Michael Schenker's Temple Of Rock - Bridge The Gap (2013) [Gorgatz]

Michael Schenker's Temple Of Rock - Bridge The Gap (2013) [Gorgatz]



- I N F O -

The new album features 13 hard-hitting, adrenalin fuelled melodic rock'n'roll songs that showcase Schenker's distinctive and explosive guitar playing, valiantly underpinned by the ferocious rhythm section of Rarebell and Buchholz, marking the first time Schenker, Rarebell and Buchholz appeared on the same album together since the Scorpions' 1979 Lovedrive.

Scottish vocalist Doogie White, who co-wrote the album with Schenker, soars across every song, and stamps his enthusiastic personality with every note and phrase. Wayne Findlay adds another dimension to the dynamic, classic Schenker sound with his Dean 7 string guitar and keyboard orchestrations.

'Bridge the Gap' is a thunderous, explosive collection of brand new songs steeped in shades of dark and light. Musically and lyrically, the new album shows a re-energised guitarist at the top of his game, surrounded by top drawer musicians.

It's as if legendary guitar hero Michael Schenker really wants to make the statement here that Bridge the Gap is indeed a 'band' effort, and not just a solo album. Calling his mates the Temple of Rock (also the title of his last album), the band consists of former Scorpions members Herman Rarebell (drums) and Francis Buchholz (bass), along with vocalist Doogie White (Rainbow, Tank, Yngwie Malmsteen, La Paz, Demon's Eye) and longtime buddy Wayne Findlay on guitar & keyboards. The title of the album refers to the 'bridging of the gap' between his old days in the Scorps with Herman & Francis, and the newer sounds that Findlay and White bring to the table. Bridge the Gap really does feel more like a band effort, and this formidable line-up have put together a batch of memorable tunes here, resulting in one of Schenker's better releases in quite some time.

White is a perfect choice for Schenker's style of hard rock & metal, and his powerful vocals are right at home on this album. Most of these tracks are melodic yet heavy hitting, with White soaring in fine fashion over crunchy riffs, pounding rhythms, and plenty of sizzling Schenker guitar solos. An ultra catchy chorus highlights the irresistible "Lord of the Lost and Lonely", while "Neptune Rising" and "Where the Wild Wind Blows" are just pedal to the metal heavy rockers in grand Schenker tradition. Wonderful riffs and Findlay's tasty Hammond organ permeate the chugging "Rock 'n' Roll Symphony", and the band almost channel vintage Rainbow on the majestic "To Live For the King", a track that features a particularly potent White vocal and killer axe-work from Schenker. The band goes for an almost speed metal intensity on "Lord of Thunder", with Rarebell & Buchholz working overtime, and "Shine On" offers more atmospheric elements, as White paints a poignant picture over ominous keyboards and Schenker's squealing solos and heavy riffs. "Black Moon Rising" again reminds of Rainbow to an extent, while "Dance of the Piper" and "Because You Lied" are classic Schenker fare, full of memorable melodies and red hot guitar licks.

I've been kind of hard on some of Schenker's releases in recent years, but I have to say he's totally on the right track here on Bridge the Gap. Let me rephrase that, 'they' are on the right track, as this is first and foremost a band effort, and this band is really, really good. Let's hope that this line-up stays together and can continue to build on what they've started here, as this is without a doubt one of the best bands that the German guitar god has put together in a long time, and as a result it's also some of the best material he's created in a long time.

Michael Schenker ... a name which still inspires grins of delight amongst fans of first-class hard guitar rock! The list of his successes is an extensive one, after all. As a young man he lent his very special sound, together with his brother Rudolf, to the Scorpions, which later made the band one of the first real international hard rock stars from Germany. In the 70s, he similarly helped the British rock legends U.F.O. to their definitive breakthrough, turning songs like "Rock Bottom” or "Doctor, Doctor” into hits everyone knows.Briefly returning to the familiar fold of the Scorpions, Michael's collaboration helped create possibly their best their album, "Lovedrive”, which includes the perennial ballads "Holiday”, "Loving You Sunday Morning” and "Always Somewhere”. In 1980 it was time for the blonde guitarist to go it alone and form the first band of his own, the Michael Schenker Group, or MSG for short. This is where some of the world's best musicians gathered, cavorting with founding members such as Gary Barden, Don Airey or Simon Phillips. Not forgetting that no one less that Roger Glover from Deep Purple manned the production console for the first record. Since then, the three letters MSG have become a synonym for honest, hand-crafted and impelling premium hard rock. The band leader has consistently demonstrated the highest level of creativity and pluck, also presenting his elaborate compositions acoustically, with and without his band. His career hit a new peak last year in Tokyo, where he gave a sold-out concert to celebrate the 30-year anniversary of the band, a concert which has been released by in-akustik as a double CD, DVD and Blu-ray disc.Now, after extensive touring, which also saw the band perform in the USA, and following a well-earned rest, Michael Schenker has returned with his group to add a new jewel to his creative work. And he has produced so many surprises that your senses will be overwhelmed! These surprises bring together Michael Schenker's past AND present perfectly. The old times are reflected in many of the guitarist's contemporaries from the various epochs. Names such as Pete Way, Wayne Findlay, Neil Murray or Chris Slade still represent the highest of standards and get the aficionados' heartbeats racing. One of the biggest treats is his collaboration with the former Scorpions drummer, Herman "the German” Rarebell, as well as his beloved brother Rudolf, on several of the songs. Michael has kept his promise of the "Schenker Brothers”. The fact that Michael not only plays the guitar on "Scene of Crime”, but also the flute as well, will raise quite a few eyebrows. Let's be honest: who would ever have thought that there would ever be another collaboration with Robin McAuley? "Lover's Sinfony” makes many a fan of their most successful period as the "McAuley and Schenker Group” feel that their dream has come true as well. And yet the list is even longer – Doogie White (former member of the Rainbow), Super drummer Carmine Appice or Elliott Tichy have also left their musical calling cards. Nevertheless, one name is missing in 2011, that being Gary Barden. The new voice on the microphone is, however, more than "just” a replacement, because during the last MSG tour, Michael Voss showed impressively just what he is capable of. The experienced producer and singer really doesn't need to prove anything to anyone, because his successes with Mad Max, Casanova or Silver, among others, speak volumes. And his voice is outstandingly suited to the punchy and compelling new tracks on "Temple of Rock”. Whether listening to the unadorned, melodious hard rock exemplified by "Saturday Night” or "How Long”, as well as bluesy sounds such as those on "With You” – the new album is largely distinguished by an immense enthusiasm for playing the guitar, its rich variety and the participation of international superstars. This album will finally induct MSG into the "Temple of Rock”!

- T R A C K L I S T -

1. NEPTUNE RISING
2. WHERE THE WILD WINDS BLOW
3. HORIZONS
4. LORD OF THE LOST AND LONELY
5. ROCK'N'ROLL SYMPHONY
6. TO LIVE FOR THE KING
7. LAND OF THUNDER
8. TEMPLE OF THE HOLY
9. SHINE ON
10. BRIDGES WE HAVE BURNED
11. BECAUSE YOU LIED
12. BLACK MOON RISING
13. DANCE FOR THE PIPER

Bitrate: 320 k
Genre: Rock
Size: 106.88 MB