Michael Schenker’s Temple of Rock
Communion/Saviour Machine (Two-Track Single)
(inakustik)
Michael Schenker’s Temple of Rock is well-known not only for his releases but also for his remarkable live shows on the rock music circuit. It is clear that the Schenker family have music in their blood with his brother Rudolf Schenker forging a long and successful career in rock outfit Scorpions who headlined the first year of Ramblin Man Fair at Mote Park, Maidstone in July 2015.
Well now Michael has returned with his Temple of Rock and a new two-track single which is taken from his current album ‘Sprit On A Mission’.
The minute you press play, ‘Communion’ immediately establishes itself as a melodic arena rock number that you can’t help but nod your head to in a Wayne’s World like fashion. However, it is so much more than just a case of ‘look at the stage with the bright lights, dwarves and tiny Stonehenge’ as the chorus of ‘Give me the water! Give me the wine!’ is fantastic to sing along to and has radio airplay written all over it.
Ex-Rainbow’s Doogie White on vocals reminds me very much of vocalist and bassist Glenn Hughes in terms of delivery and something tells me that mass on a Sunday might be a little more fun if they played this as the congregation entered!
‘Saviour Machine’ has a swampy quality with the lead electric guitar as Schenker’s voice is manipulated to create an eerie and distant effect. The lyrics ‘Soldiers marching off to war. Wonder what the hell they’re dying for. So speaks the tongue of the liar!’ deal with harsh realities of going to fight for your country.
It seems a little bit safe for me though as it doesn’t seem to take any musical risks as such due to the fact that it sounds like it has stuck to a specific formula. That isn’t to say it isn’t musically well-executed but the tempo is a standard plodding tempo though the guitar parts are lively.
The rhythm section of Francis Buchholz on bass and ex-Scorpions Herman Rarebell on drums is solid throughout and I can definitely hear influences of Ritchie Blackmore and Rainbow on ‘Communion’. This release is exactly what a fan of Michael Schenker would expect and enjoy but that of course is no bad thing. ‘Communion’ is a very good song for people who haven’t heard any previous work by Michael Schenker’s Temple of Rock and want to understand what he and his band are about.
‘Saviour Machine’ would be perfect in a high-octane video game like ‘Call of Duty’ or ‘Halo’ as you can picture your character walking around a distant planet or underground sewers looking for aliens, robots, monsters etc. I look forward to Michael Schenker’s Temple of Rock touring the UK in January 2016.
Glenn Sargeant
Michael Schenker’s Temple of Rock’s new album ‘Spirit On A Mission’ is out now on inakustik.
Michael Schenker’s Temple of Rock will be embarking on a 10-date ‘Spirit On A Mission’ UK Tour in January 2016 with support from Venrez* at the following venues:
Wednesday 20th January 2016 – Robin 2, Bilston, United Kingdom* http://www.therobin.co.uk/whats_on/giginfo.asp?gigid=4163
Thursday 21st January 2016 – Holmfirth Picturedrome, Holmfirth, United Kingdom * http://www.picturedrome.net/tickets/Michael%20Schenker/20160121.htm
Friday 22nd January 2016 – Queens Hall, Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom * http://www.thequeenshall.net/whats-on/shows/michael-schenker-s-temple-of-rock-2016
Saturday 23rd January 2016 – The Ironworks, Inverness, Scotland, United Kingdom * http://www.ironworksvenue.com/event/michael-schenkers-temple-of-rock/
Monday 25th January 2016 – The Sage, Gateshead, United Kingdom * http://www.sagegateshead.com/event/michael-schenker/
Tuesday 26th January 2016 – O2 Academy, Liverpool, United Kingdom * /www.academymusicgroup.com/o2academyliverpool/search/node/michael%20schenker
Thursday 28th January 2016 – Academy 2, Manchester, United Kingdom * https://www.manchesteracademy.net/order/tickets/13305484/michael-schenkers-temple-of-rock-manchester-academy-2-2016-01-28-19-30-00
Friday 29th January 2016 – Rock City, Nottingham, United Kingdom * http://www.rock-city.co.uk/gig-guide/360/michael-schenker-s-temple-of-rock
Saturday 30th January 2016 – Islington Assembly Hall, Islington, London, United Kingdom * http://www.eventim.co.uk/michael-schenkers-temple-of-rock-london-Tickets.html?affiliate=RO2&fun=evdetail&doc=evdetailb&key=1389778$5504993&jumpIn=yTix&fromPromoWithEridRestriction=true
Sunday 31st January 2016 – Giants of Rock, Minehead, United Kingdom http://www.bigweekends.com/the-weekends/specialist-music-weekends/giants-of-rock.aspx
For more information visit: www.michaelschenkerhimself.com
(Thanks to Peter Noble at Noble PR for help with this review)
