Origin: Bochum, Germany  
Genres: Power Metal
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Last update/review: July 5, 2024

Axel Rudi Pell

The German metal band Steeler released four decent, if rather typical, power metal albums in the 80's, but by the end of their run personal problems arose, prompting guitarist Axel Rudi Pell to break away to start a solo career, bringing friend/bassist Volker Krawczak with him. Steeler never recorded again, but 30+ years later Pell's career is still going strong, with a string of classic traditional melodic speed/power metal albums to his credit, featuring several noteable musicians over the years including vocalist Jeff Scott Soto and workaholic drummer Jörg Michael among others, though in recent years the lineup has stabilized. His style is predictably guitar-heavy but less flashy than an Yngwie Malmsteen, with plenty of emphasis on softer ballads as evidenced by six (SIX!) ballad compilations released over the years.

Current Members

Johnny Gioeli

vocals

Axel Rudi Pell

guitars (ex-Steeler)

Volker Krawczak

bass (ex-Steeler)

Ferdy Doernberg

keyboards (ex-Taraxacum)

Bobby Rondinelli

drums (ex-Black Sabbath, ex-Blue Oyster Cult, ex-Doro, ex-Rainbow, ex-Riot V)

Former Members/Guests

Charlie Huhn

vocals (ex-Ted Nugent, ex-Victory)

Rob Rock

vocals (Impellitteri, ex-M.A.R.S., ex-Warrior)

Jeff Scott Soto

vocals (ex-Kryst The Conqueror, ex-Yngwie Malmsteen, ex-Skrapp Mettle, Sons Of Apollo)

Jörg Deisinger

bass

Thomas Smuczynski

bass (ex-Darxon)

George Hahn

keyboards

Rüdiger König

keyboards

Kai Raglewski

keyboards

Julie Greaux

keyboards

Christian Wolff

keyboards

Jörg Michael

drums (ex-Grave Digger, ex-Headhunter, ex-House Of Spirits, ex-Mekong Delta, ex-Rage, ex-Running Wild, ex-Saxon, ex-Schwarzarbeit, ex-Stratovarius, ex-Unleashed Power)

Mike Terrana

drums (ex-Artension, ex-Yngwie Malmsteen, ex-Masterplan, ex-Metalium, ex-Rage, ex-Savage Circus, guest for Squealer, ex-Vision Divine)


Discography



Wild Obsession  
1989 Steamhammer/SPV
  1. Wild Cat
  2. Call Of The Wild Dogs
  3. Slave Of Love
  4. Cold As Ice
  5. Broken Heart
  6. Call Her Princess
  7. Snake Eyes
  8. Hear You Calling Me
  9. Return Of The Calyph/From The Apocalypse Of Babylon
  10. (Don't Trust The) Promised Dreams
  • Charlie Huhn
  • Axel Rudi Pell
  • Volker Krawczak
  • Jörg Deisinger
  • Thomas Smuczynski
  • George Hahn
  • Rüdiger König
  • Jörg Michael


Nasty Reputation  
1991 Steamhammer/SPV
  1. I Will Survive
  2. Nasty Reputation
  3. Fighting The Law
  4. Wanted Man
  5. When A Blind Man Cries
  6. Land Of The Giants
  7. Firewall
  8. Unchain The Thunder
  9. Open Doors
  • Rob Rock
  • Axel Rudi Pell
  • Volker Krawczak
  • Kai Raglewski
  • Jörg Michael
1991 Readers' Album #50



Eternal Prisoner  
1992 Steamhammer/SPV
  1. Streets Of Fire
  2. Long Time
  3. Eternal Prisoner
  4. Your Life (Not Close Enough To Paradise)
  5. Wheels Rolling On
  6. Sweet Lil' Suzie
  7. Dreams Of Passion
  8. Shoot Her To The Moon
  9. Ride The Bullet
  • Jeff Scott Soto
  • Axel Rudi Pell
  • Volker Krawczak
  • Kai Raglewski
  • Jörg Michael


The Ballads  COMPILATION
1993 Steamhammer/SPV
  1. You Want Love
  2. Forever Young
  3. Dreams Of Passion
  4. Your Life (Not Close Enough To Paradise)
  5. Tearin' Out My Heart
  6. When A Blind Man Cries
  7. Broken Heart (Demo Version)
  8. Open Doors (Part Two: The Journey)
  9. Falling Tears
  10. Broken Heart (Guitar Version)


Between The Walls  
1994 Steamhammer/SPV
  1. The Curse
  2. Talk Of The Guns
  3. Warrior
  4. Cry Of The Gypsy
  5. Casbah
  6. Outlaw
  7. Wishing Well
  8. Innocent Child
  9. Between The Walls
  10. Desert Fire
  • Jeff Scott Soto
  • Axel Rudi Pell
  • Volker Krawczak
  • Julie Greaux
  • Jörg Michael


Made In Germany  LIVE
1995 Steamhammer/SPV
  1. Talk Of The Guns
  2. Nasty Reputation
  3. Mistreated
  4. Warrior
  5. Snake Eyes
  6. Casbah (Inc. Eternal Prisoner)
  7. Call Her Princess
  8. Fire On The Mountain
  • Jeff Scott Soto
  • Axel Rudi Pell
  • Volker Krawczak
  • Julie Greaux
  • Jörg Michael


Black Moon Pyramid  
1996 Steamhammer/SPV
  1. Return Of The Pharaoh
  2. Gettin' Dangerous
  3. Fool Fool
  4. Hole In The Sky
  5. Touch The Rainbow
  6. Sphinx' Revenge
  7. You And I
  8. Silent Angel
  9. Black Moon Pyramid
  10. Serenade Of Darkness
  11. Visions In The Night
  12. Aqua Solution
  13. Aquarius Dance
  14. Silent Angel (Guitar Version)
  • Jeff Scott Soto
  • Axel Rudi Pell
  • Volker Krawczak
  • Julie Greaux
  • Jörg Michael


Magic  
1997 Steamhammer/SPV
  1. Swamp Castle Overture
  2. Nightmare
  3. Playing With Fire
  4. Magic
  5. Turned To Stone
  6. The Clown Is Dead
  7. Prisoners Of The Sea
  8. Light In The Sky
  9. The Eyes Of The Lost
  • Jeff Scott Soto
  • Axel Rudi Pell
  • Volker Krawczak
  • Christian Wolff
  • Jörg Michael


Oceans Of Time  
1998 Steamhammer/SPV
  1. Slaves Of Twilight (Intro)
  2. Pay The Price
  3. Carousel
  4. Ashes From The Oath
  5. Ride The Rainbow
  6. The Gates Of The Seven Seals
  7. Oceans Of Time
  8. Prelude To The Moon (Opus #3 Menuetto Prelugio)
  9. Living On The Wildside
  10. Holy creatures
  • Johnny Gioeli
  • Axel Rudi Pell
  • Volker Krawczak
  • Ferdy Doernberg
  • Jörg Michael


The Ballads II  COMPILATION
1999 Steamhammer/SPV
  1. Come Back To Me
  2. Broken Heart
  3. The Clown Is Dead
  4. Oceans Of Time
  5. I Believe In You
  6. Ashes From The Oath
  7. Silent Angel (Guitar version)
  8. The Eyes Of The Lost
  9. Innocent Child
  10. Silent Angel
  11. Hey Joe


The Masquerade Ball  
2000 Steamhammer/SPV
  1. The Arrival (Intro)
  2. Earls Of Black
  3. Voodoo Nights
  4. Night And Rain
  5. The Masquerade Ball
  6. Tear Down The Walls
  7. The Line
  8. Hot Wheels
  9. The Temple Of The Holy
  10. July Morning
  • Johnny Gioeli
  • Axel Rudi Pell
  • Volker Krawczak
  • Ferdy Doernberg
  • Mike Terrana


The Wizard's Chosen Few  COMPILATION
2000 Steamhammer/SPV
  1. Broken Dreams
  2. Carousel
  3. The Masquerade Ball
  4. Ghosthunter
  5. Oceans Of Time
  6. Still I'm Sad
  7. Come Back To Me
  8. Burn- Purple Haze- Call Her Princess
  9. Total Eclipse
  10. Eternal Prisoner
  11. Fool Fool
  12. Casbah
  13. Snake Eyes
  14. Mistreated
  15. Magic
  16. The Clown Is Dead
  17. Nasty Reputation
  18. Land Of The Giants
  19. Hear You Calling Me


Shadow Zone  
2002 Steamhammer/SPV
  1. The Curse Of The Chains (Intro)
  2. Edge Of the World
  3. Coming Home
  4. Live For The King
  5. All The Rest Of My Life
  6. Follow The Sign
  7. Time Of The Truth
  8. Heartbreaker
  9. Saint Of Fools
  10. Under The Gun
  • Johnny Gioeli
  • Axel Rudi Pell
  • Volker Krawczak
  • Ferdy Doernberg
  • Mike Terrana


Knights Live  LIVE
2002 Steamhammer/SPV
  1. Edge Of The World
  2. Nasty Reputation
  3. Tear Down The Walls
  4. Medley: Masquerade Ball - Casbah - Drum solo - Stargazer - Casbah
  5. Follow The Sign
  6. Fool Fool
  7. Carousel
  8. The Clown Is Dead
  9. Call Her Princess
  10. Snake Eyes
  11. Warrior
  • Johnny Gioeli
  • Axel Rudi Pell
  • Volker Krawczak
  • Ferdy Doernberg
  • Mike Terrana


Knight Treasures (Live And More)  VIDEO
2002 Steamhammer/SPV


Kings And Queens  
2004 Steamhammer/SPV
  1. The Gate (Intro)
  2. Flyin' High
  3. Cold Heaven
  4. Strong As A Rock
  5. Forever Angel
  6. Legions Of Hell
  7. Only The Strong Will Survive
  8. Sailing Away
  9. Take The Crown
  10. Sea Of Evil
  • Johnny Gioeli
  • Axel Rudi Pell
  • Volker Krawczak
  • Ferdy Doernberg
  • Mike Terrana


The Ballads III  COMPILATION
2004 Steamhammer/SPV
  1. Don't Say Goodbye
  2. Forever Angel
  3. The Temple of the King
  4. Heartbreaker
  5. The Line
  6. Sea of Evil
  7. The Curse Of The Chains
  8. All the Rest of My Life
  9. Forever Angel
  10. The Temple of the Holy
  11. Under the Gun


Mystica  
2006 Steamhammer/SPV
  1. The Mysterious Return (Intro)
  2. Fly To The Moon
  3. Rock The Nation
  4. Valley Of Sin
  5. Mystica
  6. Living A Lie
  7. The Curse Of The Damned
  8. Haunted Castle Serenade
  9. Losing The Game
  10. No Chance To Live
  • Johnny Gioeli
  • Axel Rudi Pell
  • Volker Krawczak
  • Ferdy Doernberg
  • Mike Terrana


Live Over Europe  VIDEO
2008 Steamhammer/SPV


Tales Of The Crown  
2008 Steamhammer/SPV
  1. Higher
  2. Ain't Gonna Win
  3. Angel Eyes
  4. Crossfire
  5. Touching My Soul
  6. Emotional Echoes
  7. Riding On An Arrow
  8. Tales Of The Crown
  9. Buried Alive
  10. Northern Lights
  • Johnny Gioeli
  • Axel Rudi Pell
  • Volker Krawczak
  • Ferdy Doernberg
  • Mike Terrana


Best Of - Anniversary Edition  COMPILATION
2009 Steamhammer/SPV
  1. Edge Of The World
  2. Carousel
  3. Strong As A Rock
  4. Beautiful Day
  5. Mystica
  6. Forever Angel (Acoustic Version)
  7. The Masquerade Ball
  8. Rock The Nation
  9. Oceans Of Time
  10. Tear Down The Walls
  11. Ain't Gonna Win
  12. In The Air Tonight


One Night Live  VIDEO
2010 Steamhammer/SPV


The Crest  
2010 Steamhammer/SPV
  1. Prelude Of Doom (Intro)
  2. Too Late
  3. Devil Zone
  4. Prisoner Of Love
  5. Dreaming Dead
  6. Glory Night
  7. Dark Waves Of The Sea (Oceans Of Time Pt. II: The Dark Side)
  8. Burning Rain
  9. Noblesse Oblige (Opus #5 Adagio Contabile)
  10. The End Of Our Time
  11. The Guillotine Suite (intro)
  12. Ghost In The Black
  13. Run With The Wind
  14. Before I Die
  15. Circle Of The Oath
  16. Fortunes Of War
  17. Bridges To Nowhere
  18. Lived Our Lives Before
  19. Hold On To Your Dreams
  20. World Of Confusion (The Masquerade Ball Pt. II)
  • Johnny Gioeli
  • Axel Rudi Pell
  • Volker Krawczak
  • Ferdy Doernberg
  • Mike Terrana


The Ballads IV  COMPILATION
2011 Steamhammer/SPV
  1. Where The Wild Waters Flow (new song)
  2. Holy Diver (new song)
  3. Hallelujah (new song)
  4. Northern Lights
  5. Noblesse Oblige (Opus #5 Adagio Contabile)
  6. Love Gun
  7. Glory Night
  8. In The Air Tonight
  9. Touching My Sou
  10. Like A Child Again
  11. No Chance To Live
  12. Haunted Castle Serenade (Opus #4 Grazioso E Agresso)
  13. The Curse Of The Damned


Circle Of The Oath  
2012 Steamhammer/SPV
  1. The Guillotine Suite (Intro)
  2. Ghost in the Black
  3. Run With the Wind
  4. Before I Die
  5. Circle of the Oath
  6. Fortunes of War
  7. Bridges to Nowhere
  8. Lived Our Lives Before
  9. Hold On to Your Dreams
  10. World of Confusion (The Masquerade Ball Part II)
  • Johnny Gioeli
  • Axel Rudi Pell
  • Volker Krawczak
  • Ferdy Doernberg
  • Mike Terrana


Live On Fire  LIVE
2013 Steamhammer/SPV


Into The Storm  
2014 Steamhammer/SPV
  1. The Inquisitorial Procedure
  2. Tower of Lies
  3. Long Way to Go
  4. Burning Chains
  5. When Truth Hurts
  6. Changing Times
  7. Touching Heaven
  8. High Above
  9. Hey Hey My My (Neil Young cover)
  10. Into the Storm
  • Johnny Gioeli
  • Axel Rudi Pell
  • Volker Krawczak
  • Ferdy Doernberg
  • Bobby Rondinelli
2014 Readers' Album #72



Magic Moments - 25th Anniversary Special Show  VIDEO
2015 Steamhammer/SPV


Game Of Sins  
2016 Steamhammer/SPV
  1. Lenta Fortuna (intro)
  2. Fire
  3. Sons In The Night
  4. Game Of Sins
  5. Falling Star
  6. Lost In Love
  7. The King Of Fools
  8. Till The World Says Goodbye
  9. Breaking The Rules
  10. Forever Free
  11. All Along The Watchtower (digipack bonus track)
  • Johnny Gioeli
  • Axel Rudi Pell
  • Volker Krawczak
  • Ferdy Doernberg
  • Bobby Rondinelli


The Ballads V  COMPILATION
2017 Steamhammer/SPV
  1. Love's Holding On
  2. I See Fire (Ed Sheeran cover)
  3. On the Edge of Our Time
  4. Hey Hey My My (Neil Young cover)
  5. Lived Our Lives Before
  6. When Truth Hurts
  7. Forever Free
  8. Lost in Love
  9. The Line (live)
  10. Mistreated (Deep Purple cover) (live)


Knights Call  
2018 Steamhammer/SPV
  1. The Medieval Overture (Intro)
  2. The Wild And The Young
  3. Wildest Dreams
  4. Long Live Rock
  5. The Crusaders Of Doom
  6. Truth And Lies
  7. Beyond The Light
  8. Slaves On The Run
  9. Follow The Sun
  10. Tower Of Babylon
  • Johnny Gioeli
  • Axel Rudi Pell
  • Volker Krawczak
  • Ferdy Doernberg
  • Bobby Rondinelli


XXX Anniversary Live  LIVE
2019 Steamhammer/SPV
  1. The Medieval Overture (Intro)
  2. The Wild and the Young
  3. Wildest Dreams
  4. Fool Fool
  5. Oceans of Time
  6. Only the Strong Will Survive
  7. Mystica
  8. Long Live Rock
  9. Game of Sins / Tower of Babylon
  10. The Line
  11. Warrior
  12. Edge of the World
  13. Truth and Lies
  14. Carousel
  15. The Masquerade Ball / Casbah
  16. Rock The Nation
  • Johnny Gioeli
  • Axel Rudi Pell
  • Volker Krawczak
  • Ferdy Doernberg
  • Bobby Rondinelli


Sign Of The Times  
2020 Steamhammer/SPV
  1. The Black Serenade (Intro)
  2. Gunfire
  3. Bad Reputation
  4. Sign of the Times
  5. The End of the Line
  6. As Blind as a Fool Can Be
  7. Wings of the Storm
  8. Waiting for Your Call
  9. Living in a Dream
  10. Into the Fire
  • Johnny Gioeli
  • Axel Rudi Pell
  • Volker Krawczak
  • Ferdy Doernberg
  • Bobby Rondinelli


Diamonds Unlocked II  COVERS
2021 Steamhammer/SPV
  1. Der schwarze Abt
  2. There's Only One Way to Rock (Sammy Hagar cover)
  3. Lady of the Lake (Rainbow cover)
  4. She's a Lady (Paul Anka cover)
  5. Room with a View (Tony Carey cover)
  6. Black Cat Woman (Geordie cover)
  7. Sarah (You Take My Breath Away) (Chris Norman cover)
  8. Rock n' Roll Queen (The Subways cover)
  9. Paint It Black (The Rolling Stones cover)
  10. I Put a Spell on You (Screamin' Jay Hawkins cover)
  11. Eagle (Abba cover)
  • Johnny Gioeli
  • Axel Rudi Pell
  • Volker Krawczak
  • Ferdy Doernberg
  • Bobby Rondinelli


Lost XXIII  
2022 Steamhammer/SPV
  1. Lost XXIII Prequel (Intro)
  2. Survive
  3. No Compromise
  4. Down on the Streets
  5. Gone with the Wind
  6. Freight Train
  7. Follow the Beast
  8. Fly with Me
  9. The Rise of Ankhoor
  10. Lost XXIII
  • Johnny Gioeli
  • Axel Rudi Pell
  • Volker Krawczak
  • Ferdy Doernberg
  • Bobby Rondinelli


The Ballads VI  COMPILATION
2023 Steamhammer/SPV
  1. Revelations
  2. Diamonds and Rust (Joan Baez cover)
  3. Morning Star
  4. Dust in the Wind (Kansas cover)
  5. Hidden Secrets
  6. Gone with the Wind
  7. She¿s a Lady (Paul Anka cover)
  8. Room with a View (Tony Carey cover)
  9. Fly with Me
  10. As Blind as a Fool Can Be
  11. I Put a Spell on You (Screamin' Jay Hawkins cover)
  12. Beyond the Light
  13. Quarantined 1


Risen Symbol  
2024 Steamhammer/SPV
  1. The Resurrection (Intro)
  2. Forever Strong
  3. Guardian Angel
  4. Immigrant Song
  5. Darkest Hour
  6. Ankhaia
  7. Hell's on Fire
  8. Crying in Pain
  9. Right on Track
  10. Taken by Storm
  • Johnny Gioeli
  • Axel Rudi Pell
  • Volker Krawczak
  • Ferdy Doernberg
  • Bobby Rondinelli



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