Michael Schenker/Fukuoka,Japan 1983

After the release of MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP’s 3rd album “ASSAULT ATTACK”, the second Japan tour they conducted in January 1983, the first day of the tour at Fukuoka Sun Palace on January 13th, used a stereo soundboard sound source leaked by the people involved. It will be released as a 2-CD set. The sound source of this day is also famous for “GOD RETURNS” and its remastered version “GOD RETURNS REMASTER” (both are currently sold out and out of print), but this time we used a master that is even more advanced than the existing sound source, and there are also missing parts. It will be released as the definitive version of the supplemented sound source literally on the same day! Until now, much was unknown about M.S.G.’s live performances from August 1982 to early 1983 after the release of “ASSAULT ATTACK,” but recently the sound sources have been sorted out. Immediately after Gary Barden was brought back, the 1982 “Reading Festival” was included in the official live sound source “WALK THE STAGE”, and the collector’s item of the audience recording was also recorded in Germany immediately after the start of the European tour. Items to please fans continue to appear, such as “READY TO ASSAULT” which includes the Wiesbaden performance, and “NEWCASTLE 1982” which allows you to enjoy the Newcastle, England performance at the end of November. This work to be released this time should be positioned as a major live sound source on the “ASSAULT ATTACK” tour! At the beginning of the opening song “Ulcer,” the official sound of this work is the best listening experience, starting with the keyboard panning left and right. Already released titles such as “GOD RETURNS” had wonderful sound power, but this time the natural sound image without excessive equalization is impressive. Although the cheers of the audience are distant, this does not mean that the sense of realism is diminished, and the wide acoustics supported by the wide range create a solid atmosphere. Furthermore, in addition to Michael’s guitar sound, which is both easy to listen to and has a certain edge, the playing of all the members, which are properly mixed, is very clear, so even those who know this live from past titles will find this work refreshing. You’ll be able to listen to it again with a sense of familiarity. By being freed from the limiter, the high range does not change in quality, and even metal objects such as hi-hats and cymbals are stored with their sharpness and reverberations realistic. As a result, songs such as “Cry For The Nations” and “Attack Of The Mad Axeman” have improved dramatically, and you can now enjoy the melodious and dramatic characteristics of the songs even more. Of course, the direct feeling of the performance unfolding right in front of your eyes remains the same. The heavy song of “Rock You To The Ground”, which is the listening point of the same tour, and the guitar solo that Michael put into it will be reproduced with the greatest power from the left and right channels. From here, the guitar in the middle that flows through “Bijou Preasurette” and “Victim Of Illusion” to “Into The Arena” is especially wonderful in terms of play and tone, and listeners will fall in love with it. All Michael fans will be happy that “Into The Arena” from when Michael was listening to his most cutting-edge play has been preserved as a line source like this work! “Desert Song” is the highlight of this live performance. The combination of Michael’s lyrical phrasing and the solid rhythm section of Chris Glenn and Ted McKenna seems to spread the tense world of the song throughout the venue. The song is a number that requires a strong voice like Graham Bonnet, but Gary also does a better job here than “Rock You To The Ground” and properly applies his singing to the song. In the existing sound source, there was a fade between “Desert Song” and the following “Courvoisier Concert”, disrupting the flow, but in this work, it develops straight without any interruptions, and it is an advantage that can only be achieved by a top master. This is a point where you can feel the vintage feel. In addition, the partial omission due to the tape change that existed in the 2 minute range of “Lost Horizons” has been resolved in this work, making it possible to listen to it smoothly. Disc 2, starting with “Let Sleeping Dogs Lie”, is a series of songs suitable for decorating the climax of the live performance. In the intro of “Looking For Love”, the guitar is out of tune, and this part is a bit worth listening to. Of course, it doesn’t stay off forever, and from the point where the vocals come in, Michael also corrects his course. You can also clearly hear Andy Nye’s key points on the keyboard, enlivening the thrilling song idea and Michael’s solo. The closing of the main part of the set, where two songs “Armed And Ready” and “Doctor Doctor” are played in quick succession, is also a wonderful word. The two encore songs are “Are You Ready To Rock” and “Rock Bottom.” The wonderful guitar playing that can be said to be the true essence of Michael Schenker is an irresistible listen, and the speedy and sensational play of “Rock Bottom” in particular will give you goosebumps, and this scene will make any fan shiver! In addition, “Rock Bottom”, the latter half of which had faded out in the previous release, has been supplemented with a different sound source, achieving a recording that is more than 3 minutes longer than the previous release. Listeners can listen to the approximately 97-minute live show with the best groove until the end of the show. Although known as one of the best early M.S.G. live recordings, this masterpiece, which has been out of print for a long time and has been difficult to obtain, is now back with a completely new look and feel. This is a 2-CD set that we can confidently recommend not only to people who have never heard this performance before, but also to Schenker enthusiasts who know about the previous releases! Fans, please do not miss out on this master piece that has gained new color and life! Live at Sun Palace Hall, Fukuoka, Japan 13th January 1983 STEREO SBD Disc 1 (51:09) 1. Introduction 2. Ulcer 3. Cry For The Nations 4. Attack Of The Mad Ax Man 5. Rock You To The Ground 6. Bijou Pleasurette 7. Victim Of Illusion 8. Into The Arena 9. Desert Song 10. Courvoisier Concerto 11. Lost Horizons Disc 2 (46:01) 1. MC 2. Let Sleeping Dogs Lie 3. Looking For Love 4. Armed And Ready 5. Doctor Doctor 6. Are You Ready To Rock 7. Rock Bottom STEREO SOUNDBOARD RECORDING Michael Schenker – Guitar Gary Barden – Vocals Chris Glenn – Bass Ted McKenna – Drums Andy Nye – Keyboards