What began as an already unforgettable moment at this year’s Wacken Open Air turned legendary when Michael Schenker stunned tens of thousands of fans with a major announcement. Following a blistering My Years With UFO set on Thursday night, the hard rock icon revealed that his new Michael Schenker Group studio album, ‘Don’t Sell Your Soul,’ is out now via earMUSIC. To top it off, Schenker and his band premiered the album’s title track live for the first time, closing their set with a powerful encore that electrified the festival grounds.
Earlier in the night, the Wacken faithful were treated to another surprise as Slash joined Schenker onstage for a searing rendition of the UFO classic “Mother Mary.” Two generations of guitar gods sharing the same stage — it was the kind of moment destined to live forever in metal lore.
‘Don’t Sell Your Soul’ marks the latest studio album from the Michael Schenker Group and the second part of a trilogy that began with 2024’s My Years With UFO. Produced by Schenker and Michael Voss, the album features longtime collaborators Bodo Schopf (drums), Barend Courbois (bass), and Steve Mann (guitar, keys), with Erik Gronwall on lead vocals and guest appearances by Robin McAuley, Dimitri “Lia” Liapakis, and Voss. Available now on CD, LP, and limited transparent red vinyl, the record is a fiery testament to Schenker’s unrelenting creative spirit and guitar mastery.
Track Listing (CD):
- Don’t Sell Your Soul
- Danger Zone
- Eye of the Storm
- Janey the Fox
- Can’t Stand Waiting
- Sign of the Times
- The Chosen
- It’s You
- Sixstring Shotgun
- Flesh & Bone
- Surrender