Phenomenal retrospective from one of rock's great guitarists
Renowned as a real guitarist’s guitarist, Michael Schenker’s career has been anything but boring. This ‘Best Of’ covers arguably the most productive era of his career, after leaving (and rejoining, and leaving) the Scorpions and forming the members-go-round that was/is the Michael Schenker Group.
The first three tracks are taken from the band’s eponymous 1980 debut album, and are a mixed bag. 'Armed and Ready' is a blazing opener that should intrigue even those who have never heard of Schenker, but 'Cry For The Nations' falls somewhat flat afterwards. Fortunately that doesn’t happen very often in this collection, which is a very neat introduction to Schenker’s solo work, and should inspire the casual listener to pick up an album or two (which should include his Scorpions and UFO work).
And that’s the crux: a retrospective of Schenker’s doesn’t feel complete without mention of his two most famous bands. But put that aside for a moment, and MSG’s work is just as good. The inclusion of MSG’s blinding live version of 'Doctor Doctor' is a welcome one, despite all this. Other standout tracks include 'Attack Of The Mad Axeman' and 'On And On' (both from MSG, 1981) and feature MSG’s original vocalist Gary Barden. The three tracks from Built To Destroy are just perfect blasts of metal heaven. There’s also a respectable showing of three songs from the Graham Bonnet-fronted Assault Attack album, so overall it’s a good mix of all the albums.
It’s not all album tracks, there are a couple of B-sides which, being B-sides, don’t really do Schenker’s work justice, but the live tracks 'Into The Arena' (also a B-side), 'Victim Of Illusion', and 'Doctor Doctor' are where the group come into their own.
More than a slice of eighties metal nostalgia, it’s a journey full of screaming guitars and heavy beats, from one of the leading lights of the era. And hopefully it’ll encourage a whole new generation to listen to this amazing talent. Doesn’t hurt that it’s timed to coincide with Schenker going out on the road again, either…