Axel Rudi Pell
***Brand new ‘Mystica’ album out September 25th,
Live @ Derby Bloodstock Festival 29th September***

Johnny Gioeli - Lead And Backing Vocals
Axel Rudi Pell - Lead, Rhythm, and Acoustic Guitars
Ferdy Doernberg - Keyboards
Volker Krawczak - Bass
Mike Terrana - Drums And Percussion

Highly accomplished German Heavy Metal Guitar Wizard Axel Rudi Pell, who has been an integral part of the German melodic metal scene for over 25 years, is set to release his eleventh studio album, ‘Mystica’, on SPV Records on September 25th, 4 days prior to his band’s first ever live appearance in the UK at Derby’s Bloodstock Festival Sept. 29th.

Axel Rudi Pell doesn’t deny such role models as Richie Blackmore or Jimi Hendrix but breathes new life into this classic melodic hard rock style - never more so than on ‘Mystica’, a brilliant modern speed/ power metal album bursting at the seams with soaring, melodic metal anthems.

“It was a conscious decision not to try out something completely new in stylistic terms” says Pell, continuing “We have our own style, but on ‘Mystica’ we sound even more homogenous and musically coherent”. On top of that, Pell has continued to grow as a guitarist. “I think my extensive experience has had a positive effect on my musical style. The solos on the new numbers sound even a touch more emotional.”

Axel Rudi Pell was born on 27 June 1960 in Bochum, Germany. Having spent his first eleven years listening to children’s and chart music, the discovery of Ritchie Blackmore and Deep Purple irrevocably changed his life in 1971. This self-educated guitarist soon became a sought-after instrumentalist on the local music scene before he formed his first group, Steeler, in 1981. Steeler sold over 30,000 copies of their commercially most successful release, Strike Back, and brought out their fourth and final album, Undercover Animal, in 1988. Pell then formed his own band with Jörg Deisinger (ex-Bonfire), drummer Jörg Michael, bassist Thomas Smuszynski (ex-U.D.O.) and US vocalist, Charlie Huhn (Ted Nugent, Gary Moore, Victory). Their debut album, Wild Obsessions, arrived in the stores a year later, followed by Nasty Reputation, for whom Pell enlisted the American singer, Rob Rock (M.A.R.S, Impellitteri), who was then replaced during the subsequent German tour by former Malmsteen vocalist, Jeff Scott Soto. With Soto as a new member, the third album, Eternal Prisoner (1992), was undeniable proof that the band had found their own, unmistakable sound. A year later, Pell brought out The Ballads, an album featuring his most accomplished rock ballads. With Between The Walls (1994) and the live recording, Made In Germany, (1995) Pell stuck with his traditional style even in the post-grunge era. The subsequent Black Moon Pyramid (1996) was the second Pell album in succession to make the German album charts, as did Pell’s eighth offering, Magic, in 1997. Following the departure of Jeff Scott Soto at the end of 1997, US vocalist Johnny Gioeli (ex-Hardline) joined the Axel Rudi Pell band and recorded Oceans Of Time, (1998) the commercially most successful album at that time by the Axel Rudi Pell band. Johnny’s crystal clear vocals have subsequently enhanced all ARP albums to date including The Ballads II in 1999, Masquerade Ball in 2000, Shadow Zone in 2002, Kings & Queens in 2004, and now Mystica in 2006.