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Schenker, Michael: Temple Of Rock - Live In Europe (Blu-ray)
 After what was a hugely successful comeback at High Voltage Festival in the summer of 2011, Michael Schenker set about re-launching his career with the Temple Of Rock album and tour. This live release, available in DVD, CD, Blu-Ray and a deluxe box set of all three formats, takes in the show from Tilburg with bonus footage from High Voltage itself. Schenker is on excellent form as anyone who witnessed a show will readily confirm and this is a fantastic document from what was one of the best shows I had the pleasure of attending in 2012.
Different line-ups were used as the tour traversed the globe and Europe got the former Scorpions pairing of bassist Francis Buchholz and drummer Herman Rarebell together with Wayne Findlay on keyboards and additional guitars and one-time Rainbow vocalist Doogie White. Sharp camera angles and crystal clear production bring the show to life in your living room as Schenker joyously rediscovers his back catalogue including MSG anthems 'Armed and Ready' and 'Cry for the Nations'. A healthy dose of Scorpions and UFO classics includes 'Lights Out', 'Holiday', 'Lovedrive' and the guitar showcase of 'Rock Bottom' and the good news is that the Temple Of Rock tour will continue through 2013 with UK dates commencing in April. The High Voltage footage is also well worth watching as the band are joined by an all-star cast of Rudolph Schenker, Pete Way and Jeff Scott Soto for the celebratory 'Doctor Doctor'. Stuck for what to spend those Christmas gift vouchers on? Temple Of Rock – Live In Europe offers the perfect solution.
Track List:-
LIVE IN TILBURG
1. Into The Arena
2. Armed And Ready
3. Lovedrive
4. Another Piece Of Meat
5. Hanging On
6. Cry For The Nations
7. Let Sleeping Dogs Lie
8. Coast To Coast
9. Assault Attack
10. Before The Devil Knows You're Dead
11. Lights Out
12. On And On
13. Let It Roll
14. Shoot Shoot
15. Rock You Like A Hurricane
16. Rock Bottom
17. Holiday
18. Blackout
19. Doctor Doctor
LIVE AT HIGH VOLTAGE
20. Armed And Ready
21. Another Piece Of Meat
22. Rock You Like A Hurricane
23. Hanging On
24. Doctor Doctor
"Michael Schenker: Temple of Rock - Live in Europe" is released on CD, DVD, Blu-ray and Ltd Deluxe Edition by inakustik. Schenker's Temple of Rock UK tour starts 9th April 2013. Book online: www.thegigigcartel.com, Ticket Hotline: 0844 478 0898. Further info: www.michaelschenkerhimself.com.
Added: February 17th 2013
Reviewer: Dean Pedley
Score:  
Related Link: Band Website
Hits: 3013
Language: english
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Schenker, Michael: Temple Of Rock - Live In Europe (Blu-ray)
Posted by Steven Reid, SoT Staff Writer on 2014-11-01 15:12:48
My Score:
If ever there was proof needed that the guitar legend that is Michael Schenker played a huge role in the creation of some of the best hard rock the world has ever seen, then this Temple Of Rock - Live In Europe set is it. Available as a twin CD, single DVD (which is the set I have been lucky enough to review), Blu-ray, or a deluxe 2CD-Blu-ray-DVD package, this live document recorded in Tilburg in The Netherlands, finds the Mad Axeman celebrating his past through the music he made famous. Six Scorpions numbers and five from UFO are joined by another six from the criminally underrated Michael Schenker Group, with a further two from Schenker's most recent album Temple Of Rock. That may just sound like an excuse for a greatest hits set - it is - but what a greatest hits set!
In recent times The Schenk has been touring with two different line-ups of his band, alternating between musicians depending on the mood that takes him. So for the main 19 song set on ToR-LiE, the fret-shredder is joined by fellow ex-Scorpions Francis Buchholz on bass and Herman "Ze German" Rarebell on drums, alongside guitar player and keyboardist Wayne Findlay (also of the band No Sky Today) and ex-Rainbow frontman Doogie White on vocals. The quintet make for a mighty force, tearing through the MSG classics "Armed And Ready", "Cry For The Nations" and "On And On", while the three Scorps clearly relish hammering through "Lovedrive", the ever beautiful "Holiday" and of course "Rock You Like A Hurricane". However it is the stunning renditions of "Let It Roll", "Rock Bottom" and set closer "Doctor Doctor" where Schenker really lets loose - leaving you in no doubt that the guitarist has left his all too well publicised demons behind him, firing out scintillating solos and the huge fat riffs that made his name all those years ago! Buchholz and Rarebell bring a chemistry that can only come from many years in the same line-up, while an ever so slightly chunky White commands the stage with his powerful classic rock voice and easy stage manner. Following singers such as Gary John Barden, Graham Bonnet, Klaus Meine and Phil Mogg is never going to be easy, but White handles all of the vocals expertly, especially on the UFO numbers. However the real ace in the pack is Findlay, adding huge guitar backing, classy keyboards and sharp backing vocals.
New track "Before The Devil Knows Your Dead" proves the this band can still hit the mark, while Mad Max singer Michael Voss (who is actually the main singer on the Temple Of Rock studio album) shows up to sing lead on the other newbie, the excellent "Hanging On". It is a genuine highlight in a fantastically strong set and while I'm a big fan of my fellow Scot, White, I have to say that Voss ups the ante in terms of stage craft and his voice adds a welcome commercial edge to proceedings. However no matter how good the other musicians on stage are, there's only ever one true focus of attention, and for all his previous misdemeanours, Schenker is still capable of amazing through his fretsterity and undoubted, shy charisma. It really is great to see him back on top of his game.
Sound wise the DVD is spot on, with a crisp, clear, sharp sound retaining enough oomph to make the songs rock, although a bit more volume from a muted crowd would have raised the atmosphere a little. Visually the numerous camera angles keep things interesting throughout, especially the shots from the neck of Schenker's guitar and buried deep in Herman's kit. And whether intentional or not, the wobbly, zoom-happy long shots add a huge amount of "I was there" feel to the DVD.
Now if all that wasn't enough, included on this DVD is also the five song set the band performed at last year's High Voltage festival in London. This time Schenker, Findlay and Rarebell are joined by bassist Elliott "Dean" Robinson and an on top of his game Voss, as they romp through "Armed And Ready", "Another Piece Of Meat", "Rock You Like A Hurricane", "Hanging On" and "Doctor Doctor". Admittedly all five songs also appear in the main set, but the contrast of a small sweaty club against a huge open air festival and of course a different frontman, offers a completely different take on the tracks. Then add to that Michael's brother and fellow Scorpion Rudolf Schenker turning up for the final three songs - although it is Voss who makes your jaw drop during his guitar solo on "...Hurricane" - before two Schenkers, Findlay, Rarebell, Robinson, Voss, UFO bassist Pete Way, Doogie White and singer Jeff Scott Soto (whose vocals actually steal the show!) cram onto the stage to make "Doctor Doctor" an absolutely phenomenal free for all. The High Voltage section may be a shorter set, but there's a strong argument to suggest that due to its sheer "event" status, it is actually even more enjoyable than the main performance.
The DVD has only one short bonus feature, which finds the band backstage having a laugh and relaxing before the Tilburg show, which while fun, you won't watch more than a couple of times, while the Blu-ray adds a 20 minute soundcheck. However the features on the Deluxe pack (which I haven't seen) do include over an hour's worth of exclusive features including a full rehearsal and Doogie White's "Impressions"!
This really is a fantastic set that illustrates the importance of Schenker and his contribution to rock music. Put simply, if you are looking for a celebration of all things Michael Schenker, MSG, Scorpions and UFO, Temple Of Rock - Live In Europe is it!
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Schenker, Michael: Temple Of Rock - Live In Europe (Blu-ray)
Posted by Pete Pardo, SoT Staff Writer on 2013-02-17 07:39:49
My Score:
The guitar legend Michael Schenker is back folks! After many years of inconsistent touring brought on by problems with the bottle, Schenker has seemingly gotten his life back in order and playing some of the best guitar of his life. Temple of Rock-Live is a red hot set recorded live in Tillburgh featuring the line-up of Schenker, vocalist Doogie White (ex-Rainbow, Tank, Demons Eye), ex-Scorpions members drummer Herman Rarebell & bassist Francis Bucholz, and keyboard player/guitarist Wayne Findlay. There are also a few bonus songs from the bands appearance at High Voltage in the UK from the same tour, with guests Michael Voss (who sings a few tracks in both sets and also appeared on Schenker's studio album Temple of Rock), Rudolf Schenker, Pete Way, and Jeff Scott Soto. Many of the Schenker classics are featured here, including "Armed and Ready", "Into the Arena", "Cry for the Nations", "Let Sleeping Dogs Lie" and a rousing "Assault Attack" (from the criminally underrated album of the same name) plus Scorpions favorites "Another Piece of Meat", "Lovedrive", "Holiday", "Blackout" and "Rock You Like a Hurricane".
Of course, you have to have the UFO staples as well, so look for "Lights Out", a furious "Shoot Shoot", "Let It Roll", the guitar showcase "Rock Bottom" and of course "Doctor Doctor", all featuring Schenker's blistering, melodic axe work. Available in Blu-ray, DVD, and CD, this is a welcome package for any Michael Schenker fan.
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