Earlier in the year, MV saw Michael Schenker celebrating his time in UFO.
That set saw him knocking out one classic after another, but more than that, it showed Michael Schenker looking reinvigorated. That same energy is stamped all over “Don’t Sell Your Soul”.
From the moment the title track hits, it’s clear Schenker is back and firing, black furry hat jauntily perched on his head. Singer Erik Grönwall is perfect here too – the power in his voice gives the track real depth, while the solo is, of course, phenomenal. Did you expect anything else?
Schenker dazzles again on “Danger Zone,” a straight-ahead rocker. But as usual, he doesn’t stick to just one singer. Robin McAuley steps up for “Eye Of The Storm,” which carries a more power-metal dynamic.
At 70, you could forgive him for easing off and resting on his laurels. But does he? Behave.
Instead, the mid-paced blues and harmonies of “Janey The Fox” offer more twists and turns than you’d expect, and while “I Can’t Stand Waiting” feels more familiar, Schenker is magnificent at it.
There’s another change of vocalist for “Sign Of The Times,” with Michael Voss taking over, and it’s striking how much the dynamic shifts – yet MS always responds in kind. It’s as if the right singer always finds the right song.
Things get darker and more brooding on “The Chosen One,” with a touch of Dio about it, and then comes the surprise: a solo that bursts out of nowhere.
After that, you can picture everyone involved grinning through “For You,” which bounds along with pure energy.
The arguable highlight, though, is “Six String Shotgun.” McAuley is a fabulous singer at the best of times, but when he locks in with Schenker, there’s always something magical. This one is sprinkled with stardust.
Those UFO shows? The one MV caught was brilliant, and it’s not much of a leap to imagine Phil Mogg singing “Flesh And Bone.”
And while it might be a stretch to picture a mosh pit at a Schenker gig, there’s a certain chaos to “Surrender” that makes you think twice.
The truth is, Schenker is never waving the white flag – and he’s certainly not selling his soul. This superb collection underlines both points, and stands as his best record for a while.
Rating: 8.5/10
