Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

XS ROCK

Hard Rock & Metal

MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP (MSG) Announces New Studio Album, Universal

MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP (MSG) Announces New Studio Album, Universal

There are few rock guitarists on this planet who’ve 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 (otherwise known as MSG), Temple Of Rock, and MICHAEL SCHENKER Fest. SCHENKER and his career, which has spanned more than five decades, 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 May 27th 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 (Yngwie 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 of 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 MSG 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! Stand by for more from MSG in the weeks to come.

http://www.michaelSCHENKERhimself.com

http://www.facebook.com/MichaelSCHENKERRocks

http://www.instagram.com/michaelSCHENKERrocks

http://www.twitter.com/MWSCHENKER

http://label.atomicfire-records.com/project/michael-SCHENKER

http://www.facebook.com/atomicfirerecords

http://www.instagram.com/atomicfirerecords

http://www.twitter.com/atomicfirerec

You May Also Like

Featured Articles

During the 80’s hard rock ruled the airwaves. Quiet Riot’s Metal Health became the first #1 metal album of all time. Soon after the...

Featured Articles

For every Motley Crue, Def Leppard, and Van Halen, There were many other bands that were really good, but somehow didn’t quite make it...

80s Heavy Metal

The 1980s hard rock and metal scene is widely known as a generation of excess and a lot of over-the-top imagery. In fact, most...

Hard Rock & Metal

Recently, I received an advanced release for Josh Todd & The Conflict’s debut album, “Year Of The Tiger”. Most of you probably know Josh...

Hard Rock & Metal

Formed in 1982 by Tom Keifer and Eric Brittingham, Cinderella was one of the biggest bands of the ’80s rock and metal era.  Following several...

Christian Rock & Metal

01. Stryper-Stryper has to be at the top of this list. Not because I think they’re the best, but because their contribution to Christian...

Hard Rock & Metal

Britny Fox was formed in 1985 with “Dizzy” Dean Davidson on vocals, former Cinderella drummer Tony Destra, former Cinderella guitarist Michael Kelly Smith and...

80s Heavy Metal

The 1980s and early 90s saw hard rock and heavy metal go mainstream and reach a large audience worldwide. The genre was split into...

80s Heavy Metal

The 1980s were an awesome time thanks to the glam/hair metal scene. The image almost became as important as the music during this period,...

80s Heavy Metal News

Iron Maiden Singer Bruce Dickinson Announces New Solo Album 'The Mandrake Project'

80s Heavy Metal

Iron Maiden vocalist Bruce Dickinson has released a new video for the first single from his upcoming new solo album called “Afterglow Of Ragnarok”....

Watch First Video From New Skid Row Album "The Gang's All Here" Watch First Video From New Skid Row Album "The Gang's All Here"

80s Heavy Metal

Skid Row has released their new official video for the song “Resurrected” from their album “The Gang’s All Here”. The album is the first...

Watch First Judas Priest Video "Trial By Fire' From New Album Watch First Judas Priest Video "Trial By Fire' From New Album

80s Heavy Metal

Judas Priest have released their first official video from their upcoming new album Invincible Shield for the song “Trial By Fire”. Invincible Shield is...

ZAKK SABBATH announce new double album "Doomed Forever Forever Doomed" ZAKK SABBATH announce new double album "Doomed Forever Forever Doomed"

80s Heavy Metal

ZAKK SABBATH are back with an even more massive dose of pure BLACK SABBATH worship! Celebrating more than 50 years of Birmingham ‘s most famous...

Listen To Brand New Ace Frehley Song "10,000 Volts" Listen To Brand New Ace Frehley Song "10,000 Volts"

80s Heavy Metal

Ace Frehley, former and original KISS guitarist will return with a brand new album called “10,000 Volts” on February 23, 2024. You can listen...

Eric Martin Band Gets 40th Anniversary Album Release featuring members of Mr. Big, Tesla and Y & T Eric Martin Band Gets 40th Anniversary Album Release featuring members of Mr. Big, Tesla and Y & T

80s Heavy Metal

Eric Martin Band – Sucker For A Pretty Face – Original Sessions Tracklist: 1.    Sucker For A Pretty Face 2.    Don’t Stop 3.    Private Life 4.    Letting It...

Hard Rock & Metal News

Watch Brand New P.O.D. Video For 'Afraid To Die' (Featuring Jinjer Vocalist Tatiana Shmayluk)

Christian Rock & Metal

P.O.D. “Payable On Death: has released their brand new video for the song “Afraid To Die” from their upcoming new album. @pod “If the...

The Top 20 Hard Rock And Metal Albums Of 2023 The Top 20 Hard Rock And Metal Albums Of 2023

Featured Articles

2023 had some really good hard rock and metal albums released if you know where to look and listen. The hard rock and metal...

Watch The Video For "Numidian Knowledge" By Necrowretch Watch The Video For "Numidian Knowledge" By Necrowretch

Hard Rock & Metal

There’s black metal. There’s death metal. And then, there’s NECROWRETCH. The French band combine the best of both worlds into music made straight from...

Sammy Hagar, Michael Anthony, Satriani, And Bonham Announce Van Halen Tribute Tour Sammy Hagar, Michael Anthony, Satriani, And Bonham Announce Van Halen Tribute Tour

80s Heavy Metal

The Van Halen News Desk received an exclusive quote from David Lee Roth regarding Sammy Hagar’s invitation to join the “Best of All Worlds”...

Watch Brand New Video For "Thicker Than Blood" By Extreme Watch Brand New Video For "Thicker Than Blood" By Extreme

80s Heavy Metal

“With “Thicker Than Blood” we wanted to shoot a video that celebrates the 5th and most important member of the band. Our fans. So...

Watch Video for Hell, Fire And damnation From Saxon's New Album Watch Video for Hell, Fire And damnation From Saxon's New Album

80s Heavy Metal

When internationally-renowned actor Brian Blessed OBE delivers a proclamation for the opening track, “The Prophecy”, expectations are automatically high for Saxon’s latest album. Have...

XS ROCK Featured Articles

45 Christian Heavy Metal Bands From The 80s And 90s That You Should Hear

80s Heavy Metal

Angelica Attempting to hit on the sound of guitar slingers like Van Halen and George Lynch, Angelica went for a more glam-sounding singer, similar...

20 Albums Released In 2023 That 80s Metal Fans Should Hear 20 Albums Released In 2023 That 80s Metal Fans Should Hear

80s Heavy Metal

Each year, it seems that the remaining 80s hard rock and metal bands that are still putting out new music seem to get smaller...

Check Out These 80s Metal And Hard Rock Stars' Real Names Check Out These 80s Metal And Hard Rock Stars' Real Names

80s Heavy Metal

Check out these 80’s Hard Rock And Metal Stars’ Real Names! Some of these names are well known to fans, while others might find...

Who Were The Top 15 Most-Glam Mainstream Metal Bands Of The 80s? Who Were The Top 15 Most-Glam Mainstream Metal Bands Of The 80s?

80s Heavy Metal

The 80s were the decade of excess and musically that was absolutely true as well. The hard rock and heavy metal musical landscape exploded...

Who Were The Best Straight Up, No Frills Hard Rock And Metal Bands Of The 80s? Who Were The Best Straight Up, No Frills Hard Rock And Metal Bands Of The 80s?

80s Heavy Metal

The 1980s hard rock and metal scene is widely known as a generation of excess and a lot of over-the-top imagery. In fact, most...

80s Heavy Metal

The 1980s were an awesome time thanks to the glam/hair metal scene. The image almost became as important as the music during this period,...

80s Rock & Pop

80s Pop Icon Tiffany releases new single “Angels All Around”

80s Rock & Pop

Just in time for the Holidays Tiffany is set to release the new single “Angels All Around” and the Limited Edition NEW Shadows cover....

Daryl Hall Gets Restraining Order Against John Oates Daryl Hall Gets Restraining Order Against John Oates

80s Rock & Pop

There’s big drama in the Hall & Oates camp as an ongoing legal battle between Daryl Hall and John Oates continues with Hall gaining...

Missing Persons - A Night In San Francisco Album Review Missing Persons - A Night In San Francisco Album Review

80s Rock & Pop

Dale Bozzio and The Missing Persons are one of my favorite new wave bands from the 80s and still get heavy rotation in my...

The Top 10 Sexiest Music Videos Of The 80s The Top 10 Sexiest Music Videos Of The 80s

80s Music Video Of The Day

The 1980s saw the invention of the music video thanks to MTV and it wasn’t long after that many of the videos started using...

Watch Brand New Video By Bananarama For "Feel The Love" Watch Brand New Video By Bananarama For "Feel The Love"

80s Rock & Pop

Banarama have released their brand new video for the song “Feel The Love” from their upcoming album ‘Glorious-The Ultimate Collection’ Glorious – The Ultimate...

80s Music Video Of The Day: Tone Loc-Wild Thing 80s Music Video Of The Day: Tone Loc-Wild Thing

80s Music Video Of The Day

From the album Loced After Dark, “Wild Thing” was released in January of 1989. The video was made on a shoestring budget but garnered...

Alternative-Punk-Electronic

Co-Founder Of The Dictators, Scott Kempner Dead At 69

Alternative / Punk

The guitarist and co-founder of The Dictators Scott “Top Ten” Kempner has died at age 69 from complications of dementia. He would also co-found...

Shane MacGowan, Pogues Singer Dead At 65 Shane MacGowan, Pogues Singer Dead At 65

Alternative / Punk

Pogues singer Shane MacGowan has died after a lengthy stay in ICU for an infection. A statement on behalf of Shane MacGowan’s wife Victoria...

Controlled Bleeding's Entire Discography On Bandcamp Free This Week! Controlled Bleeding's Entire Discography On Bandcamp Free This Week!

Alternative / Punk

Controlled Bleeding has announced the following: The entire Controlled Bleeding digital discography is FREE on Bandcamp for Cyber week starting today!! controlledbleeding.bandcamp.com To claim...

Alternative / Punk

Kevin “Geordie” Walker reportedly suffered a massive stroke on Friday, November 24th, and passed away on Sunday, November 26th. Killing Joke released their first...

Punk legends T.S.O.L. release soundtrack to documentary film IGNORE HEROES Punk legends T.S.O.L. release soundtrack to documentary film IGNORE HEROES

Alternative / Punk

IGNORE HEROES tells the story of the original T.S.O.L. through interviews with the surviving members and those who were there with them in the...

GENE LOVES JEZEBEL Announce New Album, Share First Single! GENE LOVES JEZEBEL Announce New Album, Share First Single!

Alternative / Punk

Brooding ethereal rock visionaries Gene Loves Jezebel have returned with a brand new studio album, X – Love Death Sorrow, set for release on...

Rock News

The Unknown (Big Dreams) - Pure AOR Magic from the 80’s sees a release via FnA Records

Rock

The Unknown was formed smack dab in the sweet spot OF MELODIC ROCK/AOR music, in 1987.  A mainstay on Florida’s west coast, the truly...

Gene Simmons Announces He Will No Longer Be Posting On X (formerly Twitter) Gene Simmons Announces He Will No Longer Be Posting On X (formerly Twitter)

80s Heavy Metal

KISS frontman and bassist Gene Simmons has posted the following on the X social media platform that was formerly known as Twitter: Friends, I’ve...

The Rolling Stones & Lady Gaga Perform Sweet Sounds Of Heaven (Live In NYC) The Rolling Stones & Lady Gaga Perform Sweet Sounds Of Heaven (Live In NYC)

Rock

Watch the full live performance of the brand new track Sweet Sounds of Heaven from the Rolling Stones, ft. Lady Gaga  Mick Jagger: Lead...

Hard Rock & Metal

KISS has announced the final concert of their End Of The Road Tour and their final live concert ever. The show ends on December...

Jethro Tull launch video for ‘Wolf Unchained’ Jethro Tull launch video for ‘Wolf Unchained’

Rock

Jethro Tull released their 23rd studio album, ‘RökFlöte’, back in April, and the band are currently out on tour in North America. For this run of...

Toto Announces North America Tour Dates Toto Announces North America Tour Dates

Rock

Toto has announced details on the band’s headline appearances in North America within the planned Journey itinerary from February through April 2024. Additional shows...

Rock Stars…Where Are They Now?

Where Are They Now?

W.A.S.P. was originally known for outrageous antics such as throwing raw meat into the audience and appearing to torture people on a horror-themed stage....

Winger...Where Are They Now? Winger...Where Are They Now?

Hard Rock & Metal

Winger released their debut album “Winger in 1988 and it scored the band its first platinum-selling album. Winger released its second album In the...

Britny Fox...Where Are They Now? Britny Fox...Where Are They Now?

Hard Rock & Metal

Britny Fox was formed in 1985 with “Dizzy” Dean Davidson on vocals, former Cinderella drummer Tony Destra, former Cinderella guitarist Michael Kelly Smith and...

badlands badlands

Hard Rock & Metal

After guitarist Jake E. Lee was fired from Ozzy Osbourne’s solo band, Badlands was formed when Lee recruited bassist Greg Chaisson, former Black Sabbath...

Hurricane...Where Are They Now? Hurricane...Where Are They Now?

Hard Rock & Metal

Hurricane started out in 1983-84 with the original lineup of lead vocalist Kelly Hansen (vocals/rhythm guitar), Robert Sarzo (guitar), Tony Cavazo (bass), and Jay...

Black N' Blue...Where Are They Now? Black N' Blue...Where Are They Now?

Hard Rock & Metal

  Black ‘N Blue was formed in 1981 and released four successful and critically acclaimed albums through Geffen Records including their self-titled debut (1984),...