German guitarist AXEL RUDI PELL's site has been updated with the following:

The mixing and the mastering of the new CD (Tales Of The Crown) are completely finished. At the moment the booklet is in the works...

From now on we will post short sound snippets from every track in the running order of the new CD; every week a new track.

Says Axel, "This is the first song on Tales Of The Crown called 'Higher' and it´s NOT a fast one.

Everybody expects the fastest track on my records to be the first... haha... but not this time. Also the album has no Intro, except from a few notes at the beginning of 'Higher'. I really like this song with a mighty guitar riff and a melodic chorus. A typical strong ARPish sounding tune... have fun!"

Check out the 'Higher'.

SPV Records recently issued the following:

With an impressive seventeen releases in 19 years, the Axel Rudi Pell band counts among the most consistent, lasting and creative acts in the whole of Europe.

Very few German guitarists can point to as long and successful a career as the musician from Bochum, whose unmistakable signature marks not only his characteristic guitar style, but also his compositional skills.

October 24th in Germany, October 27th in Europe, October 28th in US/Canada will see the arrival of his eighteenth offering, Tales Of The Crown, a haunting studio album featuring ten brand-new compositions.

“Our fans will get just the kind of songs they have come to know and expect from me and my band,” says Pell, adding, “plus a few little innovations.”

Axel Rudi Pell is referring to the contemporary touch which some of his latest tracks feature, mainly in terms of rhythm.

“But don’t worry, these modern approaches are only gradual and don’t affect the typical flair of my songs.”

Tales Of The Crown was recorded at Gelsenkirchen’s Redhouse Studios by the tried and tested line-up consisting of Axel Rudi Pell, American vocalist Johnny Gioeli, keyboardist Ferdy Doernberg, bassist Volker Krawczak and drummer Mike Terrana. The album was produced by Axel Rudi Pell and sound engineer Charlie Bauerfeind, who also mixed the ten new numbers. Like it's highly successful predecessor, the accomplished cover artwork (pictured at left, click to enlarge) was created by the Columbian artist, Felipe Machado Franco.

All those who were disappointed that the Axel Rudi Pell Band couldn’t make this year’s Wacken Open Air festival (vocalist Johnny Gioeli was unavailable due to commitments in the US) can look forward to their next tour in January/February 2009 - detailed concert dates to follow soon - and make a note in their diaries of the 20th anniversary W:O:A 2009, for which the band has already been confirmed.

Tales Of The Crown tracklisting: 'Higher', 'Ain't Gonna Win', 'Angel Eyes', 'Crossfire', 'Touching My Soul', 'Emotional Echoes', 'Riding On An Arrow', 'Tales Of The Crown', 'Buried Alive', 'Northern Lights'.