Long-running German guitarist AXEL RUDI PELL is releasing his new compilation, featuring three brand new tracks, called The Ballads IV on the following dates:

Germany: September 23rd

Europe: September 26th

USA/Canada: September 27th

The Ballads IV will be released as standard version, double gatefold LP in coloured vinyl and download through Steamhammer / SPV.

The Ballads IV tracklisting:

'Where The Wild Waters Flow' (new song)

'Holy Diver' (new song)

'Hallelujah' (new song)

'Northern Lights'

'Noblesse Oblige (Opus #5 Adagio Contabile)'

'Love Gun'

'Glory Night'

'In The Air Tonight'

'Touching My Soul'

'Like A Child Again'

'No Chance To Live'

'Haunted Castle Serenade (Opus #4 Grazioso E Agresso)'

'The Curse Of The Damned'

Listen to 'Holy Diver' at this location.

Pell describes three songs below:

'Where The Wild Waters Flow' - "My own composition in the true ARP ballad style. This song is not about love, it has a more mysterious content and it captures the long and hopeless journey of human beings trying to get away from some dark mights. One can apply this to many different thoughts and situations nowadays. I definitely think that this song is one of the strongest ballads I´ve ever written with a hookline that will stick to everyone´s ears !"

'Holy Diver' - "As everybody knows, my soul mate and friend RONNIE JAMES DIO sadly passed away last year. It was very clear to me using one of his songs to pay him tribute. It had to be a song, which was very easy recognizable as one of his tunes and therefore I picked 'Holy Diver'. Of course the original track isn´t a ballad, so I decided to re-arrange the song completely and we made a piano version out of it, featuring some Orchestra – strings, a Cello and a clean and melodic guitar solo. Johnny gave his very best vocal performance and after the track was finished, there were lots of tears in some eyes…"

'Hallelujah' - "At least one of the best ballads around. Originally written and released by LEONARD COHEN in 1984, it wasn´t his version giving me the idea to cover this tune. Actually it was all the good and bad performances of some TV casting show participants, who gave me the real kick to create one of the, hopefully, ultimate versions of this song. We recorded a children´s choir for this, which fits perfectly to Johnny's emotional and soulful voice. There are two different versions of this track: the CD album version which features a slightly wilder guitar solo and the single (and downloadable) version which features a calmer guitar solo. "

Produced and arranged by Axel Rudi Pell.

'Where The Wild Waters Flow', 'Holy Diver' and 'Hallelujah' were recorded, mixed and co-produced by Charlie Bauerfeind (HELLOWEEN) at Twilight Hall Studios, Grefrath, Germany, in May, 2011.

Children´s Choir on 'Hallelujah' recorded at the Widar School, Bochum – Wattenscheid, conducted by Dietmar Bloch.

Mastered by Ulf Horbelt at DMS Mastering Studios. Marl, Germany.

Cover illustration above by Martin McKenna.

Line-up:

Johnny Gioeli - lead and backing vocals

Axel Rudi Pell - lead, rhythm and acoustic Guitars

Ferdy Doernberg - keyboards

Volker Krawczak - bass

Mike Terrana - drums