Award-winning, legendary guitarist Michael Schenker will release a brand new studio album entitled “Bridge the Gap” in the UK on Monday December 2nd. Released by in-akustik, the album features Schenker's band “Temple of Rock” which consists of ex-Scorpions Herman Rarebell (drums) and Francis Buchholz (bass), plus ex-Rainbow's Doogie White (vocals) and Wayne Findlay (guitar, keyboards).
The new album features 13 hard-hitting, adrenalin fuelled melodic rock'n'roll songs that showcase Schenker's distinctive and explosive guitar playing, valiantly underpinned by the ferocious rhythm section of Rarebell and Buchholz, marking the first time Schenker, Rarebell and Buchholz appeared on the same album together since the Scorpions' 1979 "Lovedrive".
Scottish vocalist Doogie White, who co-wrote the album with Schenker, soars across every song, and stamps his enthusiastic personality with every note and phrase. Wayne Findlay adds another dimension to the dynamic, classic Schenker sound with his Dean 7 string guitar and keyboard orchestrations.
“Bridge the Gap” is a thunderous, explosive collection of brand new songs steeped in shades of dark and light. Musically and lyrically, the new album shows a re-energised guitarist at the top of his game, surrounded by top drawer musicians.
The album was recorded from January to March 2013 at Kidroom Studios, Germany and was produced by Michael Schenker and Michael Voss, and engineered by Voss.
"Michael and I had talked about recording an album together after the tour of 2012", says Doogie White. "We never spoke about it again until January 2013 when he sent me seven ideas he had been working on".
"Last October I started writing the music for the new album", adds Schenker. "I sent material to Doogie in the New Year and he started writing melodies and lyrics. I laid down some arrangements at Michael Voss's studio. There was a lot of energy flying about during the recording process. I had the same drive making this album as I had when I was 16. I wanted it fast, heavy and melodic. It felt like bridging the gap from my teenage and “Lovedrive” years to what I am doing now. I'm back to where I was a long time ago and I love it".
"Never having really written with Michael before, apart from When the “Devil Knows You're Dead” (from 2011's “Temple of Rock” album), I didn't know how flexible he would be writing wise", recalls Doogie. I laid down some vocal tracks as ideas and when Michael heard them we were off and running. Within two weeks we were in the studio laying down tracks".
Schenker admits that when he wrote this album, he tried to get a balance between songs that are heavy, fast and melodic, complimented by his signature guitar solos.
"I wanted to combine the old with the new. That's why the album's called “Bridge the Gap”. With Wayne playing 7 string guitar we created some low, heavy modern sounds. Since I play and experiment on a regular basis, I always have some new, fresh sparks to share when I record a new album. I am inspired from within. It's infinite like a kaleidoscope".
"As former members of the Scorpions, Herman, Francis and I have been out of the loop of rock'n'roll for quite a while. Getting together for the first time since the “Lovedrive” album is an incredible jump. We're connecting the past with the present. We're bridging the gap".
Schenker remains philosophical about the name of the new album. He believes the name reflects what is going on in the fast-moving world around him.
"Everything that is currently going on in this world is showing that people are desperate for change. We need to bridge the gap of poverty. There are too many innocent people getting killed in terrorist attacks. We need to leave all of this chaos behind us. We have to be strong. We have to continue moving forward, working together in a balanced way."
Schenker is amazed how melodic the new album turned out, but he still insists the songs still feature a bit of darkness as well.
"I came up with the name of the album, before I even started writing. When Doogie started writing the lyrics to the new songs he had something to go by. I guess “Bridges Burned” is a new song that is something of a word play on “Bridge the Gap”. I love this song. Doogie's singing is excellent on this".
"“Horizons” is a really powerful and exciting track from the new album", says Schenker. "I love the energy and Doogie's great vocal lines".
"“Neptune Rising” is a song I wrote in the studio. It's about Wayne Findlay. He reminds me of a Neptune with his crazy hair and beard. One day I had this vision of seeing him with the Trident coming out of the ocean. Wayne loves water and the undersea world. So, I suggested that we design a guitar that looks like a Trident. The guitar is almost completed and will be called Trident and will be seen on our next tour."
"“Because You Lied” is completely of the wall. I love everything about it. I had a real blast playing the guitar solo. In general, on the new album I have injected each song with a new wave of lead guitar playing. It had a lot of fun making the entire album. Francis and Herman - the original Scorpions rhythm section of “Rock You Like A Hurricane” seriously rock on the new album".
Tracklist:
1. Neptune Rising
2. Where the Wild Winds Blow
3. Horizons
4. Lord of the Lost and Lonely
5. Rock n’ Roll Symphony
6. To Live for the King
7. Land of Thunder
8. Temple of the Holy
9. Shine On
10. Bridges We Have Burned
11. Because You Lied
12. Black Moon Rising
13. Dance for the Piper
14. Fait (vocals: Don Dokken) (bonus track)
All songs produced by:
Michael Schenker and Michael Voss
All songs are written by:
Music: Michael Schenker
Lyrics: Doogie White
Except: “Neptune Rising” (Michael Schenker)
Bonus track “Faith” appears on the Special Edition, featuring Don Dokken (vocals)
Doogie White’s Track by Track:
"I have a vocal studio at home. I received the tracks from Michael on the same day I started having construction done on the house. It was interesting to have no walls and lots of snow, no heating and zero temperatures and a hoard of builders staring in the windows. It's reflected in the lyrics... wind, cold and darkness".
“Where the Wild Winds Blow” is a perfect example. When chorus kicks in I can see the audience rocking out. I always try to write for the live environment. That's when the songs really come alive.
“Horizons” – We started playing it live on the last tour. Herman's drumming is awesome on this track.
“Lord of the Lost and Lonely” has a Celtic vibe about it and the riff rocks and rolls. The chorus just bursts out on this song out, and drives right through. It's that small voice in the back of your mind that you know you really should listen to but can't.
“Rock n’ Roll Symphony” features Wayne holding the tune down with the Hammond under Schenker's rolling riff. It's a celebration of rock'n'roll in all its guises. I took song titles and phrases from the wider rock community and wrapped them up into a lyric.
“Live for the King” - I was reading Richard Burton's Diaries and was thinking of how the stage, whether it is music, theatre or sport has a great hold on those who work it. It is hard to walk away when the spotlight dims. We don't do this for fame or fortune. We do it because it's who we are. It is our nature.
“Land of Thunder” - Another thunderously paced song with Herman and Francis slaying all comers with their driving powerhouse rhythm. The listener can take what they want from the lyrics - different days, moods, and interpretation. This song will be amazing live.
“Temple of the Holy” has sinister undertones. It's a mid-paced song with a heavy riff and a melodic solo dancing majestically through the middle.
“Shine On” - The melody over the riff is not what you'd expect, but it really works.
“Bridges We Have Burned” is the first song we wrote for the album. There is the chance, hopefully, of redemption for everyone. This was my way of asking for mine. If we can shake off our dark passengers, then, perhaps, the road may go on.
“Because You Lied” is the song that tested us all. It is so simple but so off the wall. I sang it live in the studio on a hand held SM58 in one take. We were not sure what was going on, really. Michael plugged in and had fun, too much fun. It's not typical of us, but it's cool.
“Black Moon Rising” - The drama at the end of the song says more about it than I ever could.
“Dance for the Piper” is the last song we wrote for the album. It's a rather splendid way to lead us forward banners held high, not into the sunset, but to new horizons.
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