Much like AC/DC, throughout his lengthy career, German guitarist Axel Rudi Pell has delivered consistent albums, never veering to far afield of his trademark sound. Inspired by Ritchie Blackmore (down to demeanor, guitar choice/color), the Teutonic shredder composes quality hard rock, backed by one of the greatest (albeit sadly overlooked and under appreciated) vocalists in rock/metal, New Yorker (ex-Hardline) Johnny Gioeli, with Pell since ’97.

After a symphonic intro, they settle into ‘Too Late’, one of those upbeat numbers the Strat Master seems capable of writing in his sleep. Unfortunately, along with ‘Prisoner Of Love’ it’s one of the few examples on "The Crest". Elsewhere, ‘Devil Zone’ begins with acoustic guitar and orchestral strings, while piano kicks off the ‘Glory Night’ ballad. A slower ‘Dreaming Dead’ gives the maestro a chance to solo (most of the final four minutes or so). Same with ‘Dark Waves Of The Sea’ and ‘Noblesse Oblige’ is a short instrumental, Pell accompanied by piano and synthesized strings.

Overall, in a word, pensive, a darker, more moody disc devoid of goodtime rockers like ‘Fool Fool’, ‘Carousel’ or ‘Masquerade Ball’. Other than that omission, nothing surprising, except how quality continues to be ignored! Damn.