Axel Rudi Pell has been delivering his own brand of heavy metal music to the masses for 25 years. Inspired by greats such as Rainbow, Black Sabbath, Ronnie James Dio, and Deep Purple, Pell and his band quickly became a favorite of mine asking that age old question: “Why aren’t these fuckers larger than life?” While he may not be a household name here in the US, over in his European homeland Axel and his cronies frequent the metal festival circuit blowing minds and melting the faces of everyone that is lucky enough to be in attendance.
This year Axel Rudi Pell has released his 16th studio album Into the Storm and this is without a doubt his best release since The Crest in my opinion. I had the honor of talking with Axel on the phone from his home in Germany for the third time (yeah, I’m bragging). This time around we talked about his excitement about Into the Storm, what it has been like working with legendary drummer Bobby Rondinelli, and his exciting plans to celebrate 25 year of Axel Rudi Pell style heavy metal. It was great talking to Axel and I hope you’ll enjoy this one as much as I did.
Axel. How are you my friend?
Hello Don. I’m doing great, thank you.
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Axel, this is our third interview together. Aren’t you getting tired of talking to me?
[laughs]Not at all. Maybe we can make it very short and just use answers from the last two interviews we did [laughs].
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I’m going to throw you a few curve balls so that you don’t get the same questions you got the last times but I have to tell you that the new album is probably my favorite one of the last few that you’ve released.
Yeah. It’s mine too [laughs].
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After 16 albums, how does Into the Storm stand alongside the others that you’ve released up to this point?
I’m really not too sure to be honest. There was some a little special, maybe a spark or something. There was just something magical in the air and it’s a magic that will hopefully be there for the next 16 albums [laughs].
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There’s no denying that there is a formula to the Axel Rudi Pell material. While you seem to stick to that formula pretty consistently, each album always sounds fresh and exciting. What has kept you from dipping into a trendier, modern sound?
This is just my style. I created my own style and I don’t want to be anything else. I could be richer and make more money if I would change my style and play what’s trendy today but that’s not my intention. This kind of music that we’re playing, the ARP style that we’ve been playing for years is definitely the most true. I want to be true to myself. I don’t want to play any other kind of music even if it did mean making more money. This music comes from the heart and the soul deep inside of me and I don’t want to play any other shit.
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Into the Storm has such a great sound but it’s a noticeably different sound thanks to the addition of drummer Bobby Rondinelli. How did you 
team up with Bobby and what did he bring to the table that wasn’t already there?
A friend of mine has known Bobby since his days in Rainbow at the beginning of the 80’s and they’re always in touch with each other. Bobby was on the top of my list for new drummers and I asked my friend for Bobby’s email address. I sent him an email and let him know that I was looking for a new drummer. He told me that he had heard of me but never heard the music. I sent him some songs and YouTube links and a few days later he called me and said, “Axel, I fucking love your music. This exactly the kind of music I’ve loved playing all my life. I’m available.” I couldn’t fucking believe it! Like I said, Bobby was on the top of my list and after that there was no need to audition anybody else. Having one of my heroes playing on my record was just great!
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This time around on Into the Storm, the material seems to encompass a more Deep Purple and Rainbow kind of influence. Did the addition of Rondinelli have anything to do with this or was that just pure coincidence?
Not really. All of those songs were composed before Bobby joined the band.
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Bobby’s drumming on this album is so great and I have to say that where Mike’s (former drummer) sound seemed to be more synthetic sounding, Bobby has a more punchy, natural sound which I think works so much better for this band.
Thanks. Yeah, when Bobby came over here to join the band he just listened to the tracks and sat behind his drum kit and gave it a go. It was so fucking great. The main difference between Bobby and Mike is that I don’t have to explain everything to Bobby because we are on the same musical level. We grew up listening to the same bands so it was the same kind of musical feeling and wavelength. His drum sound is really much more natural and heavier than Mike’s sound ever was. Mike’s style is more of a fusion kind of stuff with high tuned toms. Bobby is mainly inspired by John Bonham so his sound is really heavy and it’s actually the sound I’ve been looking for all these years.
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With the tour coming up, are you really pumped to hear what some of the older songs are going to sound like with Bobby on the drums?
We’ll start rehearsals on the 4th of February. We haven’t played any of the old songs with Bobby yet because we only had him in the studio to do the new songs for Into the Storm. I’m really sure that Bobby will but some new stuff into those songs and we are very excited.
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Is the Axel Rudi Pell band your sole project or do you ever participate in other projects?
ARP is my main thing but it’s not the only thing I’m doing actually. I’m always searching for other things to do and every once in a while I may play solos on other projects. There is a band called Wolfpack with the former singer from the band Crystal Ball and they asked me to do a solo on the next record so I said sure. Little things like that but the biggest part of my day is thinking about ARP as it should be [laughs].
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Are there any newer metal bands that you listen to that you feel are doing a great job carrying on the tradition?
Unfortunately no because to tell you the truth I don’t really listen to new music. The only time I hear new music is when I’m driving around in my car listening to the radio. I don’t know of a lot of new bands because nobody tells me about them. I know when new albums are coming out by artists I already know. Like I know a new Paul Rogers album is coming out soon and I pre-ordered it [laughs].
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I’ll email you some bands that you need to be checking out Axel! You gotta hear some of these great bands that are out there.
Please do that. That would be very helpful and I’d love that. Actually, a kind of new band I discovered was a band from the Netherlands called Within Temptation. They’re great. Have you heard of them?
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I love Within Temptation. That’s a great band right there.
Yeah, I really like them. That is a really cool band.
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Axel, do you enjoy interacting with your fans and if so how do you go about doing so?
Normally about 30-45 after a show we’ll go out to the merch stand or outside the venue. I love to talk to the fans because it’s very important for me to get the direct reaction about what they like and don’t like. It’s always great to hear what the fans say about the show. Sometimes they’ll say, “Why didn’t you play “this track” or “that track”” or they’ll just ask questions and want to talk. I love talking to my fans and it’s a very important thing to do.
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Some bands have decided that charging their fans to meet them is the way to go. What’s your opinion on that?
I actually think that’s bullshit. I don’t like and won’t do it at all. I don’t like to do it because it’s just a rip off to make more money off of the fans. I know that most fans are really hard working people who have the money to buy a CD or come to see a show so to charge them money just to meet another human being is just stupid. It’s bullshit. The fans are the ones who are making you big. They are buying your records, going to your shows. I couldn’t imagine treating them like shit.
Absolutely. Sometimes I have wet dreams too [laughs]. Just kidding but really, I am still a dreamer and I dream of so many things. I dream of having a platinum record. If you’re not a dreamer, you are dying.
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Were you encouraged to follow your dreams as a kid by your family?
Not really. My parents always believed that you have to go to school and when you finish school you have to get a regular job and once you get a real job then you can concentrate on music.
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So you really had to somewhat go against your parents’ wishes in order to do what you did. Do they approve of where you’re at now?
They are both dead now unfortunately. My mom died when I was 13 and my dad was never able to see a show. I did get to show him our live DVD and he was very proud. He would walk through his neighborhood and people would say, “Mr. Pell, your son was in the newspaper” and he would say, “Yes. I know!” [laughs] He was very proud.
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When my father passed away a little over a year ago, a lot of your songs really brought me some encouragement and helped get me through a pretty grim time. What music do you listen to when you need to feel a bit uplifted and inspired?
Don, I’m sorry to hear that but thank you. Sometimes I find myself listening to just radio pop songs and other times I find myself listening to all my old 70’s records. I just depend on what mood I’m in. Sometimes I might feel like it’s just time for another run through of Made in Japan [laughs].
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Axel, are you ever too old to play heavy metal music?
Never. I mean, he’s not metal but look at Keith Richards. This guy is looking like somebody’s grandpa but he’s still up there rocking. I’m not afraid of getting old and as long as that spark and that magic is there I will always play metal.
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If you had to be remembered for one thing, what would you want to be remembered for?
I’d want to be remembered for being and underrated guitar player and songwriter.
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I know you’ve been to the US a few times. What do you look forward to the most when visiting the US?
Shopping [laughs]. So many things are cheaper there than they are in Europe. I also love the people there. The people in the US are much friendlier than they are in Europe. You really have a lovely country there.
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What’s your favorite American food?
Steak of course [laughs]. I love American steaks so much. They’re my favorite!
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What is one metal album that nobody should go through life without hearing?
Rainbow Rising. Definitely. It’s a combination of power, melody, emotion, great vocals, great drumming, great bass playing, great everything.
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If you could play guitar for just one night in any band, who would it be and why?
I would have to say Deep Purple.
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That doesn’t surprise me.
[laughs] I know right?
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What is it about Deep Purple and Rainbow and bands like those that strike such a big chord with you?
I don’t know. I think that those bands just all had something extra special you know? I’m definitely more of a vintage Deep Purple fan. When Richie (Blackmore) and Jon Lord was in the band. That was my kind of music. They were just such a perfect band. I’d be very proud to play just one show with that band. It would be great!
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When you’re cruising around in your car, what song do you just have to sing along with no matter how badly out of key you sing in?
[laughs] Deep Purple’s “Highway Star” absolutely [laughs].
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What advice do you have for the dreamers out there?
Just try your hardest to fulfill your dreams for as long as you can. Always be yourself and never give up.
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Axel, what does the 2014 have in store for you?
We will start the European tour here in a few weeks and when that is over we’ll be concentrating on a very special show on the 11th of July. It will be the 25th Anniversary of Axel Rudi Pell shows. It will also feature a short Steeler reunion show because it will also be the 30th anniversary of the recording of the first Steeler album. This show will also hopefully feature all of the ARP vocalists from over the years: Charlie Huhn, Rob Rock, Jeff Scott Soto, and of course Johnny (Gioelli; present vocalist since 1997). We will also have some of my heroes joining us on stage and playing. This show is going to be about 3.5 hours and it’s going to be a very special show. It will be filmed of course for a DVD and will see the light of day by the end of the year.
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Holy shit Axel. That sounds like an amazing show.
Maybe you can make it out here for the show. You should come [laughs].
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If I come out for there for the show can I crash on your couch or something?
[laughs] That would be great. My dog and two cats would take great care of you.
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Axel, it’s always great catching up with you. Congrats again on such a great album with Into the Storm and thank you for all these years of great music.
Thank you so much, Don. I liked this too. It’s my pleasure.
For more on Axel Rudi Pell, head on over to http://www.axel-rudi-pell.de
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