Description
Product Description
Contents: Eternal guitar hero Michael Schenker releases a new album! Featuring a star-studded lineup of guest appearances including Gary Barden, Michael Kiske, and Ralph Scheepers. The tribute track to Ronnie James Dio, featuring former Rainbow members Bobby Rondinelli, Bob Daisley, and Tony Carey, is a must-listen! German guitar hero Michael Schenker releases a new album! This album, like his previous work "Immortal" (2021), is credited to the Michael Schenker Group. Since the Michael Schenker Fest, the participating musicians have been a major draw of his albums, but this latest work, titled "Universal," features an even more gorgeous lineup. The main vocals are handled by Ronnie Romero, currently one of the most sought-after singers in the heavy metal world, having appeared in Rainbow, Vandenberg, and Destinia. Furthermore, Gary Barden, a key figure in MSG, also contributes to the album. This alone would be luxurious enough, but the fact that Michael Kiske of Helloween and Ralph Scheepers of Primal Fear also participate makes it incredibly gorgeous. In addition, Simon Phillips, Brian Tichy, Bobby Rondinelli, and Bodo Schopf are on drums, and Bob Daisley, Barry Sparks, and Barend Courbois are on bass, making it look like an all-star band. Of course, this album is also filled with Michael's signature great songs, but the one that deserves special attention is "Calling Baal/A King Has Gone." This song is Michael's tribute to Ronnie James Dio. In particular, this song, which is dedicated to Ronnie James Dio's performance on "Rising" (1976), features Michael Kiske on vocals. Furthermore, former Rainbow members Bobby Rondinelli and Bob Daisley provide a solid rhythm section. The intro, which is an homage to "Tarot Woman" (from "Rising"), and the Moog synth on "Calling Baal," are played by none other than Tony Carey, who played on "Rising," which shows just how serious this tribute is. All in all, this album is packed with elements that will excite any HR/HM fan. It's hard to find a reason not to listen to it. Being able to hear a new Michael Schenker album for the second year in a row is a dream come true for any HR/HM fan. [Members] Michael Schenker (guitar) Ronnie Romero (vocals) [Rainbow, Vandenberg, Destinia] Michael Foss (vocals) Gary Barden (vocals) Michael Kiske (vocals) [Helloween] Ralph Scheepers (vocals) [Primal Fear] Barry Sparks (bass/keyboards) Bob Daisley (bass) [Rainbow, Gary Moore, Ozzy Osbourne] Barend Courbois (bass) [Blind Guardian] Simon Phillips (drums) [TOTO, The Who, Jeff Beck] Bodo Schopf (drums) Bobby Rondinelli (drums) [Rainbow, Black Sabbath, Quiet Riot, Blue ?yster Cult] Brian Tichy (drums) [Whitesnake, Foreigner] Steve Mann (keyboards) Tony Carey (keyboards) [Rainbow] [CD Track Listing] 01. Emergency Participating Members: Michael Schenker (guitar) Ronnie Romero (vocals) Simon Phillips (drums) Barry Sparks (bass) Steve Mann (keyboards) Michael Foss (chorus) 02. Under Attack Participating Members: Michael Schenker (guitar) Ronnie Romero (vocals) Bodo Schopf (drums) Barend Courbois (bass) Steve Mann (keyboards) 03. Calling Baal Participating Member: Tony Carey (keyboards) 04. A King Has Gone Participating Members: Michael Schenker (guitar) Michael Kiske (vocals) Bobby Rondinelli (drums) Bob Daisley (bass) Tony Carey (keyboards) 05. The Universe Participating Members: 06. Long Long Road Participating members: Michael Schenker (guitar), Gary Barden (vocals), Ronnie Romero (vocals), Bodo Schopf (drums), Barry Sparks (bass), Steve Mann (keyboards), Michael Foss (chorus) 07. Wrecking Ball Participating members: Michael Schenker (guitar), Ralph Scheepers (vocals), Bodo Schopf (drums), Bodo Courbois (bass), Steve Mann (keyboards), Michael Foss (chorus) 08. Yesterday Is Dead Participating members: Michael Schenker (guitar), Ronnie Romero (vocals), Bodo Schopf (drums), Barry Sparks (bass), Steve Mann (keyboards), Michael Foss (chorus) 09. Wrecking Ball Participating members: Michael Schenker (guitar), Ralph Scheepers (vocals), Bodo Schopf (drums), Barry Courbois (bass), Steve Mann (keyboards), Steve Mann (keyboards) 09. Yesterday Is Dead Participating members: Michael Schenker (guitar), Ronnie Romero (vocals), Brian Tichy (drums) 09. London Calling Participating members: Michael Schenker (guitar) Ronnie Romero (vocals) Bod Schopf (drums) Barren Courbois (bass) Steve Mann (keyboards) Michael Foss (chorus) 10. Sad Is the Song Participating members: Michael Schenker (guitar) Ronnie Romero (vocals) Simon Phillips (drums) Barry Sparks (bass) Steve Mann (keyboards) 11. Au Revoir Participating members: Michael Schenker (guitar) Ronnie Romero (vocals) Simon Phillips (drums) Barry Sparks (bass) Steve Mann (keyboards) [Worldwide Bonus Track] 12. Turn Off the World Participating members: 13. Fighter Participating members: Michael Schenker (guitar), Ronnie Romero (vocals), Brian Tichy (drums), Barren Courbois (bass), Steve Mann (keyboards) [Japan-only bonus track] 14. Help Participating members: Michael Schenker (guitar), Ronnie Romero (vocals), Brian Tichy (drums), Barry Sparks (bass/keyboards), Steve Mann (keyboards), Michael Foss (chorus) 15. London Calling (alternative vocal mix) Participating members: Michael Schenker (guitar), Michael Foss (vocals), Bodo Schopf (drums), Barren Courbois (bass), Steve Mann (Keyboard) Media Reviews and More: Eternal guitar hero Michael Schenker releases a new album! Featuring a star-studded lineup of guest appearances including Gary Barden, Michael Kiske, and Ralph Scheepers. The tribute track to Ronnie James Dio, featuring former Rainbow members Bobby Rondinelli, Bob Daisley, and Tony Carey, is a must-listen! (C)RS