Axel Rudi Pell – Between The Walls

1994's Between the Walls was the fourth studio album from guitar slinger Axel Rudi Pell, and the second to feature journeyman vocalist Jeff Scott Soto (ex-Malmsteen).

Between the Walls picks up right where Eternal Prisoner left off. Axel Rudi Pell may not be making the most original type of music in the world, but when it comes to making high quality melodic heavy metal albums, he certainly knows his stuff. There are some great metal anthems on this album, including “Outlaw,” “Warrior” and the very melodic title track, and a 10-minute epic called “Casbah” that is an early indicator of the more epic approach Pell would take with later albums. The cover of Free's “Wishing Well” was a neat addition, and shows the diversity of Pell's influences. Soto, as always, delivers a first rate performance. With the possible exception of the Biker Mice from Mars soundtrack, Soto has never disappointed.

Perhaps the best thing about Between the Walls is that despite the fact that it was released in 1994, Pell remained blissfully unaware and/or indifferent to the whole grunge/alternative wave that so fouled up the musical landscape here. I mean, who else would write an all-out metal anthem like “Warrior” in 1994?

Between the Walls is another winner from Axel Rudi Pell. If you're a fan of guitar-heavy melodic metal, and don't need something terribly original, you should check out what Axel Rudi Pell has to offer, and Between the Walls is a great place to start.