Axel Rudi Pell: Diamonds Unlocked II DIGI version on CD in digipack edition. This particular edition was published in Germany in publishing company Steamhammer on 30. July 2021.

Boredom in Lockdown? Not with Axel Rudy Pell! After last year's Top 5 album "Sign Of The Times", the German hard rock guitarist now releases "Diamonds Unlocked II", the follow-up to the cover version of 2007's "Diamonds Unlocked". The decision not to release any new material for the first time in years is more than understandable given the ongoing pandemic and the limitations in performing. After all, the 66-year-old singer says that "there's no point in releasing brand new songs that you're not allowed to play live". So if this album was "just" a kind of transition to the next one, it turned out to be pretty damn good! Incidentally, "Diamonds Unlocked II" had been on Pell's mind for two or three years; he took note of the many cover versions floating around the net, but also took it as an incentive. Because, of course, it's all about choice and, above all, individual execution - but he and his band fully succeeded. "Without wanting to pat ourselves on the back, the album is very listenable in its entirety." Anyone can play it, but the purpose of an album of cover versions should be to entertain. Entertainment and inspiration in one, a sonic algorithm so to speak, after which you may want to listen again to the original versions or even the complete works of the artists represented. But that's not the only reason why "Diamonds Unlocked II" has become an offer that is hard to refuse for a hard rock fan. It starts with ARP's typical intro "Der Schwarze Abt", the only original track: "I like intros that draw you into the atmosphere of the album." A worthy opener is Sammy Hagar's "There's Only One Way To Rock" (1982), a "perfect song", but for the solo part Pell took a cue from a later concert version of Van Halen with Hagar's band, where he practically fought a duel with himself. He then confirms his love for another guitar hero named Blackmore with one of the most underrated songs of the Rainbow/Dio era: "Lady Of The Lake" from the 1978 album "Long Live Rock'n'Roll". "Rainbow incomprehensibly never played this song live, we took the example of the deluxe edition demo and enhanced it with excursions in typical ARP style." The first surprise comes next in the form of Paul Anka's "She's A Lady" (best known for Tom Jones' songs from the seventies). Despite initial skepticism, the two Americans in the band, singer Johnny Gioeli and drummer Bobby Rondinelli, are now big fans of this great version, which starts as a ballad and builds into a thoroughbred rocker. Geordie's semi-hit "Black Cat Woman" (1973) has also received a makeover and shines with new verve when combined with Brian Johnson's 1989 version. Tony Carey, the former Rainbow keyboardist, had a big hit in 1988 with the ballad "Room With A View" from the TV series "Wild West Included"; Pell gives it his own perfect treatment. As with Chris Norman's 1987 hit "Sarah (You Take My Breath Away)", Pell gives the whole thing a new twist, less keys and more arp drive. The biggest surprise is definitely "Rock'N'Roll Queen" (The Subways, 2005). We cut the punk down a bit, cooled the headless guitars a bit and made it a heavy rock anthem." There are many versions of "Paint It Black" (Rolling Stones), but none compares to the live version by Deep Purple from 1993, Blackmore's last tour. "I had to re-do the song in the ARP style, so the Purple original was a perfect fit." "I Put A Spell On You" (Screamin' Jay Hawkins, 1956) is the oldest song on the album, made famous by CCR's version. "That one influenced me. I added a solo inspired by Paul Kossoff (R.I.P.) from Free, which is my favorite solo." Another highlight comes at the end: the grandiose heavy rock adaptation of Abba's classic "Eagle" shows ARP in top form and makes you want to listen to another original work in spring 2022.

Album spans genres Rock and Heavy Metal. Digipack.