Axel Rudi Pell's 4th and last Steeler album!
David J Newman | West Hartford, CT United States | 07/24/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Don't be mistaken! There were 2 Steeler's back in the day- the one from the States with Malmsteen and Keel and then this version from Germany with Ritchie Blackmore disciple Axel Rudi Pell manning the six strings. Undercover Animal is one molten beast of a record! I mean big stadium-sized guitar riffs and glorious hooks galore make for pure gladness, start to finish! Total 1988 personification of glamrock done up the way it should be- catchy, midpaced, with the requisite ballad, "The Deeper the Night." Gotta admit I had low expectations shelling out 20+ bucks for this used import but was overjoyed when I heard what Axel and the boyz had cooked up for us before he dropped the band like a bad habit and went solo (very successfully! I might add). This particular Steeler sounds a bit confused, trying to maintain it's heavy metal swagger while trying to attain the almighty stamp of commercial approval. Apparently this confusion led to Axel's departure not so soon after writing begin for a projected fifth Steeler album. I don't blame him as the idea of party metal can only go so far before it gets trite and played out. So our German Steeler goes kapoot on what I perceive as a high note, tracks such as "(I'll Be) Hunter or Hunted," "Rely on Rock," and the title track more than adequately carrying the banner for an era most people would rather bury than celebrate!-David J Newman 2004"
Track Listings (10) - Disc #1