It may just be me but the last few Schenker releases have been pretty damn good.
There are few rock guitarists on this planet who have had such a lasting influence on so many renowned musicians as Michael Schenker. With his outstandingly fluid style, inexhaustible wealth of ideas and instinctive feel for hooks and melodies, Michael Schenker is a living legend who, despite his longstanding and distinguished history, still impresses with his unflagging energy and drive. The blond stringsman from Sarstedt, Germany began his international career in the early 1970s with the SCORPIONS, achieved worldwide fame after joining British rock group UFO and then seamlessly continued his exceptional global success story under his own name, as well as with acts such as MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP (MSG for short), TEMPLE OF ROCK and MICHAEL SCHENKER FEST. Schenker and his career, which has spanned more than fifty years, are absolute exceptions in the otherwise short-lived music industry.
Now his latest MSG album is about to be unleashed, scheduled for release on Atomic Fire Records on May 27 under the programmatic moniker of "Universal". His latest offering will feature all the strengths of this exceptional musician: first-rate songs with anthemic melodies, catchy guitar riffs and inspiring solos. As we have come to expect from him, Schenker has once again enlisted a number of prestigious fellow musicians for the recording of his new studio production, among them, as main vocalist Ronnie Romero (RAINBOW, VANDENBERG), who will also be MSG's frontman on their upcoming tour, Michael Kiske (HELLOWEEN) and Ralf Scheepers (PRIMAL FEAR), keyboard player Steve Mann (LIONHEART), drummers Simon Phillips (TOTO, THE WHO), Brian Tichy (WHITESNAKE, FOREIGNER), Bobby Rondinelli (RAINBOW) and Bodo Schopf (ELOY), as well as legendary bassists Bob Daisley (BLACK SABBATH), Barry Sparks (YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, DOKKEN) and Barend Courbois (BLIND GUARDIAN, ZAKK WYLDE), with Tony Carey as a very special guest.
Like its predecessor "Immortal" (2021) and the MICHAEL SCHENKER FEST albums "Resurrection" (2018) and "Revelation" (2019), "Universal" was produced by Michael Schenker and Michael Voss (LESSMANN/VOSS, MAD MAX) at Voss's Kidroom Studio, which has become something of a creative home away from home for Schenker.
"Michael Voss is happy to wait until I have worked out an idea and takes the time to really get to know the song, simultaneously developing ideas for the vocals," Schenker describes the fruitful collaboration which has one cog intermesh with the other. "Then we work out the drums, bass and some keyboard parts together. He always has plenty of great ideas up his sleeve."
Compositional highlights abound on "Universal", from the haunting opener "Emergency" and the subsequent "Under Attack" with its casually driving groove to "The Universe", featuring an atmospheric duet by Ronnie Romero and Gary Barden, "Wrecking Ball", performed as brilliantly as ever by Ralf Scheepers, and "London Calling" with its homage to the British capital's musical spirit.
The rock anthem "A King Has Gone" and its intro "Calling Baal" both have a special significance: The track, sung by HELLOWEEN frontman Michael Kiske, is a tribute to the immortal Ronnie James Dio, in particular to his performance on the 1976 hard rock classic "Rainbow Rising". For this reason, Schenker has brought together an original RAINBOW rhythm section consisting of Bobby Rondinelli and Bob Daisley, additionally enlisting keyboardist Tony Carey, who also played on "Rainbow Rising", for a terrific Moog synth intro — a direct reference to the iconic intro of the 1976 album opener "Tarot Woman". The impressive result "Calling Baal"/"A King Has Gone" is already considered to be one of the most important and successful songs in Schenker's career to date, both musically and lyrically.
In line with all these highlights, the spectacular album cover designed by Zsofia Dankova (POWERWOLF, among others) features Schenker in a futuristic spaceship, floating high up in orbit. The artwork is based on the guitarist's own visions.
"I had the original idea for the album cover a few years ago, but only now does it seem to fit perfectly," he says. "So I sent some older sketches to my label Atomic Fire Records, and based on this the final artwork and album title were created."
Photo credit: Tina Korhonen
Is Metallica’s biggest hit a total fraud? Dave Mustaine just reignited the war of the thrash titans with a shocking claim that "Enter Sandman" was ripped off from an obscure 80s band! Mainstream metal media wants you to worship the "Black Album," but are you actually listening to a high-priced cover? Neeley and Chris expose the riffs that sound a little too "borrowed" and dive into the bizarre world of "Titar"—the viral Metallica "performance" that you literally cannot unsee.
– Dave Mustaine’s "Enter Sandman" Plagiarism Claim
– Excel vs. Metallica: Hear The Riff Comparison
– "TITAR": The Most Disturbing Metallica Cover on TikTok
– Convoy at 50: The Fake Trucker Who Conned the Charts
– CB Radio Filth: The Original 1970s Sexting
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"She got an MRI and it fucking lit her up. Yeah, well, of course. Metallic butt plug inside herself."
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We’re back and we’re going filthy, kids. This week, we unpack the story of a 22-year-old who got “metal up her ass” the hard way. If you think that’s bad, wait until you see the guy calling his Pomeranian his “daughter” on the nightly news while wearing a COVID mask in a smoke-filled fire zone. It’s the most faggoty thing we’ve ever seen.
We also tackle:
David Lee Roth living in an alternate universe where “Alligator Pants” are cool.
Ozzy admitting he can’t walk and will only do “bits and pieces” for his final show.
Tesla’s Brian Wheat starting a new band with Tommy Skeo despite years of “hating” him.
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Nazareth just pulled the ultimate Grinch move and fired their singer right before the holidays. No "future endeavors," just a cold-blooded "he's gone." Chris is dive-bombing into why this was so brutal and why Carl Sentence thinking he can pull off a solo tour is pure delusion. 😂🔥
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What’s the most cold-blooded band firing you’ve ever heard of?
Why is everyone still suing Michael Jackson's estate? Neeley and Chris are giving their honest take on the skepticism surrounding the latest legal battle and reviewing the trailer for the upcoming MICHAEL biopic. We're also talking about the tragedy of the woman who fell off the cruise ship and the infuriating new trend of "seat squatting" on planes. Finally, CMS Producer Weezie honors our lost friend, Bob Nalbandian. Share and follow for the metal-fueled truth! Get commercial-free episodes by joining Rumble Premium at https://rumble.com/premium. Hail and Kill! Join the rebellion!
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Seriously, how do you keep your music fresh when you're a band with a decades-long history? It's tough! Chris chats with Agnostic Front bassist Mike Gallo about their latest, ECHOES OF ETERNITY. They talk about the killer sound improvements, what it was like working with a legend like DMC for the first time, and the guts it takes to try new things as a legacy act. Don't just listen—hit that share button, follow us, and subscribe to Rumble Premium for more! Hail and Kill! Join the rebellion!
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What’s crazier: Lemmy destroying a multi-million dollar mixing board with a cheeseburger, or King Diamond getting $26,000 a year from his government just for being an artist? Neeley and Chris tackle these wild metal stories! We also review George Lynch's new single, which he released after admitting he totally lied about retiring. Hint: the guys are NOT impressed. Plus, check out the insane guitar talent from a young private school student. Like, follow, and share this video! Get commercial-free episodes and more by joining Rumble Premium at https://rumble.com/premium. Hail and Kill! Join the rebellion!
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Since Erik Ferentinos and I CLEARLY had a falling out, hate each other, and the truth that my schedule no longer allows me to commit to CAP LIVE anymore is just a lie, I’m forcing myself into a hostile guesting spot on my enemy Erik’s UNLEASHED show tonight at 8pm EST!
Seriously though, tune in tonight to ERIK FERENTINOS UNLEASHED for Erik’s always fun hangout… this time with lil ol’ me in the mix! Im appreciative to be on again with my good friend!
And to the dumb fuck trolls that know everything and literally got it ALL wrong, have an aneurysm, cunts!
Today, acclaimed singer, songwriter and front‑man of Christian rock icons Stryper, MICHAEL SWEET is proud to announce his new album, ‘The Master Plan,’ his most personal and spiritually resonant solo album yet. Set for release on April 3, 2026 via Frontiers Music Srl, this deeply worship‑inspired record marks a bold departure from his previous solo work — blending heartfelt devotion with fresh musical textures and melodic depth unlike anything SWEET has done before.
To celebrate the announcement, MICHAEL SWEET also shares the album’s title track alongside an official lyric video, available below.
MICHAEL SWEET comments:
“I can’t tell you how long I’ve wanted to make this record. I think I subconsciously started making it when I was a kid. All the music that has influenced me over the years is revealing itself on this album. It’s certainly not cookie cutter by any stretch of the imagination. It’s one of a kind and very...
Neeley and Chris Akin return for their 31st year with a scorched-earth premiere, shredding through the biggest lies in rock and pop culture. From the truth behind Chris’s supposed "abandonment" of Eric Unleashed to the blatant cash-grabs of legacy bands, nothing is off-limits. The boys dive into Vinnie Vincent’s latest financial scheme, Metallica’s potential plagiarism, and the "soft" decline of Gen Z.
The "Unleashed" Truth & Personal Revivals
Chris Akin sets the record straight regarding the internet rumors surrounding his departure from the live version of CAPS. Despite the keyboard warriors claiming a massive falling out with Eric, Chris confirms the split was purely due to a brutal new work schedule. Both hosts share their New Year’s goals, with Chris focusing on movement and Tai Chi to avoid the "fat man cutoff" at 60, while Neeley celebrates his progress on the elliptical.
Legacy Band Fraud & Plagiarism ...
