Despite 'Black Moon Pyramid' trailing off towards the end, was and still is one of my favourite 'Axel Rudi Pell' albums, what I especially liked was the variety, and I was hoping 'Magic' would continue in the same vein. Well despite the classic yet predicable format (intro then eight or nine tracks), this is another excellent effort with a rich blend of rockers, mid tempo and the occasional balladsy moment. Regrettably though this would be the last album with the remarkable 'Jeff Scott Soto', thankfully he doesn't disappoint and turns in his usual flawless performance.

The customary 'Axel Rudi Pell' intro opens, this ones titled 'Swamp Castle Overture' and starts off pretty moody before changing direction into a dainty neo-classical piece. Just like 'Getting Dangerous' and 'Talk of the Gun' before it, 'Magic' kicks off with a superb brisk paced rocker, this time around it's 'Nightmare', a glorious cut brimming with 'Axel's' shredding fret work, smooth but powerful 'Soto' vocals and furious rhythm work. Even better in my humble opinion is the pulsating jewel 'Playing with Fire', another energetic affair this time laced with a sublime chorus, that while intense is extremely catchy, 'Soto' and 'Pell' are again on stellar form. The tempo falls for the epic title track 'Magic' which fails to disappoint despite exceeding nine minutes, 'Axel' displays some magnificent fret work which definitely has shades of 'Blackmore's' finest, as always he is well supported throughout. More straight forward is the energetic 'Turned to Stone' a very respectable rocker well within the classic, brisk tempo 'Axel Rudi Pell' mould. The pace falls for the second epic 'The Clown is Dead' and don't get me wrong this is a fine track, but it's far too long, this song would have worked with five minutes shaved off, other than that, 'Soto' puts in a impeccable performance. It's back to the heavier material with 'Prisoners of the Sea' a pretty standard but enjoyable drum and bass fuelled rocker, sporting decent lyrics and some lightening axe solos. The strong run continues with 'Light in the Sky' another track where the 'Pell / Soto' partnership shines, 'Axel's' guitaring is stunning throughout while, 'Jeff's' vocals are sharp and potent. The album closes with the ballad 'The Eyes of the Lost', not one of my personal favourites, but it's very passionately executed, with fine acoustic work and great heartfelt vocals- too long at seven minutes though.

'Magic' is yet another excellent release for 'Axel', but doesn't in my opinion surpass the superb predecessor 'Black Moon Pyramid'. It's a real shame that we won't see the 'Soto' / 'Pell' formula again, but his departure left the door open for the equally impressive 'Johnny Gioeli' who debuts on 'Oceans of Time'.