vote
7.0
- Band:
Michael Schenker - Duration: 00:43:12
- Available from: 03/10/2025
- Label:
-
hemusic
The recent contract signed by Michael Schenker with Earmusic has given new lymph to the record path of the German guitarist, who has already put three albums on site, each dedicated to a different aspect of his fifty -year career. After the first chapter, a tribute to the years spent with the UFOs, the second album sees Schenker returning under the MSG Monicker, with a new unpublished album.
As is known, Schenker likes to collaborate with always different voices, and this time the role of main singer is entrusted to the former Skid Row Erik Grönwall, although, as we will see, there are also no other interventions. That Erik is equipped with an excellent voice is known, and we have also had further confirmation of it also in the recent Tour of Schenker himself. It is therefore not surprising to find him perfectly at ease even on the new material, where his stamp, at the same time velvety and powerful, finds an ideal location. For its part, the guitarist builds a handful of good songs, perfectly in line with his most recent record production, once again confirming the inspiration and talent of a musician who, despite the age, has not lost nail polish. Of course, we are not faced with songs destined to enter history as much as its classics, but listening is absolutely pleasant from start to finish.
Compared to the works published with Nuclear Blast and Atomic Fire, the cut chosen by Schenker looks more close to the sound of the 80s, with the typical ride (“Don't Sell your Soul”) alternating with involving and melodic Midtempo, such as “Danger Zone” or “I Can't Stand Waiting”. To give further variety to the album, then, some songs entrusted to other voices, more or less known to fans of the guitarist contribute. An veteran like Robin Mcauley, for example, embellishes “Eye of the Storm” and “Sixstring Shotgun” with his scratchy stamp; The producer Michael Voss lends his voice to a couple of songs, including the sinuous “Janey the Fox”, while Roberto Dimitri Liapakis of Mystic Prophecy fully convinces with his roca and dark voice in “It's You”. In short, Schenker always proves skilled in adapting writing to the voice that the song will interpret, allowing each singer to move in his ideal context without ever being out of place. The only flaw is the presence of some too many filler: compositions never insufficient, but sometimes written with the automatic pilot.
Overall, however, “Don't Sell your Soul” represents exactly what you can expect from one of the great names of world hard rock: a pleasant album, played with taste, well interpreted and capable of leaving us with curiosity for the third chapter of this unexpected trilogy.
Daniel D`Amico for SANREMO.FM
