5 Stars
Audio CD (paid link)
A brand new album from the mad axe man Michael Schenker.
Ronnie Romero of Rainbow is the main vocalist, and he really shows his power here, more than ever before. Ronnie will also be the lead vocalist for the tour to support Universal. Then there is a marvelous rock’n’roll cast. Michael Kiske of Helloween and Ralf Scheppers of Primal Fear put in strong performances. Gary Barden also makes a welcome return to the ranks of the Universe. The drummers’ lineup is as if a who’s who: Simon Philips, having drummed with almost everyone but most notably The Who and Toto, Brian Tichy, who is also a well-traveled drummer, most notably with Whitesnake, Foreigner, and The Dead Daisies, Bobby Rondinelli, also of Rainbow fame, and Bodo Schopf of Eloy.
The bass guitar is handled by a list of legendary names. Bob Daisley of Gary Moore, Rainbow, Black Sabbath, Uriah Heep and Widowmaker, Barry Sparks of Dokken, Barend Courbois of Blind Guardian, and Zakk Wilde.
Steve Mann is indispensable to Michael Schenker as the most talented utility player, switching from keyboards and rhythm guitar and fitting in where needed. He is also an excellent rabble-rouser when the group is on stage.
Tom Carey also plays, taking a special bow on his keyboards—also ex-Rainbow; very incestuous these group , aren’t they?
The nucleus of these musicians will make up the touring group for their latest tour.
Then of course there is Michael Schenker himself in the form of his life. There have been far too many problems during his career, but for now, they all seem to be behind him. The solos and riffs on this album are as good, if not better, than anything before. Of course, the music is straight ahead rock music, nothing ground-breaking, but when you buy a Michael Schenker album, you don’t want to learn anything, just to have a darn good time. That’s what you get here. Thirteen slabs of rocking music to kick your heels up (well, there are supposedly eleven tracks on the album plus two bonus tracks. But the players keep rocking right the way through). As soon as the music starts, the first two tracks just rock. The opening riff to ‘Emergency’ could only be Schenker. The next blow is ‘Under Attack’ with its addictive hook. This is pure rock’n’roll.
Every song has a stunning guitar solo ripping through your speakers. You can feel the guitar player grinning from ear to ear as he rips into his Flying V.
There is plenty of light and shade to proceedings but kept to the confines of what Michael Schenker does best in his rock’n’roll world. All of the tunes will be killer in the live arena.
The songs keep on coming at you from ‘A King Has Gone,’ ‘Wrecking Ball,’ the call to arms of ‘London Calling’ and the mad dash through ‘Au Revoir.’ The ‘Universe’ is a classy epic adding a bit of grandeur to proceedings, whilst ‘Sad Is The Song’ adds a much darker hue, being deliberately heavy and stubborn.
As a Michael Schenker Group album it’s perfect. It’s Michael Schenker’s 64th appearance on an album in a history that includes UFO, Scorpions and multiple variations of the Michael Schenker Group. He is becoming more prolific as time goes past, not showing any sign of slowing down, which is extremely good news for all you rockers out there.
Written by Mott The Dog.
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