Michael Schenker Group’s latest offering, Don’t Sell Your Soul, finds the legendary guitarist once again leading a formidable Hard rock charge.
Released on October 3, 2025, through earMUSIC, the album is presented as the second instalment in an inspired trilogy. It features a core band of longtime compadres, with Michael Schenker on lead guitar, Steve Mann on guitar and keyboards, Barend Courbois on bass, and Bodo Schopf on drums. The vocal talents are primarily showcased by the mighty Erik Grönwall (former Skid Row frontman), complemented by guest appearances from Robin McAuley, Dimitri “Lia” Liapakis, and Producer Michael Voss. A follow-up to 2022’s Universal, Don’t Sell Your Soul is a credit to Schenker’s steadfast vision, with nostalgic Hard Rock grit and his unmistakable melodic yet combustible fretwork.
Consisting of eleven songs, the opening track and album namesake, “Don’t Sell Your Soul,” drives the pace with a frenzied, chugging riff that instantly asserts a sense of retro MSG energy. Erik Grönwall’s vocals are authoritatively sturdy and clean, fitting the mid-level groove splendidly. The track serves as a mission statement for the record’s ethos, both musically and thematically, culminating in one of Schenker’s signature melodic solos, full of dart-like precision and soulful phrasing, that showcases his world-renowned ability to make a guitar sound like a vocal entity.
Moving on to the album’s third song, “Eye Of The Storm,” the intensity ascends considerably. This one features the distinctive voice of guest Vocalist Robin McAuley (which instantly evokes the late ’80s McAuley-Schenker Group era), giving it a wistful yet potent metallic edge. The rhythm section is tight as a bow-string and propulsive, with Bodo Schopf pounding a powerful drum pattern that shoves the song along with a deliberate, unyielding momentum, creating an early album highlight that feels epic and charged.
Reaching the halfway point of the record, “Sign Of The Times” is a song that edges into a more traditional Hard Rock feel, propelled by an exhilarating, head-down, charging riff. Michael Voss effortlessly handles the vocals on this cut, and the overall motif is one of unbridled Rock energy. The blend of Steve Mann’s keyboards adds an underlying depth beneath the guitars, ensuring the track is more than just a riff-fest, showcasing the band’s collective instinct and unity. Schenker’s guitar solo here is speedy but fantastically electrifying, underscoring his still world-class talents.
Later on, “It’s You” features a guest spot from Roberto Dimitri “Lia” Liapakis, whose delivery builds the intensity of the record. A gritty, slightly heavier tone, it is a straightforward rocker built around a pulsating rhythm. Proving that the MSG can deliver no-frills, high-quality Hard Rock with infectious simplicity, the fretwork from Schenker once again shines, providing scorching lead lines that elevate the composition.
This is while“Surrender” ends the journey on a frantic high note. Arguably the fastest and heaviest of them all, it is punctuated by a relentless double-bass drum attack from Bodo Schopf. The sheer pace of the song, coupled with an insistent, riff-laden structure, provides a strong, energetic conclusion. Erik Grönwall’s powerful vocals soar above the heavy instrumentation as the band goes full throttle, leaving the listener with the impression that Schenker and his crew are not content to rest on their laurels but are continuing to push the boundaries of their classic sound with passion and skill.
Overall, Don’t Sell Your Soul successfully balances modern production values with a nostalgic reverence for the classic hard rock sound. It serves as a strong declaration that, several decades into his journey, Michael Schenker remains a vital and highly relevant force, delivering a collection of songs that are both fiercely energetic and deeply melodic. It is a compelling and cohesive addition to the Michael Schenker Group’s storied history. Demonstrating their everlasting commitment to Rock and solidifying the ongoing legacy of one of Michael Schenker himself, Cryptic Rock gives Don’t Sell Your Soul 4 out of 5 stars.
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