Jimmy Kay and Alan Dixon at The Metal Voice recently spoke with guitar legend Michael Schenker, who just released the new live CD/DVD On A Mission: Live In Madrid. The interview can be viewed below,a couple excerpts from the transcript follow.

On the Michael Schenker fest at this year's Sweden Rock Festival:

Schenker: “Michael Schenker fest having Gary Barden, Robin MCauley, and Graham Bonnet there and the original Assault Attack rhythm section line-up. This is the beginning of something bigger to come because I want to take things to the next level. I want to perform my past and present with the original singers and so the newcomers can experience the way it used to be and so that means bigger venues, bigger shows.”

On the possibility of recording with the Scorpions again:

Schenker: “No, I can’t because I am very disappointed in Rudolf (Schenker/brother) by what I found out about Lovedrive (Deluxe Edition) bio. I was 23 when I finished with UFO, when Rudolf found out I had left UFO and Mathias (Jabs) who just joined could not do the album with the Scorpions to their liking, they asked me to help out. I came over and when I finished my work on the Scorpions Lovedrive album they didn’t want to let me go, they got rid of Matthias. They basically persuaded me to be in the Scorpions after the Lovedrive recording, and all the management in America were very interested in wanting to sign the Scorpions. I started touring but after two weeks I could not do it I went away and was too shy to confront them. I couldn’t do it. My brother found me, he called me back, he cried on the phone and it was so embarrassing I came back a second time. After the second time I realized, this is not it . I need to stop this and I went away again. I found out they got Matthias back.

Later, I get a phone call from Rudolf (asking) if I would let him play my black and white guitar design, I said okay. He also asked me if I would give him the songwriting credit for 'Coast To Coast'; all the melodies were written by me and I didn’t pay attention. I was the six part (member) of the Lovedrive album and I have a contract everything was divided by six.

So when they approached me just recently for the Scorpions (Lovedrive) Deluxe Box, I found out that they put a bio out that was completely the wrong story. I found out there was nobody credited for what I wrote on 'Holiday'; it’s the intro to 'Holiday', 45 seconds long, that intro that I wrote. And then Rudolf asked me to give the melodies for 'Coast To Coast'. And those two things were the most tastiest and the easiest parts to copy because Rudolf is not really a great guitarist. And all the managers finding out they wanted to sign that band the Scorpions that I was part of, I guess he figured how he can misrepresent and fool people all these years because I didn’t pay attention until just recently. There was not a picture of me on Lovedrive, there was no mention on 'Holiday' who wrote and played that intro and of course Rudolf persuaded me to give him the 'Coast To Coast' melody. I must say I am now finding out more and more weird stuff about Rudolf. I have to stay away from him and I can’t trust him anymore, period.”

Michael Schenker’s Temple Of Rock will release On A Mission: Live In Madrid on CD, DVD and Blu-ray on April 27th in Japan, April 29th in Europe, and May 6th in North America via Inakustik. The set was recorded on November 19th, 2015 at Joy Eslava in Madrid, Spain. A video trailer can be found below.

Besides the Double CD, Blue-ray and DVD-version there is also a Limited Edition Collector's Box available. It is limited  to 5000 copies worldwide and provided with an individual serial number.

A summery follows: What on the surface might appear to be a platitude, is a serious invitation for the fans of the “Mad Axeman” and one they are happy to take him up on. Where else could aficionados of high-class guitar rock see such an emotional and energetic show? And one featuring a lineup that leaves connoisseurs of the international music scene rapturously clicking their tongues in appreciation.

During their world tour of 2015/2016, the lineup set up their Temple Of Rock in the Joy Eslava theatre in central Madrid. Michael Schenker and his crew chose this unique location with care for the recording of this concert. The musicians clapped along with the fans as they sung along to hits old and new with great enthusiasm. All musical phases of Michael Schenker's career were included and the evening became a joyful party as well as a clear message of how positively Michael Schenker's music can enrich the listener's life.

Michael Schenker played various guitars, including for the first time his new double-neck Flying-M with 2 necks, each with 6 strings, with each neck tuned differently.

Tracklisting:

Disc 1
“Ocean Odyssey” - Intro
“Doctor Doctor”
“Live And Let Live”
“Lights Out”
“Where the Wild Winds Blow”
“Natural Thing”
“Before The Devil Knows You're Dead”
“Victim Of Illusion”
“Lovedrive”
“Coast To Coast”
“Vigilante Man”
“Rock My Nights Away”

Disc 2
“Saviour Machine”
“Too Hot To Handle”
“Only You Can Rock Me”
“Lord of the Lost and Lonely”
“Rock You Like A Hurricane”
“Rock Bottom”
“Horizons”
“Attack Of The Mad Axeman”
“Communion”
“Blackout”

Disc 3:
“Searching For Freedom” – Outro

Bonus Material:
- Rehearsal
- Before The Show
- Soundcheck
- Individual interviews with each band member

Musicians:

Michael Schenker – Guitar
Doogie White – Vocals
Wayne Findlay – Guitar, Keyboard
Francis Buchholz – Bass
Herman Rarebell – Drums

Trailer:

More info and audio clips at this location.

Schenker has put together a very special show, Michael Schenker Fest, for this year’s Sweden Rock festival, taking place June 8th - 11th in in Sölvesborg, Sweden.

Michael Schenker Fest will feature three original MSG singers - Gary Barden, Graham Bonnet and Robin McAuley. Also on board is Ted McKenna (drums), Chris Glen (bass) and Steve Mann (guitar / keyboards). Combined, these men are responsible for such albums as Michael Schenker Group (1980), Assault Attack (1982) and Save Yourself (1989). Expect to hear a multitude of classic tracks.

Michael Schenker Fest will take place on June 11th at Sweden Rock Festival. More festival details at this location.