Fans of the legendary hard rock/metal master of the Flying V guitar Michael Schenker will be stoked at the release of this packed-to-the-gills set from the Michael Schenker Group, recorded live in Tokyo, Japan in 1997. The main portion of this DVD consists of 30 songs recorded on March 19, 1997 in Tokyo, and Schenker runs the gamut from his entire career with bands like the Scorpions, UFO, MSG, and Contraband. It's a 2 hour + performance, and contains such classics as "Too Hot to Handle", 'Rock Bottom", "Lights Out", "In Search of the Peace of Mind", "Attack of the Mad Axeman", "Assault Attack", and many, many others. For this set, singer David Van Landing fills the vocal slot, and he does an admirable job on the songs previously sung by Gary Barden, Phil Mogg, Klaus Meine, Robin McAuley, and Graham Bonnett. It's too bad Schenker didn't stick with this guy for too long, as he has the look and a great voice. While the sound and performance is great here, the camera work leaves a little to be desired, as it's basically a one camera shoot, and it goes from wide stage coverage to zoomed close-ups of Schenker and Van Landing. MSG are not the most visually appealing band, so unless you are a big guitar fan and love to see Schenker's hands flying up and down the fretboard (although don't expect any extreme close-ups) this might seem like a pretty bland show from a visual perspective. As far as the music goes though it is top notch.
The bonus material contains a ten song set from the 2000 tour of Japan, and here the video is even worse, seemingly shot from a camcorder at a great distance from the stage. Schenker though (with short spikey buzz cut) is in fine form, with virtually the same band as the previous set save for singer Keith Slack, who is not very good at all, especially on the older MSG pieces that were originally sung by Gary Barden. He does fare better on the newer Schenker pieces included here, like"Looking for Love" and "The Mess I've Made". There's also a cool interview with a bearded Schenker were he talks about his career, which makes for a nice companion piece to the recent Martin Popoff book on UFO if you have had a chance to read that.
Track Listing
1. In the Search of the Peace of Mind (Scorpions)
2. Doctor Doctor (UFO)
3. Let it Roll (UFO)
4. Natural Thing
5. Lights Out (UFO)
6. Only You Can Rock Me (UFO)
7. Another Piece of Meat (Scorpions)
8. Into the Arena (Michael Schenker Group)
9. Are You Ready to Rock (Michael Schenker Group)
10. Assault Attack (Michael Schenker group
11. Captain Nemo (Michael Schenker Group)
12. No Time for Losers (McAuley Schenker Group)
13. Save Yourself (McAuley Schenker Group)
14. All the Way from Memphis (Contraband)
15. Pushed to the Limit (UFO)
16. Written in the Sand (Michael Schenker Group)
17. Back to Life (Michael Schenker Group)
18. Love Never Dies (Michael Schenker Group)
19. Essence (Michael Schenker Group)
20. Never Ending Nightmare (McAuley Schenker Group)
21. Bijou Pleasurette (Michael Schenker Group)
22. Positive Forward (Michael Schenker)
23. Lost Horizon (Michael Schenker Group)
24. Too Hot to Handle (UFO)
25. Attack of the Mad Axeman (Michael Schenker Group)
26. Love to Love (UFO)
27. On and On (Michael Schenker Group)
28. Armed and Ready (Michael Schenker Group)
29. Feels Like a Good Thing (Michael Schenker Group)
30. Rock Bottom (UFO)
Bonus Footage - The Unforgiven World Tour, Japan 2000
Cry for the Nations,
Let Sleeping Dogs Lie
Rock My Nights Away
3 Fish Dancing
Pilot of Your Soul
In and Out of Time
The Mess I've Made
Hello Angel
Fat City
Looking for Love
Bonus Interview
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