Michael Schenker Spirit On A Mission cd review

schenker_spirit



On March the 23rd on the In-Akustik label Michael Schenker releases his latest cd the aptly titled " Spirit On A Mission " which confirms his re emergence to rock's top table.

With a settled line up behind him which is his Temple Of Rock bandmates Francis Buchholz on bass and Herman Rarebell on drums( both ex Scorpions ),long time cohort Wayne Findlay on 7 string guitar and keyboards and ex Rainbow vocalist Doogie White this is Michael's most consistent and heaviest cd in many a long year.



Wayne Findlay, Michael Schenker & Francis Buchholz. Photo Credit: © Adam Kennedy.

The album was recorded at Kidroom Studios, Muenster, Germany; the same studio where 2013’s Bridge The Gap album was recorded. The album was produced by Michael Voss and Michael Schenker, and engineered by Voss and they have done a sonically superb job.

Opener " Live And Let Live " starts on a bluesy intro before the main riff kicks in and Herman Rarebell's double bass drives the song into a big chorus with Doogie at his melodic best. Michael's first solo shows he is back to his best with superb feel and always with that sharp melodic tone that has showed throughout his career.

" Communion " takes the pace down a little with a bluesy riff, Michael starts the song with a nice solo and also adds plenty of add lib soloing over the main riff throughout the song which builds extra textures. Catchy chorus too.

First single " Vigilante Man " kicks some serious ass from the opening riff and the rhythm team lay down a base as thick as concrete. It got heads banging on the last tour when it was debuted and the studio version does it justice. Micheal's lengthy solo over the riff is fantastic and I love the way as it nears the end it gets ever more melodic as the songs slows before the main riff and rhythm crash back in.Great ending with Micheal soloing over Doogie's chorus.



" Rock City " is a fast paced rocker led by Herman's double bass drumming where the man defies the ageing process.

" Saviour Machine " slows the pace on a lumbering riff that has a very Black Sabbath feel to it and Michael again adds soloing textures over the main riff.The mid section slows to a crawl with a very melodic structure before the main riff kicks back in and Michael solo's falls in and out.

" Something Of The Night" starts on a Flight Of The Bumble Bee style solo over Herman's double bass onslaught that continues throughout.Michael again excels with his solo picking a way over the main riff.

" All Our Yesterdays " slows the pace a little with a Zeppelin/Purple style rocker with a some keyboards adding more sonic textures.You could imagine the band playing this live as Michael again excels on the solo.



Doogie White & Michael Schenker. Photo Credit: © John Bull.

"Bulletproof " starts on Herman's short solo before another big riff crashes in on a song that could have come off an early UFO album with a bit more sonic crunch.Melodic chorus and a short acoustic guitar moment mid song before the rhythm team crash in and love the outro guitar solo over the main riff.

" Let The Devil Scream " is back to the Sabbath style riffs with a monster riff and Doogie showing off his range while Michael adds guitar melody solo's throughout over the main riff.It slows before the main chorus hook hits home and Michael's solo hits the mark again.Showing it is not all about how many notes you can play but the way they are played.

" Good Times " is a good time medium paced rocker with some nice light and shade as the main riff nips in and out before a very melodic chorus.

" Restless Heart " is back to a fast paced rocker with Herman in full flow and Doogie's chorus shines.

" Wicked " finishes the album with a chugging stop start riff that builds to a huge multi layered chorus.

" Spirit On A Mission " is a 12 track reaffirmation that Michael Schenker is back doing what he does best.

With a quality band supporting him he has rebuilt his career and for that we should all be grateful.

The title of the cd is a statement on how he should be remembered and he he has done that perfectly.




Michael Schenker. Photo Credit: © Laurence Harvey


Popular Posts from last 30 Days