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Post by Admin on Nov 26, 2020 21:39:36 GMT
German guitar hero Michael Schenker will celebrate his 50th year in the rock ’n’ roll business with the release of a new Michael Schenker Group album, Immortal, in January. The first taster of what to expect from Immortal, which is set for release via Nuclear Blast on January 29, 2021, comes in the form of new MSG single Drilled To Kill, which features Schenker in an epic guitar/keyboards duel with Black Country Communion/Sons Of Apollo man Derek Sherinian, and vocals from Ralph Scheepers (Primal Fear). Immortal will also offer a treat for long-time Schenker fans with an updated version of In Search Of The Peace Of Mind, written by Schenker as a teenager and first recorded for the Scorpions debut studio album, Lonesome Crow. The new version features vocals from Ronnie Romero (Vandenberg) and MSG vets Gary Barden, Robin McAuley and Doogie White. “I wrote this song when I was 15 years old,” Schenker reveals.“It was my first ever written piece of music which I recorded with Scorpions on our first studio album Lonesome Crow in 1970, getting released in 1972. We re-recorded this song for my 50th anniversary as a celebration and it turned out to be an epic; with an extra extension at the end of the song, which turned out absolutely fantastic with (former Gary Moore/Judas Priest/Toto drummer) Simon Phil, doing his usual amazing stuff.” Immortal tracklisting: 1. Drilled To Kill 2. Don’t Die On Me Now 3. Knight Of The Dead 4. After The Rain 5. Devil's Daughter 6. Sail The Darkness 7. The Queen Of Thorns And Roses 8. Come On Over 9. Sangria Morte 10. In Search Of The Peace Of Mind
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Post by Admin on Nov 27, 2020 3:44:26 GMT
MSG is a legendary name. After two phenomenal records under the guise of Michael Schenker Fest, a true guitar hero is returning to his roots. By forming Michael Schenker Group (MSG) back in 1979, Michael Schenker laid the foundations for one of hard rock’s most glorious solo careers of all times. And while nobody expected anything less from a former guitarist for Scorpions and UFO, it’s close to impossible mentioning everything Michael has built over the past 50 years, or the countless people he influenced or played with. This, truly, is the stuff that hard rocking myths are made of.
“I never looked back,” is how Michael dryly sums up an extraordinary career. Due to this mindset, he only realised much later what a huge impact his playing had made on the world of metal and hard rock. Very few guitarists can be cited as a primary influence for the likes of James Hetfield, Kirk Hammett, Dave Mustaine, Dimebag Darrell, Slash or Kerry King. However, to understand Michael Schenker means to understand one primary thing: he’s not here to be worshipped or adored, he’s not here to get rich, he’s here to play. And at 65, he’s doing it with the same swagger, verve and dizzying artistry as always. “I’m still 16 in my head,” he laughs.
Right in time for his 40th anniversary as a solo artist and his 50th birthday as a musician, he resurrects the immortal Michael Schenker Group. Immortal is also the name of his new album, recorded by likely the strongest line-up in his long history. Its a lightning bolt of an album that sounds fresh, bloodthirsty and agile. Immortal showcases the gargantuan vocal talents of Chilean hard rock prodigy Ronnie Romero (Rainbow), backed by singers Ralf Scheepers (Primal Fear), Joe Lynn Turner (ex-Deep Purple) as well as Schenker’s brother in arms, Michael Voss (Mad Max) who again produced the record alongside Michael Schenker – flawlessly, punchy and at full steam as if their very lives depended on it.
Next to Michael Schenker caressing his iconic black and white Dean Flying V, we hear bass player Barry Sparks (Dokken), keyboard player Steve Mann as well as the three drummers Bodo Schopf, Simon Phillips (ex-Toto) and Brian Tichy (ex-Whitesnake) pumping gallons of fresh blood through the tracks. And that’s not all, keyboard wizard extraordinaire Derek Sherinian (Dream Theater, Black Country Communion) gives the listener a baptism of fire in the blistering, heavy hitting opener “Drilled To Kill”, powered by Ralf Scheepers’ unbelievable vocal tornado.
Michael Schenker doesn’t live to play, he plays to live, and there’s no better way of summing up his relationship to his music than this – now for half a century and counting. The most emblematic representation of this relationship is the monumental closing track “In Search Of The Peace Of Mind”, a new recording of the very first song he ever wrote. “I composed this track in my mother’s kitchen back when I was 15,” he looks back half a century and smiles broadly: “The solo is just so perfect, I wouldn’t change a single note even today. This is the most important song of the last 50 years for me. It’s what started it all.”
When it finally got released in 1972 on the Scorpions’ debut Lonesome Crow, Schenker had already moved on to UFO. What followed were several decades of pure hard rock ecstasy on and off stage, featuring a rotating cast of stellar players, always pressing the pedal to the metal. Now, in 2020, he reaps what he sowed. Alongside many of his peers, friends and contemporaries, he is celebrating 50 years of hard rock – fittingly with an album that is something like a zeitgeisty reminiscence of everything he’s ever done. The massive midtempo smasher “Don’t Die On Me Now” sees Joe Lynn Turner going all in, Ronnie Romero works his magic in “Knight Of The Dead” while Michael Voss cuts a grand figure before the microphone as well as behind the mixing desk on the furious second single “After The Rain”.
Towering above them all, Michael Schenker and his guitar prove they’re truly and utterly invincible. The celebrated icon pulls out all the stops – including his legendary “howler”, the fabled magnet he’s used on his fingerboard for a while now. And here’s yet another thing that’s just so archetypically Schenker, when bringing up his fiery and dedicated performance on “Immortal” he nonchalantly shrugs it off: “I simply played from the heart, as always.” This, dear Michael, is the understatement of the year – all the more so for a record that is already one of the top contenders for hard rock/metal album of the year.
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Post by Admin on Dec 13, 2020 0:04:52 GMT
MSG - After The Rain (OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO) Michael Schenker will release a new MSG (MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP) album "Immortal", on January 29, 2021 via Nuclear Blast. The album title is a perfect statement describing Schenker's legacy and to celebrate his 50th anniversary as a musician. Today, the band has released the official music video for its new power ballad "After The Rain". Schenker said: "The song 'After The Rain' was coming out of the blue. A power ballad I have never done before. Michael Voss wrote some lyrics and vocal melodies, after I had put down my musically composition on backing track for this song. The next morning, Michael Voss played me what he had sang to it, and I said, 'This is so beautiful, only you can sing this song.' And it turned out amazing." Added Voss: "This is an outstanding mellow-tuned power ballad with some unique Michael Schenker clean picking guitar style. When I first listened to Michael's rough sketches, I was singing a kinda 'lala' melody that automatically drove me into the line, 'Say have you been lonely.' From there, I felt it must deal about a sad loss and a departure of a big love... but there will be sun and light... after the rain." "Immortal" track listing: 01. Drilled To Kill 02. Don't Die On Me Now 03. Knight Of The Dead 04. After The Rain 05. Devil's Daughter 06. Sail The Darkness 07. The Queen Of Thorns And Roses 08. Come On Over 09. Sangria Morte 10. In Search Of The Peace Of Mind
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Post by Admin on Dec 28, 2020 20:57:30 GMT
Michael Schenker has paid tribute to MOUNTAIN's Leslie West, who died December 23 at the age of 75. The iconic guitarist, vocalist, songwriter and storyteller suffered cardiac arrest at his home near Daytona, Florida on December 21 and was rushed to a hospital, where he never regained consciousness.
Earlier today, Michael took to his social media to write: "My dear Lesley West
"You were my hero. What you did with your lead guitar playing was out of this world and you were the kindest man I have known. Such a lovely character with so much love.
"I am so sad that you are gone but I know that you are in a better place now. Enjoy heaven and keep me with you in spirit. I am looking forward to meet you again when my time comes. We will make heavenly music together. See you then.
"I will never forget you my hero. I am your little brother. Thank you for what you have done for me. Rest in peace my dearest friend.
"All my love to you and all my condolences to your loved ones. From the depth of my heart. I will always love you."
Weinstein was born in New York City, and first emerged in the scene as a member of THE VAGRANTS. A few years later, he and Felix Pappalardi formed MOUNTAIN, a band that was amongst the first to pioneer the genre later to become known as heavy metal. Hits that include "Mississippi Queen", "Theme From An Imaginary Western" and others established an indelible voice and guitar tone that remains legendary to this day. In 1969, West brought his presence to the stage at Woodstock.
As the decade turned, he formed WEST, BRUCE AND LAING with his bandmate from MOUNTAIN drummer Corky Laing and CREAM's Jack Bruce. In, 1971, West contributed to THE WHO's "Who's Next" sessions in the city, performances which can be heard on the 1995 and 2003 reissues of that cornerstone album.
Alongside his significant contribution to pop culture as the face of MOUNTAIN, West appeared in films that include "Family Honor" (1973) and "The Money Pit" (1986). He was a regular guest on "The Howard Stern Show", and over the course of decades remained a periodic visitor alongside enjoying a decades-long friendship with the talk show host.
West was inducted in to the Long Island Music Hall Of Fame in 2006, and appeared on dozens of other recordings from a vast universe of artists. Samples of his performances lived a secondary life on the masters of a who's who of hip-hop and rap stars.
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Post by Admin on Jan 8, 2021 21:05:44 GMT
MSG - Sail The Darkness (OFFICIAL LYRIC VIDEO)
MSG is a legendary name. After two phenomenal records under the guise of Michael Schenker Fest, a true guitar hero is returning to his roots. By forming Michael Schenker Group (MSG) back in 1979, Michael Schenker laid the foundations for one of hard rock’s most glorious solo careers of all times. And while nobody expected anything less from a former guitarist for Scorpions and UFO, it’s close to impossible mentioning everything Michael has built over the past 50 years, or the countless people he influenced or played with. This, truly, is the stuff that hard rocking myths are made of.
“I never looked back,” is how Michael dryly sums up an extraordinary career. Due to this mindset, he only realised much later what a huge impact his playing had made on the world of metal and hard rock. Very few guitarists can be cited as a primary influence for the likes of James Hetfield, Kirk Hammett, Dave Mustaine, Dimebag Darrell, Slash or Kerry King. However, to understand Michael Schenker means to understand one primary thing: he’s not here to be worshipped or adored, he’s not here to get rich, he’s here to play. And at 65, he’s doing it with the same swagger, verve and dizzying artistry as always. “I’m still 16 in my head,” he laughs.
Right in time for his 40th anniversary as a solo artist and his 50th birthday as a musician, he resurrects the immortal Michael Schenker Group. Immortal is also the name of his new album, recorded by likely the strongest line-up in his long history. Its a lightning bolt of an album that sounds fresh, bloodthirsty and agile. Immortal showcases the gargantuan vocal talents of Chilean hard rock prodigy Ronnie Romero (Rainbow), backed by singers Ralf Scheepers (Primal Fear), Joe Lynn Turner (ex-Deep Purple) as well as Schenker’s brother in arms, Michael Voss (Mad Max) who again produced the record alongside Michael Schenker – flawlessly, punchy and at full steam as if their very lives depended on it.
Next to Michael Schenker caressing his iconic black and white Dean Flying V, we hear bass player Barry Sparks (Dokken), keyboard player Steve Mann as well as the three drummers Bodo Schopf, Simon Phillips (ex-Toto) and Brian Tichy (ex-Whitesnake) pumping gallons of fresh blood through the tracks. And that’s not all, keyboard wizard extraordinaire Derek Sherinian (Dream Theater, Black Country Communion) gives the listener a baptism of fire in the blistering, heavy hitting opener “Drilled To Kill”, powered by Ralf Scheepers’ unbelievable vocal tornado.
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