announce new studio album “Universal”, to be released on May, 27th 2022
There are few rock guitarists on this planet who have had such a lasting influence on so many renowned musicians as Michael Schenker. With his outstandingly fluid style, inexhaustible wealth of ideas and instinctive feel for hooks and melodies, Michael Schenker is a living legend who, despite his longstanding and distinguished history, still impresses with his unflagging energy and drive. The blond stringsman from Sarstedt (Germany) began his international career in the early 1970s with the Scorpions, achieved worldwide fame after joining British rock group U.F.O. and then seamlessly continued his exceptional global success story under his own name, as well as with acts such as Michael Schenker Group (MSG for short), Temple Of Rock and Michael Schenker Fest. Schenker and his career, which has spanned more than fifty years, are absolute exceptions in the otherwise short-lived music industry.
Now his latest MSG album is about to be unleashed, scheduled for release on Atomic Fire Records on 27 May 2022 under the programmatic moniker of “Universal”. His latest offering will feature all the strengths of this exceptional musician: first-rate songs with anthemic melodies, catchy guitar riffs and inspiring solos. As we have come to expect from him, Schenker has once again enlisted a number of prestigious fellow musicians for the recording of his new studio production, among them, as main vocalist, Ronnie Romero (Rainbow, Vandenberg), who will also be MSG’s frontman on their upcoming tour, Michael Kiske (Helloween) and Ralf Scheepers (Primal Fear), keyboard player Steve Mann (Lionheart), drummers Simon Phillips (Toto, The Who), Brian Tichy (Whitesnake, Foreigner), Bobby Rondinelli (Rainbow) and Bodo Schopf (Eloy), as well as legendary bassists Bob Daisley (Black Sabbath), Barry Sparks (Malmsteen, Dokken) and Barend Courbois (Blind Guardian, Zakk Wylde), with Tony Carey as a very special guest. But more about that later.
First, let’s talk about the basic parameters of the new recording: Like its predecessor “Immortal” (2021) and the Michael Schenker Fest albums “Resurrection” (2018) and “Revelation” (2019), “Universal” was produced by Michael Schenker and Michael Voss (Lessmann/Voss, Mad Max) at Voss’s Kidroom Studio, which has become something of a creative home-away-from-home for Schenker. “Michael Voss is happy to wait until I have worked out an idea and takes the time to really get to know the song, simultaneously developing ideas for the vocals,” Schenker describes the fruitful collaboration which has one cog intermesh with the other. “Then we work out the drums, bass and some keyboard parts together. He always has plenty of great ideas up his sleeve.” Compositional highlights abound on “Universal”, from the haunting opener ‘Emergency’ and the subsequent ‘Under Attack’ with its casually driving groove to ‘The Universe’, featuring an atmospheric duet by Ronnie Romero and Gary Barden, ‘Wrecking Ball’, performed as brilliantly as ever by Ralf Scheepers, and ‘London Calling’ with its homage to the British capital’s musical spirit.
The rock anthem ‘A King Has Gone’ and its intro ‘Calling Baal’ both have a special significance: The track, sung by Helloween frontman Michael Kiske, is a tribute to the immortal Ronnie James Dio, in particular to his performance on the 1976 hard rock classic Rainbow Rising. For this reason, Schenker has brought together an original Rainbow rhythm section consisting of Bobby Rondinelli and Bob Daisley, additionally enlisting keyboardist Tony Carey, who also played on Rainbow Rising, for a terrific Moog synth intro – a direct reference to the iconic intro of the 1976 album opener ‘Tarot Woman’. The impressive result ‘Calling Baal’/‘A King Has Gone’ is already considered to be one of the most important and successful songs in Schenker’s career to date, both musically and lyrically.
In line with all these highlights, the spectacular album cover designed by Zsofia Dankova (Powerwolf, among others) features Schenker in a futuristic spaceship, floating high up in orbit. The artwork is based on the guitarist’s own visions: “I had the original idea for the album cover a few years ago, but only now does it seem to fit perfectly. So I sent some older sketches to my label Atomic Fire Records, and based on this the final artwork and album title were created.”
No doubt about it: The title, artwork and new songs suit MSG as perfectly as his characteristic Flying V suits Michael Schenker!
MSG TOUR 2022
Michael Schenker * Ronnie Romero * Steve Mann * Barend Courbois * Bodo Schopf
27.04.2022 FI – Helsinki, Vanha Yo-talo
29.04.2022 SE – Stockholm, Fryshuset Klubben
30.04.2022 NO – Oslo, Vulkan Arena
01.05.2022 DK – Kopenhagen, Amager Bio
03.05.2022 NL – Zoetermeer, De Boerderij
04.05.2022 GER – Bochum, Zeche
05.05.2022 CH – Pratteln, Z7
06.05.2022 GER – Speyer, Halle 101
07.05.2022 FR – Cleon, La Traverse
10.05.2022 ES – Madrid, La Riviera
11.05.2022 ES – Barcelona, Razzmatazz 1
12.05.2022 ES – Pamplona, Totem
14.05.2022 IT – Fontaneto d’Agogna (NO), Phenomenon
We are pleased to announce the continuation of our current 50th anniversary World Tour with 14-date European leg. Our journey begins in Helsinki, Finland, on April 27th, 2022, and closes in Rome, Italy, on May 15th. The MSG lineup, led by Schenker, will be completed by vocalist Ronnie Romero, guitarist/keyboardist Steve Mann, bassist Barend Courbois, and drummer Bodo Schopf. The setlist will include tracks from our latest album “Immortal” alongside a variety of classics from Schenker’s successful career. A special support guest is yet to be announced, but you can’t miss this special celebration!
Here are a few impressions of our first rehearsals in the UK with our new man on bass Barend Courbois, we had a lot of fun and you can look forward to merciless rocking concerts in England.
Thank you Sorin for the great pictures.
28/10/21 Leeds UK
29/10/21 Newcastle upon Tyne UK
10/30/21 Wolverhampton UK
10/31/21 London UK
Michael Schenker Group has released a lyric video for their first single “Drilled to Kill”; a heavy up-tempo track which is also the opening song of “Immortal”.
The track features the legendary
Primal Fear
singer Ralf Scheepers on vocals, whilst Michael Schenker and keyboardist Derek Sherinian (
Black Country Communion
etc.) engage in an exciting battle of guitar vs. keyboard.
Michael Schenker brand new MSG album, “Immortal”, will be released via
Nuclear Blast
on January 29th, 2021. The album title is a perfect statement describing Michael Schenker’s legacy and to celebrate his 50th anniversary as a musician.
The artwork for the brand new MSG album “Immortal” is now revealed!
To be released by Nuclear Blast on January 8th, 2021, “Immortal” features a constellation of rock stars alongside guitar legend Michael Schenker.
„We have a lot of guest musicians, who will undoubtedly help to make the album an exceptional success“, says Michael Schenker. He also adds: „First of all I want to say that I am very grateful to any musicians that have helped to create a fitting tribute to my long career on this special release. I want to thank all of them for their incredible contribution.“
Michael Schenker is currently in the final stages of recording a brand new MSG album, which is set to be released on
Nuclear Blast
on January 8th, 2021. The album title will be “Immortal“, a perfect statement to describe Michael Schenker’s legacy and to celebrate his 50th anniversary as a musician.
“Immortal” will feature a big list of friends and guests, including the the album’s main vocalist Ronnie Romero (Rainbow, Lords of Black), alongside Michael Voss (Mad Max), Ralf Scheepers (Primal Fear) and Joe Lynn Turner (ex-Deep Purple, Rainbow) singing on two tracks each. The new album line-up includes Steve Mann on keyboards, Barry Sparks (Dokken) on bass, three drummers Bodo Schopf, Simon Philipps (ex-Toto) and Brian Tichy (ex-Whitesnake), as well as the brilliance of the man himself, Michael Schenker, on guitars. Guests also include keyboard virtuoso Derek Sherinian on the opening track.
This super team recorded ten tracks, including the magnum opus “In Search Of The Peace Of Mind”, the first song ever written by Michael Schenker and previously recorded on Scorpions’ debut “Lonesome Crow”. The song was recorded to celebrate Michael’s 50th anniversary and features even more surprises, with singers Gary Barden, Doogie White, Robin McAuley and drummer Simon Phillips joining in this epic celebration.
The limited first edition of this upcoming MSG album will feature another unique extra: a Blu-ray of Michael Schenker Fest performance recorded during their headline show at
Bang Your Head Festival
two years ago.
We are so sorry but our Michael Schenker Fest shows in Tokyo and Osaka next week had to be called off just this morning due to concerns about the Coronavirus. This is a bitter blow for us because we had all put so much work into this and because we really did not want to let all our Japanese friends down during these tough times. We wanted so much to bring you some rock n roll good cheer but this crisis is out of our control and there is nothing else we can do. We do of course understand why these measures must be taken and if this action helps to prevent the spread of this rampant virus then that is, ultimately, the correct thing to do and we support it. The world needs to work together against the virus and maybe we can learn something from all of this going forward.
50 YEARS OF CLASS! Michael Schenker is proud to announce his Golden Anniversary in music, commencing with the exciting news that Michael Schenker Fest will be playing four shows across the UK in April 2020. The tour is dubbed the ‘Revelation Tour’, so named after Michael’s killer new record released by Nuclear Blast.
Michael commented: “Michael Schenker Fest will be touring the UK to promote the brand new studio album ‘Revelation’ in April 2020, as well as celebrating 50 years of Michael Schenker. We will have a fresh set list and there could even be some extra special guests!”
16.04.2020 – Wolverhampton, KK’S Steel Mill – Live Music
17.04.2020 – Newcastle, O2 City Hall Newcastle
18.04.2020 – Leeds, O2 Academy Leeds
19.04.2020 – London, O2 Shepherds Bush Empire
MICHAEL SCHENKER FEST featuring:
Michael Schenker, Gary Barden , Robin Mc Auley, Doogie White, Chris Glen (Bass), Steve Mann (Guitar/Keys), Bodo Schopf (Drums).
Legendary German guitarist Michael Schenker‘s MICHAEL SCHENKER FEST project will release its second studio album, “Revelation”, on September 20 through Nuclear Blast. The disc was produced by Michael Schenker and Michael Voss and was recorded and mixed by Voss at Kidpool Studio Greven & Kidwood Studio in Münstertal, Germany between December 2018 and March 2019.
Revelation” will be released on a variety of different formats and is ready for pre-order now. It will be available as CD-digipak, 2LP (different colors) as well as a limited box set including CD-digipak, 2LP (red+black splatter), puzzle, poster 60×30, photo cards.
01. Rock Steady
02. Under A Blood Red Sky
03. Silent Again
04. Sleeping With The Light On
05. The Beast In The Shadows
06. Behind The Smile
07. Crazy Daze
08. Lead You Astray
09. We Are The Voice
10. Headed For The Sun
11. Old Man
12. Still In The Fight
13. AscensionBonus:
14. Armed And Ready (live)
15. Bad Boys (live)
16. Rock Bottom (live)
And so the Michael Schenker Fest Resurrection Tour part 2 comes to an end. This entire team has effectively been a “surrogate” family for the last 6 weeks, but every single man (and Sarah!) has done a fantastic job in keeping the Schenker Fest machine well-oiled and firing on all cylinders. The biggest thanks, as always, go to all of you who came out and supported us and experienced a show of nearly 3 hours of pure ROCK! Those who came will know just how much fun we have on stage, and how each and every show was essentially one big musical party together with the audience. To all of you who preferred to watch little bits on YouTube instead of experiencing the live show – you’ll never know what you missed.. and to be honest, if you haven’t seen Michael Schenker playing live, you haven’t seen Michael Schenker. See you all again soon and Keep On Rockin’!!
And that’s the end of the Resurrection tour for North America! Thanks to everyone who came to show support and the venues for taking care of us. Plus, of course, the band and hard working crew for putting in the dedication to make this possible.
Here’s the North American 2019 class photo, what a fine bunch of individuals
Don’t forget, North America… Michael Schenker Fest are returning and we’re kicking off our US tour on April 15th! Tickets are on sale now. Grab yours today and we’ll see you on the road! www.michaelschenkerhimself.com/tour.php
We are proud to announce a Michael Schenker Fest North American tour, which will also feature a fourth vocalist – Doogie White!
MICHAEL SCHENKER FEST
featuring 3 original M.S.G. singers Gary Barden, Graham Bonnet and Robin McAuley plus Doogie White (MICHAEL SCHENKER’S TEMPLE OF ROCK)
03/06 USA Silver Springs, MD – The Fillmore
03/07 USA Pittsburgh, PA – Carnegie Music Hall
03/09 USA Boston, MA – Berklee Performance Center
03/10 USA New York, NY – Irving Plaza
03/11 USA Philadelphia, PA – Theatre of Living Arts
03/12 CDN Montreal, QC – Club Soda
03/14 USA Detroit, MI – Royal Oak Music Theatre
03/16 USA Cleveland, OH – Agora Theatre
03/17 USA Chicago, IL – Concord Music Hall
03/18 USA Milwaukee, WI – Pabst Theater
03/19 USA Minneapolis, MN – Cabooze
03/22 USA Seattle, WA – Neptune Theatre
03/24 USA San Jose, CA – Events Center
03/25 USA Anaheim, CA – The Grove
03/26 USA Phoenix, AZ – Marquee Theatre
03/27 USA Las Vegas, NV – House of Blues
03/29 USA Denver, CO – Cervantes Ballroom
03/31 USA San Antonio, TX – Vibes Event Center
04/01 USA Dallas, TX – Bomb Factory
04/03 USA Tampa, FL – The Ritz
Tickets on sale 7th July.
. Play It Loud!
