Ever since last year’s release of the excellent Michael Schenker Fest ”Live” DVD/CD featuring the three divine vocalists that are Robin McAuley, Graham Bonnet, and Gary Barden along with the hugely talented Ted McKenna (drums), Steve Mann (guitar and keyboards), and Chris Glen (bass), I have eagerly hoped for and anticipated a brand new studio album by these gentlemen and it seems that my dream has come true. Fortunately, Doogie White (ex-Rainbow, Michael Schenker’s Temple of Rock) also appears on the disc and sounds as amazing as ever. Quiet the stellar line-up, eh?

The opening track, "Heart and Soul", featuring the brilliant Robin McAuley on vocals and a guest appearance by Kirk Hammett (Metallica) is without a doubt the most memorable song on the album. The riffs, vocal melodies, and arrangements are to die for here. Words fail your truly in this instance, so just do me a favor and check it out for yourself, okay? As to the album as a whole, it goes without saying that the musicianship is out of this world and that both the production and the album artwork are absolutely killer. This is as professional as it gets, folks. "Resurrection" contains loads of great tracks, most notably the hard-hitting "Warrior", the irresistible "Take Me to the Church", the driven "Night Moods", and the epic "The Girl With the Stars in Her Eyes". The fast-paced "Everest" is another treat with a lot of bite and potency to it while "Messing Around" is a bouncy and groovy piece There are so many wicked hooks, cool nuances, and skull-shattering riffs scattered throughout "Resurrection" that it borders on the surreal. Schenker sounds all fired up and full of vigor and energy while the rest of the magnificent crew are right behind him and deliver every single note passionately and with ounces of dedication to them. A few tunes are a little underwhelming or simply lack the bombastic and atmospheric qualities that the majority of other ones possess; "Anchors Away" sounds less than enthusiastic and does not really go anywhere while "The Last Supper" comes across as slightly dull and lifeless compared to the other songs. The standout cuts are most definitely the ones that McAuley lends his otherworldly vocal talents to, namely the aforementioned "Heart and Soul" as well as "Time Knows When It’s Time", but "Night Moods" featuring Mr. Bonnet is amazing too. Glorious stuff!

"Resurrection" may not be anything new or innovative as such, but the entire concept of having four individual vocalists on the album and the fact that everything sounds cohesive and coherent is fucking wonderful to experience. This is well-written and marvelous hard rock/heavy metal of the highest order. You need this one!

 

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