I find this hard to say in a positive way, but I mean it as a good thing: this cd is just like his last two. I can't think of another artist except maybe Yngwie, who has stuck so closely to a formula. I suppose there is something to be said for evolving, but he writes good songs, his guitar tone and technique are fantastic and who's going to argue with Gieoli's voice? It's a good formula. Odds are, if he changed something, it wouldn't be an improvement. If he can keep cranking out good songs in the same vein, more power to him. So he might not be evolving. So what? Evolving is overrated. Queensryche evolved and look what happened to them. Axel has "honed." He has "refined." And when you're good at what you do, that's just as good. If it ain't broke, don't fix it! Keep up the good work Axel. --Scott