The tenth studio album by Axel and Co is a consistent continuation of the success formula of Bochumers. With proven team Axel has an album without surprises, but also fabricated without failures. Again, there is a mandatory, mystical intro that pretty fantasy artwork and the songs sizzle rocking and soft. Unfortunately, Axel (again) not a steam hammer like "Magic" times on the album, but almost only midtempo songs with sometimes subtle, snappy bursts. In earlier publications were also more hits that have ignited directly. This time I needed several tries to earwigs to discover. Axel Rudi Pell never leaves his beaten path and ventured closer to any experiments, which is a bit fussy and predictable on the one hand, well, on the other side. None of the ten tracks on "Kings And Queens" is bad, for me they are not as ingenious as old songs that have touched but a more emotionally and where the chorus has packed a. Negative example of the album is the album "Hard As A Rock", which I would rather any Ami 80s AOR bands have expected. The ballad "Forever Angel" and "Sea Of Evil" are nice, but unfortunately, with about eight minutes a bit too long, which is reflected for example in "Forever Angel" very noticeable, because the refrain is repeated ad nauseam. Since gods singer Johnny Gioeli can save anything. This should be more of Axel times a leash, so that he can present his killer's voice better. Johnny acts temporarily like he braked. Positive are the meaner and crisper songs like "Cold Heaven", the mystical light "Legions Of Hell", the quasi-title song "Take The Crown" or Gröler "Only The Strong Survive". These tracks are for me a little away from classics like "Nasty Reputation" or "Carousel", but kindle it directly. The loud label "Purple Dio meets-Sabbath plus Hendrix" piece "Sailing Away" is also a song cream, but because of two other ballads can not get something to contribute, which is why it would have been better 'ne ballad against a Double Bass swap -Kracher. Finally Axel Mike Terrana has a drummer who's probably pretty challenged or perhaps slowed here? Just as keyboardist Ferdy Doernberg who sometimes even could put more splashes of color. So that no one get me wrong: The average songs were many bands highlights, but with such a back catalog have to be measured as a band at the strongest songs.
