Review Summary: An enjoyable return to trademark brilliance from Pell's solo group.
Exploding into the scene off of the underground success of their 1998 CD, Oceans of Time, and the 2002 CD, Shadow Zone (both of which are undeniably important in the underground scene), Kings and Queens was released in 2004, and, to this day, became the Calm after the Storm for the band. It marked the return from the hard rock and melodic rock, back to a return of crushing metal tempos and drum work. To the wide acceptance of fans, the album still continued varied elements of Oceans of Time and Magic, but took back the metal power that conquered Nasty Reputation and Wild Obsession. It's an excellent return to the genre, and one of Pell's greatest attempts yet.
First off all, the album has a very, very haunting feel to it. Themes of religion, war, mixed in with the cataclysmic, heavy guitar riffs, pounding drums, and thumping, progressive bass lines, making it one of the best Rudi Pell albums musically. It's an album with outstanding scope, and Gioeli's voice is utterly amazing, as usual. Crush 40 and Hardline fans should be pleased: the pitches and vocal melodies in the vocalist's voice soar high and pound notes that very few music artists can reach. He can more than please aspiring vocalists. The production of the album is flawless: it's crisp and clear, the sound comes out sharp and a great amount of flare is adding to the various instruments in the background: synths, keyboards, rhythm guitars, etc. Whether it be the fast-and-blazing nature of some songs (Flyin' High), the infectious, undeniably heavy tempos (Legions of Hell, Sea of Evil, Only The Strong Will Survive), and the peaceful, more harmonic nature of some (The Gate). So the instruments are stellar and definitely a major high point for the album, and Gioeli is second to none throughout the album.
Lyrically, in terms of songwriting, the album could use some serious editing. It goes from slightly repetitive (Sometimes it seems that you're dancing with the devil / And you recognize that the price for freedom is high), to "Wait, I've heard this before" (Lucifer's breed on the run), to "Bloody hell that was bad" (I used to be your romeo / Your master of sin) and to "My life will be better if I never hear that again" (But you behave like a gambler / Playing games you can't win). Some of these lyrics can be mind-numbing and tacky. It reminds me of a root beer, for me: it tastes good all over, but there's an aftertaste that I just can't stand. The cycle repeats every time I drink one. Same thing goes for Pell's albums. This record has almost as bad of a track record for good and bad writing as Marc Storace in Krokus. Anybody remember Night of the Snakes? I still laugh everytime. (X rated scenes ahead / It's time to put the kids to bed)
Some hate to the album could be there are some really long songs here, though Pell is known for making extremely long songs, anyways, and his group still remains amazing.
Out of the four Pell albums I have listened to, Kings and Queens is probably the most enjoyable. It's got an attractive feel to it. There's some extraordinary guitar solos and riffs that pop up here and there, and the album has several interesting messages when the lyrics do pop up. Take the epic 'Only The Strong Will Survive' for example, with the intense midtempo riffs and drum work, or 'Legion of Hell''s war-themed lyrical content over an intense guitar flare and one of the heaviest tracks there (even with the acoustic fade-out solo at the end). The overzealously overrated "Forever Angel" is cheeky in its own way, humorous, and "Sea of Evil" is an 8-minute opus, a wondrously likeable epilogue. So even though Kings and Queens is still flawed in several ways, but screw me if it doesn't sound great in its own way.
Not to mention that album cover is really good-looking...
Could Black Sabbath be a major influence much?
Recommended Tracks
I thought we already went over this. Downright blissful lunacy..
