MICHAEL SCHENKER - Temple Of Rock (2011)

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Legendary guitarist Michael Schenker is back with a new album, "Temple Of Rock", this time under his own name, leaving the MSG moniker.
After several poor releases and personal problems during the last decade, this new recording sees Schenker returning in good form.
Responsible of this are the very good back-up musicians and personnel involved to drive this new adventure into a professional path.

On Schenker words; “With 'Temple Of Rock', I am entering a new stage of my life, a new level of existence enjoying life more than ever, reaping the joy of all sorts of developments from the past.
These days I just want to go out there, play and have fun. Also, it seems to me that collectively, with true expressive makers of rock music, we have been building the external Temple Of Rock for many years and have now come to the point of putting on the roofing and celebrating the almost completion of the Temple.
All generations of this period are meeting all over the world on one stage it seems celebrating an era of "hand make rock", which will never be the same again due to invention of new technology but of course New Temples and New Wonders will arise to enjoy expressions in new ways”.

You like Michael Voss vocals or not, but the man has helped to make this material sounding cohesive and vital, not only on the arrangements, particularly on the production department. Has been passed many years since a Michael Schenker album sounded that good.
Taking a look back to Schenker classic albums of the '80s, "Temple Of Rock" includes pretty good rockin' tunes, with nice hooks and catchy choruses.
Ranging from melodious rockers such as "Miss Claustrophobia" (one of my favorites), "Fallen Angel" or "Saturday Night", to more old school harder tracks as "The End Of An Era", the great "Before The Devil Knows You're Dead" (with a welcomed Doggie White on lead vocals), or "Storming In", here is something for everyone.
Also, if you're looking for ballads, you have the bluesy "With You", and also there's room, of course, for the guitar frantics on both versions of "How Long".


In 2011 Michael celebrates his 40th jubilee as a recording artist.
And "Temple Of Rock" makes justice to his (tumultuous) career.
It is distinguished by an immense enthusiasm for guitar, including the participation of an incredible list of international superstars (check personnel).
The punchy and compelling production helps to enjoy this entertaining album, where most the tracks are good and fun to listen.
Michael Schenker and his new line up already completed a very successful UK Tour in July 2011 and a great Show at London’s High Voltage Festival being joined by surprise guests such as Rudolf Schenker, Doogie White and Jeff Scott Soto.
In October Michael Schenker will be touring the States with Leslie West and Uli Jon Roth under the name '3 Guitar Heroes'.
Good.


01 - Intro
02 - How Long
03 - Fallen Angel
04 - Hanging On
05 - The End Of An Era
06 - Miss Claustrophobia (Album Version)
07 - With You
08 - Before The Devil Knows You're Dead
09 - Storming In
10 - Scene Of Crime
11 - Saturday Night
12 - Lover's Sinfony
13 - Speed
14 - How Long (3 Generations Guitar-Battle Version)
15 - Remember (Japan Bonus Track)


Michael Schenker - Guitars
Michael Voss (Mad Max, Casanova) - Vocals
Herman Rarebell (ex Scorpions) - Drums
Pete Way (ex UFO) - Bass
Wayne Findlay (MSG) - Keyboards

Guests:
Rudolf Schenker (Scorpions) - Guitar
William Shatner (Captain Kirk from Star Trek) - Intro Vocals
Leslie West - Guitar
Doogie White - Vocals
Robin McAuley - Vocals
Don Airey - Keyboards
Chris Glenn (ex MSG) - Bass
Neil Murray (ex Whitesnake) - Bass
Paul Raymond – UFO (ex MSG)
Simon Phillips - Drums
Carmine Appice - Drums
Chris Slade (ex AC/DC) - Drums






BUY IT !
www.amazon.com/Temple-Rock-Michael-Schenker/dp/B005D6HEM8

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V.A. - Advanced Releases sampler September 1 (2011)

Legendary guitarist Michael Schenker will release his new album, "Temple Of Rock" in Europe on September 23 and in North America on October 11.
Joining Schenker on the album are vocalist Michael Voss, ex-Scorpions drummer Herman Rarebell, UFO and Waysted bassist Pete way and keyboardist Wayne Findlay.
Special guests appearing include Leslie West (Mountain), Michael Amott, Carmine Appice, Chris Slade, Doogie White and more.
The promotional single (not for sale) "Miss Claustrophobia" is the chosen advance from the new album.


Swiss hard rockers Gotthard will release a live album entitled 'Homegrown - Alive In Lugano' on September 30.
A previously unreleased track entitled "The Train", featuring the band's late singer Steve Lee on vocals, will be made available.
Steve was killed on October 5, 2010 in what has been described as a freak road accident in Nevada.
Due to Lee's sudden passing, the CD's release was postponed — until now.
"The Train" is wonderful acoustic ballad, very touching and melancholic.


In the words of Enspier; "This is a rock band on a mission, and that mission is to inspire listeners to transcend the ordinary from Australia to the other side of the globe..."
Enspier international 2010 debut release 'The Hall of Mirrors' certainly took listeners to that special place that cannot be defined in words and can only be expressed through music.
Their new 2011 recording, the single "Strange" is out now to taste the forthcoming 2nd album.


Diamond Dawn are a band that yours truly really believe in, they might be the next big thing to make it out of Sweden.
The Gothenburg band recently published their single "Standing As One", a fantastic slice of Melodic Rock / AOR in the classy tradition, with driving keyboards and soaring choruses much in the style of H.E.A.T and Houston.


Mighty dutch wizard Robby Valentine has already recorded with his mate Valensia the 3rd "V" project album entitled "Nymphopsychoschoziphonic", but it's still uncertain if the album will ever see the light of day.
Seems most of the songs has been recorded by Robby Valentine itself, and all this material will be released next year under his own moniker.
"Thinking Of You" is the exclusive advance (not for sale), 100% classic Robby Valentine.


1 - Michael Schenker - Miss Claustrophobia (3:45)
2 - Gotthard - The Train (3:46)
3 - Enspier - Strange (3:11)
4 - Diamond Dawn - Standing As One (3:38)
5 - Robby Valentine - Thinking Of You (6:26)



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MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP - By Invitation Only (2011)

UK label Store For Music is releasing a new Michael Schenker cover album: "By Invitation Only".
In fact, this is a reissue of 'Heavy Hitters' from 2005 (also known as 'Doctor Doctor: The Kulick Sessions' in the US), with the addition of extra tracks.
Each song on "By Invitation Only" was recorded with a revolving all-star cast of guest musicians and Schenker being the backbone providing guitar leads for all tracks.

A covers album is always is risk, more considering the real classics versioned here. In my opinion, most of them are successful on this recording.
The 3 'new' added tracks include Iron Maiden's "Run To The Hills", which sees Schenker reunite with Robin McAuley handling the vocals. A British classic very well done.
The second is the highlight off the disc because it is a re-recording of McAuley Schenker Group's "Save Yourself". Robin McAuley still sounds great and the pairing of Schenker / McAuley is Schenker's finest moment after leaving UFO.
The Rush song "Finding My Way" gets lots of groove with Sebastian Bach laying down solid vocals and Schenker matching the technical brilliance of Alex Lifeson.
Schenker in top form providing some great leads on "All Shook Up" with a smooth Joe Lynn Turner on vocals.
For Schenker fans it is interesting to hear Jeff Scott Soto's take on the Mogg/Schenker penned UFO classic "Doctor Doctor". Schenker's playing doesn't top the original, here lacks nerve and he should have been more inventive to make the song standout.

One of best tracks of this CD is "Blood Of The Sun", which features a great performance by veteran Leslie West on vocals. Schenker is really inspired here, with a lot of groove.
Sabbath's classic "War Pigs" has been covered a lot, but this is still a great take on it. I am not a big fan of Tim 'Ripper' Owens vocals, but he really fits on this version. Schenker playing is very good getting in the 'zone' on this one, mainly because he has time to stretch.
It is always good to hear Mark Slaughter's voice on "I'm Not Talking". Cool one.
Tommy Shaw is one of my all time vocalists, but him and Schenker fails to impress on Pink Floyd's "Money". Same with Cream's classic "Politician". Michael is not too good playing blues bars, he's simply too much shredder.
To my ears, Gary Moore's cover "Out In The Fields" is very good. Since Moore and Schenker come from the same general school of thought, I really enjoyed his take on this classic. The biggest surprise here is hearing original MSG vocalist, Gary Barden, turning in a fine performance.


I have gotten quite a bit of enjoyment out of "By Invitation Only". Have seen years ago poor reviews of the original release, but you won't find one here.
To me, this is a covers disc that doesn’t feel like one. It could be because the only constant is Michael Schenker on guitar.
Most the song choices and performances are great, with some really stellar vocal appearances and Schenker actually sounding like Schenker should be.
A very nice appetizer to the up-coming new MSG album in september.
Worth the purchase? Definitively yes.


01. Run To The Hills
Vocals: Robin McAuley
Rhythm Guitar: Pete Fletcher (PYMMY LOVE CIRCUS)
Bass: Tony Franklin (THE FIRM)
Drums: Brian Tichy (WHITESNAKE, BILLY IDOL)

02. Save Yourself
Vocals: Robin McAuley

03. Finding My Way
Vocals: Sebastian Bach

04. All Shook Up
Vocals: Joe Lynn Turner (DEEP PURPLE, RAINBOW)
Bass: Jeff Pilson (DOKKEN, DIO)
Drums: Aynsley Dunbar (WHITESNAKE, UFO)

05. Blood Of The Sun
Vocals: Leslie West (MOUNTAIN)
Bass: Rudy Sarzo (DIO, QUIET RIOT)
Drums: Simon Wright (DIO, AC/DC)

06. Doctor Doctor
Vocals: Jeff Scott Soto (TALISMAN, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN)
Bass: Marco Mendoza (SOUL SIRKUS, WHITESNAKE)
Drums: Brett Chassen (BRET MICHAELS)

07. War Pigs
Vocals: Tim "Ripper" Owens (ICED EARTH, JUDAS PRIEST)
Drums: Aynsley Dunbar
Bass: Mike Inez (OZZY OSBOURNE, ALICE IN CHAINS)

08. I'm Not Talking
Vocals: Mark Slaughter (SLAUGHTER)
Drums: Aynsley Dunbar
Bass: Jeff Pilson

09. Money
Vocals: Tommy Shaw (STYX)
Sax: Edgar Winter (EDGAR WINTER BAND)
Bass: Tony Levin (PETER GABRIEL)
Drums: Mike Baird (JOURNEY)

10. Out In The Fields
Vocals: Gary Barden (MSG)
Bass: Chuck Wright (QUIET RIOT, ALICE COOPER)
Drums: Brett Chassen

11. Hair Of The Dog
Vocals: Paul Di'Anno -IRON MAIDEN)
Bass: Phil Soussan (OZZY OSBOURNE)
Drums; Vinny Appice (BLACK SABBATH, DIO)

12. I Don't Live Today
Vocals: Sebastian Bach (ex-SKID ROW)
Drums: Eric Singer (KISS)
Bass: Tony Franklin (THE FIRM, BLUE MURDER)

13. Politician
Vocals/Bass: Jeff Pilson (DOKKEN, DIO)
Drums: Brett Chassen




BUY IT !
www.amazon.com/Invitation-Only-Michael-Schenker/dp/B004Z34NYW

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