, My , My (Into The Black).

Keyboard solos and drum solos bookend ‘Into The Storm’ which would normally see many people move to the bar. However, the comments above stand; THIS is how it should be done. Original material, captivating and finishing with Bobby beating seven shades out of his kit with the energy of someone many years younger. ‘Before I Die’ is a recent addition to the set followed by personal favourite ‘Mystica’ . A best of jam then closes the main set before the band return for ‘The Masquerade Ball / Casbah’.

Individually they are accomplished musicians and Johnny is the consummate rock front man looking as happy to see us as we are to see the band. He works every inch of the stage and keeps everyone there enthralled.

Up and coming bands pay close attention!