Don’t Sell Your Soul by Michael Schenker Group (earMUSIC)

Don’t Sell Your Soul by Michael Schenker Group (earMUSIC)

Michael Schenker remains one of rock’s most iconic guitar virtuosos, with a legacy forged in the ranks of Scorpions and UFO. His solo work has been equally legendary, and Don’t Sell Your Soul is the latest sonic chapter in a career defined by electrifying riffs and timeless anthems. This new MSG release is jam-packed with hard-hitting rockers destined to become staples in the band’s live arsenal. Echoing the spirit of Schenker’s revered ’80s output, the album even features longtime collaborator Robin McAuley as a special guest on select tracks.

MSG has always been a showcase for powerhouse vocalists—McAuley, Graham Bonnet, Doogie White, Ronnie Romero—and now, Erik Grönwall (H.E.A.T., Skid Row) steps up to the mic for nearly the entire record. His performance is nothing short of stunning, with standout moments on Don’t Sell Your Soul, I Can’t Stand Waiting, and Sign of the Times. Fans of the McAuley-Schenker era will find plenty to celebrate too, especially with McAuley’s thrilling turns on Eye of the Storm and Sixstring Shotgun.

The 2025 MSG lineup is stacked: Bodo Schopf (drums), Barend Courbois (bass), and Steve Mann (keys) deliver rich, muscular performances that elevate every track. Produced in tandem with Michael Voss (Mad Max), Don’t Sell Your Soul captures the band at the peak of their creative powers. Expect this album to land on more than a few Top 10 lists when the year winds to its diabolical close.

There’s still plenty of heart and fire in the MSG legacy, and with Don’t Sell Your Soul, the mad axeman proves once again that his magic is far from spent—it’s raging stronger than ever!

(Review by Ken Morton)

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