On Friday, October 9, Axel Rudi Pell’s band took the stage in Heerlen for the first time. The German rocker has been incredibly popular in Germany and the surrounding regions for decades. During the second leg of the Ghost Town Tour 2026, he graced the Nieuwe Nor concert venue with a visit. As is often the case, the audience was a nice mix of Dutch, German, and Belgian fans.
To get the crowd warmed up, Pell had brought along the guys from Night Laser. This Heavy Glam/Sleaze metal band from Hamburg is definitely up for it. Personally, I think I would have been happy to skip this opening act. Yes, the band was passionate and dressed as if they’d been transported from the ’80s to the present. Yes, the music these four guys played could have come straight from that era, but unfortunately, it was the kind of music that hasn’t stood the test of time.
On top of that, I couldn’t really call singer Benno Hankers’ vocal antics a hit either. He could have bounced around the stage a bit less and focused more on his singing, because it regularly went way off the rails. The lead singer of the headlining act, Johnny Gioeli, also jumped on stage briefly during the ballad “Heart Of The Desert Rose,” and that immediately made it painfully clear just how weak of a singer Hankers is. As far as I’m concerned, Gioeli just kicked him off the stage. Oh well, the band got a round of applause from the audience, and that’s what matters in the end.
money’s worth
The venue was packed this Friday for the guys from Axel Rudi Pell, and the audience certainly got their money’s worth from the very first moment. A powerful sound, a stunning light show, and an insanely talented singer who flies across the stage like a man possessed yet still sings with flawless precision. Mr. Pell was clearly in the zone, conjuring one delightful solo after another from his Fender Strat. The set opened with “Guillotine Walk” from their latest album, ‘Ghost Town’, followed by the rousing “Fool Fool” from ‘Black Moon Pyramid’.
turbo booster
We’re dealing with a well-oiled machine here, where every element works together seamlessly to achieve the best result. The turbo booster, however, is without a doubt singer Johnny Gioeli. This guy is simply top of the bill, whether he’s on stage with Pell or with his own top-notch band, Hardline. This man ALWAYS delivers!!!
The rest of the band, however, is also steady as a rock. Bassist Volker Krawczak has been with the band since 1989 and really knows the ropes. Keyboardist Ferdy Doernberg has been providing the necessary parts since 1997. Drummer Bobby Rondinelli, a man who already has quite a track record of his own as a band member of Rainbow, Black Sabbath, and others, has been delivering tight beats since 2013.
solo moments
And then, of course, there’s Axel Rudi Pell himself, who, as a solo artist since 1989, has conjured up no fewer than 23 studio albums, 8 ballad albums, and 5 live albums. The band has been around for more than 35 years and has built up a loyal fan base by consistently releasing solid albums. It should come as no surprise that his music and guitar playing are heavily influenced by the master Ritchie Blackmore, but that’s not really necessary—he’s simply an exceptionally talented and passionate guitarist and songwriter.
What was surprising, however, was the performance of the song “I See Fire” [originally by Ed Sheeran]. Carried by the keyboards and beautiful vocals, that was a surprising highlight for me.
Unfortunately, for my taste, there were just a few too many solo moments built into the show. A drum solo, a keyboard solo. And, oddly enough, no solo spotlight moment for the bandleader himself. That says something about a person. Let the guys have their moment; the rest of the evening is already mine.
Great entertainment
In any case, it was a top-notch evening, and it was a delight to see and hear this band live. Great entertainment, and judging by the smiling faces as people left the venue, I wasn’t the only one who felt that way. High Five for AXEL RUDI PELL!
Setlist:
Guillotine Walk
Fool Fool
Wildest Dreams
Strong As A Rock
Don’t Say Goodbye
I See Fire
Oceans Of Time
Mystica
Voodoo Nights
Carousel
Sanity
Tear Down The Walls
The Masquerade Ball/Casbah/Ankhaia
Forever Angel
Rock The Nation
Report & Images by Raymond Helebrand
