Award-winning, legendary guitarist Michael Schenker will release a brand new studio album entitled "Bridge The Gap" in the UK on Monday December 2nd. Released by in-akustik, the album features Schenker's band Temple of Rock which consists of ex-Scorpions Herman Rarebell (drums) and Francis Buchholz (bass), plus ex-Rainbow's Doogie White (vocals) andWayne Findlay (guitar, keyboards).
Listen to the world premiere of new song "Where The Wild Winds Blow" - http://snd.sc/18Rlbs0
The new album features 13 hard-hitting, adrenalin fuelled melodic rock'n'roll songs that showcase Schenker's distinctive and explosive guitar playing, valiantly underpinned by the ferocious rhythm section of Rarebell and Buchholz, marking the first time Schenker, Rarebell and Buchholz appeared on the same album together since the Scorpions' 1979 "Lovedrive".
"I wanted to combine the old with the new," says Schenker. "That's why the album's called Bridge The Gap. With Wayne playing 7 string guitar we created some low, heavy modern sounds. Since I play and experiment on a regular basis, I always have some new, fresh sparks to share when I record a new album. I am inspired from within. It's infinite like a kaleidoscope.
Continues Schenker - "As former members of the Scorpions, Herman, Francis and I have been out of the loop of rock'n'roll for quite a while. Getting together for the first time since the Lovedrive album is an incredible jump. We're connecting the past with the present. We're bridging the gap."
Watch the official trailer
ALBUM TRACK LISTING
NEPTUNE RISING
WHERE THE WILD WINDS BLOW
HORIZONS
LORD OF THE LOST AND LONELY
ROCK'N'ROLL SYMPHONY
TO LIVE FOR THE KING
LAND OF THUNDER
TEMPLE OF THE HOLY
SHINE ON
BRIDGES WE HAVE BURNED
BECAUSE YOU LIED
BLACK MOON RISING
DANCE FOR THE PIPER
FAITH (VOCALS: DON DOKKEN) (BONUS TRACK)
MICHAEL SCHENKER'S TEMPLE OF ROCK
THE MAKING OF THE NEW ALBUM
Michael Schenker and Herman Rarebell met on and off over the years and eventually decided to do something together. Schenker hadn't performed UFO material for a while, and decided to put a touring project together with Best of Michael Schenker material. Pete Way showed up at one of Schenker's MSG Shows and appeared to be in good spirit, and was invited to Brighton to jam together. At the same time, Schenker was about ready to start working on a new album. He went to a studio in Muenster to record a demo. Michael Voss was engineering and laid down guide vocals.
Schenker liked his voice and asked Voss if he wanted to do the singing. When Schenker finished the demo he played it to Pete and Herman. They liked what they heard and immediately offered to become the rhythm section. The result was 2011's "Temple Of Rock" album which featured lots of great guest musicians including Star Trek's Captain Kirk (William Shatner) who recorded the spoken word intro on the album. Schenker ended up playing on Shatner's solo album. Vocalist Doogie White also appeared on the album. Schenker wrote a song specially suited for Doogie's vocals - "Before The Devil Knows You're Dead".
The song became a favourite on the album and was A-listed on Planet Rock radio in the UK. When it was time for Schenker to go on tour, Michael Voss wasn't available, so he had to find a replacement.
Having Robin McAuley singing on one song, Schenker thought about having different line-ups between Voss, McAuley and Doogie (based on their availability). Voss toured with Schenker in Japan, McAuley toured with Schenker in the USA, and Doogie toured with Schenker in Europe.
Michael Schenker - Official Website
Michael Schenker - Official Facebook
inakustik - Official Website
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