MICHAEL SCHENKER'S TEMPLE OF ROCK - Spirit On A Mission

April 26, 2015, 8 years ago

(In-akustik)

Mark Gromen

Rating: 7.5

review hard rock riff notes michael schenker's temple of rock

MICHAEL SCHENKER'S TEMPLE OF ROCK - Spirit On A Mission

With former Scorpions rhythm section (Rarebell/Bucholz) in tow, the guitar maestro adds to his Temple Of Rock resume. Last thing one expects is the opening southern rock twang of “Live And Let Live”, which quickly develops into an upbeat shit kicker. “Communion” is a slow-to-midtempo bluesy rocker, surprisingly similar to material on his ex-UFO bandmates' latest, A Conspiracy Of Stars. “Vigilante Man”, short on lyrics, sees the namesake guitarist go off on his own. “Rock This City” is a double bass drum propelled number that fades out to a Schenker solo. A ploddingly heavy “Savior Machine” follows, closer to Black Sabbath than anything in the guitarist's canon. A hive of hornets buzz around the fretboard to begin “Something Of the Night”.

A more deliberate, orchestrated (not orchestral) “All Our Yesterdays” recalls reformed Deep Purple, even before the snippet of Hammond organ. A 4:16 riffing “Bulletproof” is a headbanger's delight, ditto the speedy 3:03 “Restless Heart”. How old is this guy? Amazing! Perhaps Micahel can give some of his secret Viagra (or whatever's fueling his fire) to his Scorpions' brother, Rudolf! The cello begun “Let The Devil Scream” morphs into a sludgy stomp and “Good Times” is an airy, sing-along. Disc closer, “Wicked” opts for unconvincing modern embellishments. A restrained (non-show off), song-oriented album from one of hard rock/metal's greatest (yet still under-appreciated) string-benders, the expanded version includes a bonus DVD.



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