'Live in Germany' (Hamburg to be exact) is the first live album for 'Axel Rudi Pell' and features the same impressive line-up that recorded 'Eternal Prisoner', 'Between the Walls' and the subsequent 'Black Moon Pyramid'. The track selection is interesting in there are only 8 songs, including a drawn-out cover of 'Mistreated', however the surprise inclusion is the previously unreleased 'Fire on the Mountain' which makes for a very nice addition. Performance wise this is a very honest account of the band with no overdubs, "Authentic live album" as it's referred to on the packaging, regrettably though the recording and production are lacking compared to modern benchmark live albums and ultimately this does take the edge off a potentially excellent release.

Opening strongly is a brisk and raw run-through of the classy rocker 'Talk of the Gun', the guitar fuelled intro is splendid and while it sticks closely to the original, an impressive start. Ensuing strongly is the title track from the second album 'Nasty Reputation' and despite 'Jeff Scott Soto's' inconsistency in the mix, he does a fine job and is backed up by some stringent instrumentation. Next up is a cover of the 'Purple' and 'Rainbow' classic 'Mistreated', great you say? Well this is a fine rendition but does it really need to clock in at nearly 15 minutes, far too long- I'll stick to 'Dio's' live versions myself. Much briefer and dare I say better is the lively rocker 'Warrior', my favourite track from 'Between the Walls' and this live working fails to disappoint. The tempo falls for a powerful run-through of 'Snake Eyes' which originally featured on 'Axel's' debut, 'Soto' works the lyrics remarkably well, while 'Axel's' guitaring is exacting and precise. After subtle beginnings (gets a bit lost in the recording) 'Casbah' builds into a potent plodder, which in turn slips into 'Eternal Prisoner', not quite sure this part comes off so well, 'Julie Greaux's' backing vocals don't quite hit the spot, that said as a whole it all comes together pretty well. The guitar virtuosity really comes into its own as 'Axel' plays a section of the well worn 'Greensleeves', before thundering into one of my personal favourites the blazing 'Call Her Princess'. I don't think this rendition quite equals the original but still a good brisk rendition, less striking though is the guitar Vs keyboard duelling, which comes off weak in my opinion. The album closes on a high note with the previously unreleased 'Fire on the Mountain' which is on-a-par with 'Axel's' finest and is reminiscent of work from the following album 'Black Moon Pyramid'. Musically this riff and rhythm driven chugger is impressive, lyrically it's basic but catchy and hard hitting, 'Axel' gets in a splendid 'Blackmoresque' solo, while 'Soto's' delivery is as always flawless- love to hear a studio version.

If you can overlook the relatively poor sound, then this is a good release that I'm sure most fans will enjoy, in all honesty I would opt for the superior 2002 release 'Knights Live', which has more content and a better production, but don't discount this.