When all is said an done, precious few guitarists can lay claim to having such impact and influence on the hard rock scene as Michael Schenker. Let's face it. we're talking bona fide exponents of the six string sting here - Hendrix, Blackmore, Rhoads, Van Halen, Young, an elite vanguard of formidable axe slingers, who in their time have sculped and moulded the rock guitar sound into the monolithic monument that it is today.
Schenker had learned his trade during the early seventies whilst performing alongside his elder brother 'Rudy' in an early inception of the Scorpions, establishing himself a weighty reputation along the way. He soon became the target of other bands interest and the teenage sensation was duly prised away to find fame and fortune with UK rockers UFO in 1974. Under theri guiding light he continued to develop his explosive style of guitar work that perfectly blended power and melody forming the rigid backbone of UFO's potent sound and illuminated classic albums such as 'Lights Out', 'Obsession' and the essential double-live offering 'Strangers In The Night'. Although events on the musical front were bonding cohesively, the pressures of life on the road for the teenage prodigy took ther inevitable toll on Schenker's self-destructive instincts which culminated in his departure from UFO in 1979, an event that had many fearing Schenker was to be another squandered rock 'n' roll casualty.

The cynics were silenced in September 1980 when Schenker triumphantly returned with the simply titled 'The Michael Schenker Group' album. The rejuvenated genius now appeared healthier and fitter than ever before. Indeed, his playing had benefited immensely from his new found zest for life. The album itself gave birth to many an instant rock classic; 'Armed And Ready', Cry For The Nations' and the sprawling riff-infested epic 'Lost Horizons'. Schenker's appreciation for both melody and passion shone throughout, and it's easy to see why he was voted 'No. 1 Guitar Hero Of All Time' in Kerrang! magazine the same year. By the release of Schenker's second album 'MSG' in September 1981 he had secured the service of the classic MSG incarnation with Gary Barden, ex-Rainbow skinsman Cozy Powell, former 'SAHB' bassist Chris Glen and erstwhile UFO colleague Paul Raymond on keys/rhythm guitar. MSG was once again cracking with vitality and invention, with Schenker delivering the goods on the likes of 'Attack Of The Mad Axeman', 'On An On' and 'Looking For Love'!!

During the subsequent world tour the overwhelming 'One Night At Budokan' was recorded and to this day it remains one of rock music's greatest yardsticks, though sadly it proved to be the band's swansong as the dismantled shortly after heralding the era of more patchy and erratic MSG line-ups. Although never quite reaching the heights of previous achievements, 'Assault Attack' [October 1982] nevertheless was a fine album. Schenker remained true to his ideals with his tight, forceful delivery oozing with passion and savagery. With Barden, Powell and Raymond absent it was left to ex-Rainbow warbler Graham Bonnet to do the honours, and what a fine job he did, his smooth yet powerful voice adding weight to such gems as 'Rock You To The Ground', Desert Song' and the melodic overkill of 'Dancer'. Fine support came in the shape of ex-SAHB tub thumper Ted McKenna and session man Tommy Eyns on keys.

In September 1983, 'Built To Destroy' had become the fouth studio album to bear the quality hallmark of MSG, yet it was greeted with much misguided critical derision, more due to the more commercial shift in direction than anything else, but scratche beneath the surface and you'll find an appealing and underrated MSG album !
Gary Barden had once again returned to the fold to handle vocal duties after Bonnet had been sacked after some unsavoury exchanges with Schenker at a warm-up gig at Sheffield University.
'Rock My Nights Away' opens the album at a pleasant bouncy gallop, with Schenker's beautifully solos suitably complementing the pop-kissed keyboard rhythms. A more traditional path is followed with 'I'm gonna Make Your Mine' and 'Dogs Of War' being neat and well measured melodic rockers, whit Schenker's guitar providing the right amount of necessary roughness, while the adventurous instumental 'Captain Nemo' shows off the talents of Schenker with a flurry of precise rhythms and scintillation solo work. Elsewhere, there's the muscular rock of 'Still Love That Little Devil', the epic rifferama of 'Red Sky' and the glorious balladry of 'Walk The Stage' where Schenker's contributions are just breathtaking!

'Built To Destroy' while not being the very best that MSG had to offer, still remains a vibrant reminder of one of hard rock's greatest bands and a fitting tribute to a master of his art blessed with sensitvity and passion in his unique style of playing. The world of hard rock is truly indebted to the talents of Michael Schenker.