MICHAEL SCHENKER FEST Premiere ‘The Beast In The Shadows’ Lyric Video
May 13th, 2020
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Michael Schenker Fest, spearheaded by German hard rock guitarist Michael Schenker, have released an official lyric video for the track ‘The Beast In The Shadows’, which can be viewed below.
Speaking about the song and video, Michael Schenker said: “Even if we’ve had to postpone concert dates and even if we have to stay home right now – lets never give rock’n’roll a break in our lives! I’m hoping to cheer up all rock fans out there with our new video for ‘The Beast In The Shadows’, one of my favourite songs from my latest Michael Schenker Fest album Revelation.
“It’s a great song that contains a very heartfelt performance from Graham Bonnet, and the video shows Graham in an even more heartfelt fashion. It’s a fantastic video with some very pure emotions being expressed by Graham. This song also presents the other side of the album – there are many upbeat rocking tracks that have not yet been heard by some listeners, by those who haven’t heard the whole album. I am very excited about the Revelation album – it’s one of my best to date. Listen to the album and you will see what I mean. Keep on rocking and stay safe. All my best to you and enjoy.”
Michael Schenker Fest issued second full-length studio album Revelation on September 20th, 2019 through Nuclear Blast Records.
Revelation was produced by Michael Schenker and Michael Voss, and was recorded and mixed by Voss at Kidpool Studio Greven and Kidwood Studio in Münstertal, Germany between December 2018 and March 2019.
“Michael Voss is a fantastic musician with great input as a co-producer,” Schenker said. “Our chemistry is something else. We have a way of working together that is extremely creative.”
Revelation was mastered by Christoph ‘Doc’ Stickel for CS Mastering in Vienna, Austria. Additional recordings were completed as follows: Simon Phillips’s drums were recorded by Jason Mariani at Brotherynstudios in Ojai, California. Bodo Schopf’s drums recorded by Rolf Munkes at Empire Studios in Bensheim, Germany. Graham Bonnet’s and Robin McAuley’s vocals were recorded by Jimmy Waldo at Where’s That Track Studio in Los Angeles, California.
“Based on the fun that we had recording Resurrection, the success of the album and the surrounding tours we undertook that were just fantastic, I was deeply inspired to make a start on writing new songs for a new Michael Schenker Fest album,” said Schenker. “It is even a step up from Resurrection, with amazing input from all singers and all musicians. I could not ask for a better result. The songs are blazing, snappy, energetic, melodic and with drummers like Simon Philips and Bodo Shopf, we got amazing results. This time we even managed to record three great mid-tempo songs with all singers involved, singing their hearts out.”
Regarding the title of Revelation, Schenker said: “The album title and cover concept expresses things that have happened in my past as well as what is still happening at the present time. It’s about passion and purity versus greed and corruption. There is much to say. It’s about time I let people know about some of this.”
Besides the four vocalists – Gary Barden, Graham Bonnet, Robin McAuley and Doogie White – Schenker also recruited Ronnie Romero to guest on one track. “An incredible thing happened; we had this song that was ready to be worked on and Michael Voss suggested Ronnie Romero from Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow, who Voss had worked with in the past, to sing on this song as a guest,” Michael said. “What came out of it was classic. Amazing vocals with blazing music that absolutely rocks!”
Cover artwork duties fell to Zsofia Dankova. The oil painting-style cover that recreates the ancient crucifixion scene. Michael Schenker, as Jesus, is crucified on a giant Flying V guitar. As the Romans raise the legendary German axeman, his band members, filling in for the Apostles and dressed in full metal regalia, are being held back by the Roman warriors.
“It is a fantastic artwork and a great cover. A picture tells all!,” said Schenker. “The album title and cover concept express things that have happened in my past as well as what is still happening in the present. It’s about passion and purity versus greed and corruption. There is much to say. It’s about time I let people know about some of this…”
The track listing is as follows;
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01. ‘Rock Steady’
02. ‘Under A Blood Red Sky’
03. ‘Silent Again’
04. ‘Sleeping With The Light On’
05. ‘The Beast In The Shadows’
06. ‘Behind The Smile’
07. ‘Crazy Daze’
08. ‘Lead You Astray’
09. ‘We Are The Voice’
10. ‘Headed For The Sun’
11. ‘Old Man’
12. ‘Still In The Fight’
13. ‘Ascension’
Bonus tracks
14. ‘Armed And Ready (Live)’
15. ‘Bad Boys (Live)’
16. ‘Rock Bottom (Live)’
Revelation will be made available in the following formats; digipak CD, 2LP (different colours), and in a limited box set version including the digipak CD, 2LP (red and black splatter), a puzzle, a 60×30 poster, and photo cards.
Directed by Robert J. Sexton, music videos were filmed for the tracks ‘Rock Steady’ and ‘Sleeping With The Light On’. In addition, an official lyric video was created for the song ‘Behind The Smile’. All three clips can also be viewed below.
Debut studio record Resurrection was released in March 2018 via Nuclear Blast Records.
Promotional photograph by Stephanie Cabral.
