Michael Schenker spoke to eonmusic about the new Micheal Schenker Fest album Revelation, his philosophy, and the pending anniversary of his debut recording with the Scorpions on the Lonesome Crow album.

About the new set: "You know, this is the first time I can play the whole album! When I usually go in the studio, I don’t really know how to play the songs because you spend so long in the studio, by the time you finish, you’ve done so many overdubs and stuff you don’t really know anymore; you have to actually listen back to it and learn again. I enjoyed it so much, it’s really enjoyable to play, and I’ve ended up learning the whole album. I’ve never done this in my life!"

On the formation of Michael Schenker Fest: "I realized; 'wait a minute; I have played the most popular music of Michael Schenker for so long with other singers; wouldn’t it be great to do it with the original singers in one go, all together?' So, I knew with Klaus [Meine, The Scorpions] and Phil Mogg [UFO], it would have been more difficult, but I thought maybe the ‘80s guys from MSG would be possible. So we called them up, and it was almost like they were waiting. They were really happy to do it, the same with the musicians."

On the forthcoming 50th anniversary of the Scorpions' Lonesome Crow album, Schenker was less than optimistic about the prospect of reconciling with brother Rudolph. Said Michael; "First of all, it has got nothing to do with Rudolph. I jump started the Scorpions with Lonesome Crow; it was more about Klaus Meine and myself, because Rudolph was not really doing anything, other than maybe doing a bit of management. He wasn’t really a musician, he just wanted to be famous, so he took care of the stuff that would lead towards this; that’s how he courted his favourite singer in the neighbourhood, and of course he knew that his brother was developing into a lead guitarist with worldwide potential."

Finally, on where he is in his life now: "Now, in the third part of my life, I can celebrate, because everything has been completed, and the good thing is, I get a lot of icing now. In my middle years, I built the foundation, I built the cake, and I can put the icing on the cake. Now I can make up for what I couldn’t hold for the ‘80s; I dress like an ‘80s rock star now, I drive a sports car, and I celebrate! So, I’m making up; I took care of the necessity first; I build my house on a rock, a good solid thing."

Read the full interview at eonmusic.co.uk.

Michael Schenker Fest will release their second studio album, Revelation, this Friday, September 20, worldwide via Nuclear Blast.

Revelation will be released on different formats and is ready for pre-order now. It will be available as CD digipak, 2LP (different colours) as well as a limited boxset incl. CD digipak, 2LP (red+black splatter), puzzle, poster 60x30, photo cards. Get your version here.

Revelation tracklisting:

"Rock Steady"
"Under A Blood Red Sky"
"Silent Again"
"Sleeping With The Light On"
"The Beast In The Shadows"
"Behind The Smile"
"Crazy Daze"
"Lead You Astray"
"We Are The Voice"
"Headed For The Sun"
"Old Man"
"Still In The Fight"
"Ascension"

Bonus:
"Armed And Ready" (live)
"Bad Boys" (live)
"Rock Bottom" (live)

"Sleeping With The Lights On" video:

"Rock Steady" video: