What was already a standout moment of this year’s Wacken Open Air, the world’s largest metal festival, turned into something even bigger when Michael Schenker pulled a surprise no one saw coming.
After delivering a fierce “My Years With UFO” set to tens of thousands of attendees on Thursday night (July 31),the architect of hard rock used the world’s loudest stage to announce that a brand new MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP studio album, titled “Don’t Sell Your Soul”, will be released on October 3 via earMUSIC.
To mark the occasion, Schenker and his band closed the show with a world-exclusive live premiere of the new album’s title track — a powerful encore that took the Wacken crowd by surprise and was met with instant enthusiasm on the muddy festival fields.
Earlier in the set, the Wacken faithful had already been treated to a once-in-a-lifetime moment: GUNS N’ ROSES guitarist Slash walked on stage as a surprise guest, joining Schenker on the UFO classic “Mother Mary”. Two of rock’s most iconic guitarists side by side — a scene few will forget.
“Don’t Sell Your Soul” is the latest studio album by the MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP and the second part of an album trilogy that began with 2024’s “My Years With UFO”.
“Don’t Sell Your Soul” was produced by Schenker and Michael Voss, and recorded with Schenker’s longtime allies: Bodo Schopf (drums),Barend Courbois (bass) and Steve Mann (guitar, keys). On vocals is the impeccable Erik Grönwall, former SKID ROW singer and undoubtedly one of the best rock voices of his generation. There are also guest vocal appearances by Robin McAuley, Roberto Dimitri “Lia” Liapakis and Voss.
There are guitar gods — and then there’s Michael Schenker. From his early breakthrough with SCORPIONS and his groundbreaking work with UFO to the formation of the michael schenker group in 1979, Schenker has been a benchmark for the evolution of hard rock and metal. Decades later, MSG remains a vehicle for his uncompromising artistic vision, and “Don’t Sell Your Soul” is its latest manifestation.
01. Don’t Sell Your Soul
02. Danger Zone
03. Eye Of The Strom
04. Janey The Fox
05. I Can’t Stand Waiting
06. Sign Of The Times
07. The Chosen
08. It’s You
09. Sixstring Shotgun
10. Flesh And Bone
11. Surrender
Michael Schenker Group – Don’t Sell Your Soul 2025
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